After a work injury, it can seem like there’s nothing that you can do. Indeed, injuries suffered in the workplace can be devastating—but there’s something you should do in the aftermath of your injury that can make a big difference. Contacting an experienced work injury lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of this kind of litigation and maximize the compensation you receive.

If you or someone you love has suffered or died from a work-related injury in or around Memphis, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation.

What is a Work Injury Lawsuit?

Work injuries are protected under a collection of laws known as workers’ compensation laws. In most states, workers’ compensation is a mandatory coverage requirement. One of the most essential aspects of workers’ compensation is that benefits are paid to the injured worker regardless of whether or not their own negligence contributed to their injuries.

How Common Are Work-Related Injuries?

Of course, working in industry can result in a work accident, but some of the most at-risk for work injuries are construction workers, coal miners, and others who work with heavy machinery.

In 2017 alone, there were 5,147 workers killed on the job, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. That’s approximately 14 deaths each day. The largest percentage of these deaths were in construction, from major incidents like falling, being struck by an object, electrocution and being caught in-between objects.

How do I Maximize My Work Injury Compensation?

If you or a loved one has suffered from a workplace injury, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot undo the pain and suffering caused by a work accident, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Different states have variations of workers’ compensation regulations, including deadlines for making work injury claims. After suffering a work injury, make sure you check your state’s deadlines to determine the parameters you’re working with for reporting the incident and injury and then for filing the claim itself.

While some states allow several months for a worker to report an injury to their employer in writing, others require a written report in a matter of just a few days. The best practice is to check the deadline and report as soon as possible.

For filing the claim itself, this also varies widely from state to state, but is commonly between 1 and 2 years. In some states, the deadline is only a few months, so be sure to check your state’s laws for this information as well.

Contacting an experienced attorney as quickly as possible can be instrumental in facilitating this process. Benefits from a workplace injury lawsuit are directly related to the degree of injury, and consulting an experienced an attorney can help you maximize your compensation.

Filing a Work Injury Lawsuit

After a workplace injury, searching for the right attorney can add even more worry to your plate. To give you a head start in this process, we’ll connect you with a great Memphis work injury lawyer, Whitfield Bryson & Mason.