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Request A Call HereWhen an unexpected accident happens and someone gets injured, healthcare workers are there to help them recover. And every day, countless doctors, nurses, and other healthcare employees work together to save lives. However, these workers are just as vulnerable to injury as the rest of us. In fact, this industry has one of the highest injury rates of any field.
Hospitals, clinics, rehab centers, and other healthcare facilities are filled with workplace hazards that have the potential to cause serious injury or illness. When a healthcare worker gets injured on the job or contracts an occupational illness, he or she has the right to file for financial assistance in a workers’ compensation claim. These benefits cover medical expenses and a portion of lost wages, but it’s not always easy to receive the compensation you deserve.
Additionally, many healthcare workers may attempt to work through injuries when they should be taking time off to heal and rest. This is a reflection of the selfless nature of workers in this field, but it’s important not to force yourself to work when an injury is impairing you.
If you’ve recently been injured while working in healthcare and you’re unsure of what to do next, our experienced work injury lawyers can help. We’re prepared to assist you with filing an initial claim, appealing claims that have been denied, and pursuing additional forms of compensation, such as a personal injury lawsuit.
If you plan on Applying For Workers' Compensation As An Injured Food Service Employee, check out this link for helpful information.
If you’ve been injured on the job, there are always two key first steps for applying for workers’ compensation.
First, seek medical treatment for your injuries as soon as possible. Even if you think they may not be serious, it’s possible for injuries to develop slowly and get worse over time. Prompt medical treatment can help you recover faster, and it’s also important to begin documenting your injury and gathering medical evidence for your claim.
Second, you should complete an Employee Claim (C3) form and notify your employer of your injury as soon as you can. Include when where, and how you got injured or ill. In New York, you are required to begin this process within two years of your injury.
If your claim has already been denied, don’t panic. It’s common for initial claims to be denied. With the right preparation and guidance from an experienced work injury lawyer, you may have a good chance to file a successful appeal and receive the compensation you need. This may require gathering additional evidence, which one of our resourceful work injury lawyers can assist you with.
Workers in healthcare facilities are exposed to a wide range of hazards every day. While stressing safety standards is important, workers in the safest facilities are still at risk of being seriously injured or contracting a serious illness on the job.
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has identified the following healthcare industry hazards:
Remember that many work-related injuries and illnesses may develop slowly over time. This is common with illnesses like asthma and repetitive stress injuries, such as chronic lower back pain from regularly lifting and carrying patients. Regardless of the nature of your injury or illness, you are eligible for workers’ comp if it’s directly related to your job duties.
While you’re not permitted to sue your co-workers or employer for work injuries, you do have the option to file a personal injury lawsuit if a negligent third party caused your injury.
For example, in May 2017, two Illinois nurses were held hostage by an inmate who was receiving treatment at their hospital. This inmate stole a gun from the guard who was watching his room and held the two nurses held hostage for over 3 hours before SWAT team members killed him. The nurses have filed a lawsuit against the Kane County Sheriff’s Office and the guard who may have failed to adequately supervise the inmate.
This is just one recent example, but when anyone other than a co-worker or employee causes an injury due to negligence, they may be held liable in a personal injury claim.
In order to get the full compensation you’re entitled to without headaches from the insurance company, it’s best to have an experienced healthcare work injury lawyer to represent you throughout the process. A respected attorney can help you get your claim or appeal accepted so that you can focus on recovering from your injury.
At Banville Law, we have the experience and resources you need for a successful claim. Additionally, we can determine if you have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit, which can provide additional compensation for damages such as pain and suffering and loss of quality of life. Our firm offers free consultations and we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay us if we help you receive compensation.
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