Being hurt at work can be a frustrating and overwhelming experience for people in Johnson City. An accident in the workplace can cause significant injuries, and you may wonder how you will pay for medical bills and cover your lost wages while you heal.
The Johnson City workplace injury lawyers at The Terry Law Firm are ready to help you pursue the workplace injury compensation you deserve from the workers’ compensation system and potential third-party personal injury claims.
Contact us now for a free consultation about your legal options following a workplace accident in Johnson City, Tennessee.
Selecting the Right Workplace Injury Law Firm
When you are injured on the job, you need a strong workplace injury law firm to help you secure the workers’ comp benefits you are eligible for in Tennessee. At The Terry Law Firm, we are passionate about helping injured workers in our community. We provide the courteous, personalized service you expect from a small-town law firm while delivering the resources and know-how of a big-city law firm.
Although past outcomes do not guarantee future success, our case results speak for themselves. For example, we secured $17.6 million for Berkline Manufacturing Plant workers who suffered hearing loss and $750,000 for a worker who sustained crush injuries while working on a defective machine for their employer.
Check out our many positive testimonials to hear what our clients have to say about their experiences with our law firm. For example, Sam, a former client, had this to say about working with The Terry Law Firm:
“One of the neat things, when you come into the office, is that you are cordially greeted and treated very professionally … [they are] upfront, very honest, very straightforward, and did a very professional job as well as a very personal job.”
Common Types and Causes of Workplace Injuries in Johnson City
Some common workplace injuries in Johnson City include the following examples:
- Deep lacerations and bruises
- Sprains and strains
- Fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Burns
- Hearing and vision loss
- Respiratory issues
- Dislocations
- Chemical exposure
- Injuries related to overexertion
- Crush injuries
What causes these injuries? Some common causes of workplace injuries include the following:
- Falls from heights
- Slip or trip and fall accidents
- Improper or repetitive lifting
- Being struck by a falling object
- Overexertion
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Electrical shock
- Fires or explosions
- Equipment injuries
- Lack of proper safety training
- Extreme temperatures
- Unsafe work practices and procedures
- Insufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) for the job
Workers’ Compensation Benefits for People Hurt at Work
If you suffer a workplace injury in Johnson City, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, assuming you are an eligible employee. Workers’ compensation benefits are intended to cover your medical bills and replace a percentage of your lost wages if you cannot work because of your on-the-job injury. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, meaning injured workers can recover benefits regardless of whether they or their employer was to blame for the accident.
A workplace injury attorney from The Terry Law Firm can advise you about the type of potential workers’ comp benefits you may be eligible to receive, depending on your circumstances. Some of the main categories of workers’ compensation benefits include:
- Medical benefits – If you are hurt at work, you should not have to pay out of pocket for your related medical treatment and bills. Workers’ comp should cover the treatment as long as an authorized treating physician relates the treatment to the work-related injury.
- Temporary partial disability (TPD) – Temporary partial disability benefits may be available if you can return to work but cannot earn what you did before your injury. Under Tennessee law, you will be paid benefits of two-thirds of the difference between your light-duty wages and average weekly wage, up to a capped maximum amount.
- Temporary total disability (TTD) – TTD benefits apply when you cannot work in any capacity for a temporary period. Temporary total disability benefits will be calculated as two-thirds of the average weekly wage you earned during the 52 weeks before the injury. TTD benefits are also capped at a maximum figure.
- Permanent partial disability (PPD) – You could be eligible for PPD benefits if your workplace injury results in a permanent disability, but you can still work in some capacity. The benefits you receive are up to two-thirds of your average weekly wage, subject to the type of injury you sustained (the body part affected) and your ability to return to your prior employment.
- Permanent total disability (PTD) – Permanent total disability benefits kick in when you cannot return to any work because of your injury. You can receive benefits until you qualify for Social Security retirement benefits.
- Death benefits – If a worker dies due to the injuries suffered on the job, the worker’s surviving family members can apply for death benefits. They will receive money for a portion of the deceased worker’s wages and burial expenses.
Potential Third-Party Liability Claims After Workplace Accidents
Sometimes, the circumstances of your workplace accident can warrant filing a personal injury lawsuit in addition to filing a claim for workers’ comp benefits. For example, if you were struck by a vehicle driven by a supplier on a construction site, your attorney may advise that you can pursue your losses in a third-party personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault supplier, in addition to the workers’ comp benefits you are entitled to.
A successful third-party personal injury claim could cover damages beyond the benefits workers’ compensation provides. For example, you could recover the full amount of your lost income and compensation for pain and suffering through a third-party claim.
An attorney with experience handling personal injury cases and workers’ comp matters from our firm can evaluate the unique facts of your case and advise you about your legal options for recovering maximum compensation from every available source. Rest assured, we are committed to helping you pursue the best result after your workplace injury.
Complications in Johnson City Workplace Injury Cases
In Johnson City, complications can arise in workplace injury cases, highlighting the need to have a skilled and knowledgeable workers’ comp lawyer on your side after your injury.
For example, disputes related to the severity of your injuries, issues with the timeliness of reporting the injury, and possible pre-existing medical conditions can all complicate your case. Repetitive stress injuries, a common workplace injury in Johnson City, and occupational disease claims may face challenges from insurance companies. Despite these potential obstacles, you can trust our attorneys will fight hard for you to secure all the benefits you are due.
How Our Workplace Injury Attorneys Can Help You
Being injured at work not only affects your physical health but also your emotional well-being. At The Terry Law Firm, we understand how intimidating navigating the Tennessee workers’ compensation system can be when trying to get back on your feet after a serious injury at work. With legal guidance from a workplace injury lawyer from our firm, you can be confident that all your questions will be answered through the process as we seek your best outcome.
Contact us today to speak to one of our workplace injury attorneys in a free consultation.