Workplace injuries can be very serious and in some cases life threatening. Injuries at work are often debilitating. Taking time off to heal may result in lost wages, loss of advancement opportunities, as well as difficulty obtaining compensation for disability. If you think you may have a personal injury or workers’ compensation claim, you are urged to consult with a seasoned attorney as soon as possible. Whether you are located in Wyoming, Idaho or Utah, the Rocky Mountain Personal Injury Center attorneys are ready to serve you.
Workplace Injuries
Many workers are hurt on the job each year. In fact, OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, estimates that 2.8 million workers were injured in 2018 alone. The injuries range from small cuts and bruises to broken bones, severe head trauma, concussions, and permanent disability. If you were hurt on the job, you must notify your employer immediately. This allows your employer to complete a report, and begins the workers compensation process. While your eligibility for benefits is determined and your disability level is measured, you may be asked questions, potentially followed, your hours may be cut, or you could be laid off. It is illegal for an employer to lay off an employee due to an accident on the job in Wyoming, Idaho, and Utah. It is not illegal for an employer to investigate a claim, but that is why it is critical you hire an attorney to advocate for your best interests in workers’ compensation claims.
Why Workers’ Compensation is Different
Employers are required to maintain workers’ compensation insurance at all times. Utah Code Ann. § 34-A-201 (2019). Even if an employer has one employee, they still have to obtain coverage. In Utah, employees receive indemnity benefits based on basic premium rates. This is the key distinction between regular personal injury or accident claims and workers compensation claims. A personal injury claim value cannot be quantified because some cases end up with a jury trial, plaintiffs can sue for pain and suffering, and settlements can vary based on discriminating factors.
For workers compensation claims, the workers compensation commission determines the aggregate value for a digit (loss of a finger), limb (total loss/inability to use hands, legs, arms, or feet), temporary disability or permanent total disability. Premiums raise with the cost of living, but they do not vary from case to case or claimant to claimant. The key factors that make or break a workers’ compensation case is the ability to prove the accident occurred during the course of employment, without contributing negligence of the employee, and then to what level of disability the employee is now relegated.
Schedule a Consultation Today
If you were injured on the job, tell your employer, seek medical treatment, and then call an attorney. Our offices are always open, and we specialize in plaintiff’s personal injury claims, including workers’ compensation claims. We fight for you to obtain the compensation and justice you deserve. Do not hesitate to call our offices and schedule an initial consultation. You should not have to pay out of pocket for medical treatment from an injury caused by workplace defects or negligence. Call Rocky Mountain Personal Injury Center today.
