Workplace Injury Lawyer in Greeneville, Tennessee
Did you suffer injuries at work in Greeneville, Tennessee? If so, dealing with a workers’ compensation claim might feel overwhelming, especially if there’s a long road to recovery ahead of you. The good news is that you don’t have to walk this road alone.
At The Terry Law Firm, our team is ready to handle the legal legwork while you recuperate. We understand the challenges you’re facing and are here to make things as simple as possible for you. Our Greeneville workers’ compensation attorneys have significant experience helping injured workers just like you seek the benefits and support they need after occupational injuries.
Why wait? Reach out to The Terry Law Firm today for a free initial consultation. Let our legal team help you take the next step to access the workers‘ compensation benefits you are owed after work-related injuries in Greeneville or elsewhere in East Tennessee.
What Is a Workplace Injury?
Accessing your workers’ compensation benefits starts with understanding what qualifies as a workplace injury. In simple terms, if you get hurt doing something for your job, it likely qualifies as a work injury – regardless of who was at fault for the accident. That includes accidents like slipping and falling at work or getting injured while using work equipment. It also includes conditions that develop over time because of your job duties, such as carpal tunnel syndrome from typing.
Notably, the injury must happen while you’re working or performing work-related tasks. If you’re injured during your lunch break outside of the workplace or while commuting to work, those situations generally don’t qualify. Also, your injury needs to be directly related to your job. For instance, if you hurt your back while lifting a heavy box for a work assignment, that’s likely a work injury. Understanding these distinctions can help you determine whether workers’ compensation is likely to cover your injury and the resulting medical expenses.
Types of Workplace Injuries
Workplace injuries vary widely depending on the job and the environment. Here are some common examples of injuries that often occur on the job:
- Lacerations (cuts)
- Contusions (bruises)
- Abrasions (scrapes)
- Sprains and strains
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Burns
- Electrical shocks
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Hearing loss
- Vision impairment
- Respiratory issues
- Skin diseases
- Heatstroke
- Frostbite
- Dislocations
- Poisoning from toxic chemicals
- Overexertion injuries
- Crush injuries
- Falling object injuries
Common Causes of Workplace Injuries
Every day, workers in a wide variety of industries face potential hazards that can lead to injuries on the job. Common causes of workplace injuries in Tennessee include the following:
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Falls from heights
- Overexertion
- Improper lifting techniques
- Being struck by falling objects
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Machinery accidents
- On-duty vehicle accidents
- Electrical accidents
- Exposure to hazardous substances
- Fires and explosions
- Exposure to loud noises
- Violence or assaults at work
- Animal bites and stings
- Cuts from sharp objects
- Getting caught in or compressed by equipment
- Extreme temperatures
- Poor ergonomics
- Lack of safety training
- Inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Unsafe work practices
Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits
If you get hurt at work in Tennessee, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if you’re an eligible employee. These benefits cover your medical expenses and replace a portion of your lost wages if you can’t work because of your injury. There are different types of potential benefits injured workers can get, depending on your situation:
- Medical benefits – Medical benefits cover all medical bills necessary for treating your work injury. You shouldn’t have to pay anything out of pocket for related medical treatments.
- Mileage reimbursement – Mileage reimbursement pays you back for travel to and from doctor visits and therapy sessions related to your work injury. Tennessee calculates this benefit based on a set rate per mile, which the state updates regularly.
- Temporary partial disability (TPD) – TPD benefits apply if you can return to work but can’t earn as much as you did before your injury. Tennessee will pay two-thirds of the difference between your average earnings before and after the injury in temporary disability benefits.
- Temporary total disability (TTD) – TTD benefits are for when you can’t work at all for a temporary period. They are worth roughly two-thirds of the average weekly wage you earned before the injury, up to a maximum limit set by the state.
- Permanent partial disability (PPD) – PPD benefits kick in if your injury results in a permanent disability, but you can still work in some capacity. The amount you receive depends on the nature of your injury and the average wages you earned before you got hurt.
- Permanent total disability (PTD) – PTD benefits apply when you cannot return to any kind of work due to your injury. Like TTD, you receive about two-thirds of your average weekly wage in PTD benefits. These payments last until you qualify for Social Security retirement benefits.
- Death benefits – If a worker dies on the job, their surviving family members can claim workers’ compensation death benefits. These benefits include a portion of the worker’s wages and money for funeral expenses.
When Do You Need a Greeneville Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
If you get hurt at work in Greeneville, one of the first things you should do is contact our work injury attorneys, especially if you’re considering filing a workers’ compensation claim. Our lawyers can provide the guidance and support you need during a confusing and stressful time.
Our experienced Greeneville workers’ compensation lawyers know the ins and outs of Tennessee workers’ compensation law, and we regularly handle the complex claims process for injured workers. We can determine the benefits you’re entitled to so you know how much your claim is worth. We can also file all the necessary paperwork on time and correctly, leaving you free to focus on recovering from your injury.
If your employer or their insurance company denies or undervalues your claim, our lawyers can argue for the benefits you are due. In some situations, a formal hearing might be necessary. You could also have options to appeal a ruling in court.
Our workplace injury attorneys can also analyze the specific facts in your case to determine whether you might also have a third-party personal injury claim against someone other than your employer and co-workers. If a non-employer third party did something wrong that contributed to your personal injuries at work, they could be held liable through civil litigation. Third-party personal injury cases could provide compensation beyond what is available from workers’ compensation.
Contact Our Devoted Team at The Terry Law Firm to Handle Your Case
Are you reeling from injuries sustained in a workplace accident in East Tennessee and feeling unsure about what steps to take next? The Terry Law Firm is ready to help you from start to finish.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a workers’ compensation attorney about your legal options for seeking the maximum benefits you deserve.