An Overview of Workplace Injuries
Occupational injuries can happen in any work environment, including offices, factories, and stores.
You don’t have to be on-site for an injury to be considered work-related. Any injury sustained while carrying out a task for your employer is considered a workplace injury, regardless of location.
Approximately 2.8 million nonfatal work injuries and 5,400 work-related deaths were reported in 2022 alone, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Work injuries can turn your world upside down, leaving you worried about your health and ability to provide for your family.
In some cases, workers’ compensation may be the best route to take after a work injury. However, in other situations, a workplace injury lawsuit — either by itself or along with a workers’ compensation claim — may be warranted.
Workplace injury lawyers can help those affected figure out their next steps after a work injury and fight on their behalf.
Get a free case review right now to learn about your legal options and see if you may be eligible for compensation from a workplace injury lawsuit.
About Workers’ Compensation
By law, most employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance, often referred to as “workers’ comp,” provides compensation if an employee gets hurt or sick at work.
Workers’ compensation benefits can help pay for:
- Medical expenses, like medications, therapy, and treatments
- Rent or mortgage payments and other living expenses
- A portion of your lost wages
Additionally, workers’ compensation can pay death benefits to the families of workers who’ve passed away due to work-related injuries.
Workers’ compensation is considered no-fault insurance, which means that employees are entitled to compensation regardless of who was at fault for the injury.
The workers’ compensation system can be confusing to navigate. Workplace injury lawyers can handle workers’ compensation claims for clients and file a workplace injury lawsuit on their behalf when appropriate.
Job injury lawyers can also help if your claim was denied or the benefits provided were insufficient.
What Is an Example of a Work-Related Injury?
Workplace injuries can range from mild to severe. In many cases, these personal injuries can cause permanent disability and emotional suffering and interfere with a person’s ability to work and enjoy life.
Some common workplace injuries include:
- Back and spine injuries
- Brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Cuts and lacerations
- Electrical injury
- Malfunctioning equipment
- Overexertion injuries
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Slip, trip, and falls
- Toxic exposure
- Vehicle accidents
- Workplace violence
- Wrongful death
Employees who work in high-risk industries like construction and manufacturing are especially at risk of sustaining an injury while on the job.
Even if you don’t see your exact injury on this list, an injury-at-work lawyer may still be able to provide assistance.
Call our workplace injury case managers (888) 726-9160 now for a free consultation.
Examples of Workplace Injury Cases
Workplace injuries occur in many different ways. In some cases, the injury happens immediately, like after a fall or a car accident. However, other work injuries or illnesses may develop over months or even years.
For example, an employee who has suffered long-term exposure to hazardous chemicals on the job may be diagnosed with cancer years later.
Some common workplace injury cases include:
- Heavy lifting accidents: Movers, warehouse workers, and others who are tasked with lifting heavy objects are prone to back injuries, especially when they lack adequate help or equipment.
- Machinery accidents: Equipment at construction sites, factories, and other industrial settings can cause serious injuries and even death. Machinery that hasn’t been maintained or lacks safety guards poses a high risk.
- Slip and falls: A leading cause of workplace injuries, slip, trip, and falls can happen due to wet floors, uneven surfaces, or cluttered work areas.
- Toxic exposure: Workers exposed to toxic substances, like asbestos or dangerous chemicals, are at risk of developing cancer and other illnesses later in life. Firefighters exposed to PFAS in firefighting foam, for example, face an increased risk of cancer.
- Other types of workplace incidents: Electrical accidents, fires, and workplace violence are just a few of the incidents that can cause physical injuries and psychological harm.
In some of these cases, you may be able to file a workplace injury lawsuit to pursue compensation and justice. You shouldn’t be burdened with medical bills and left unable to earn a paycheck for an injury that occurred while you were simply doing your job.
Steps to Take After a Workplace Injury
If you are injured in a workplace accident, there are steps you can take to protect your legal rights and give yourself the best chance of a successful workers’ compensation claim and/or workplace injury lawsuit.
1. File an Accident Report
File an accident report right away, even if you think your injury isn’t serious or don’t think you have an injury at all. This protects you if an injury develops after some time or a seemingly minor injury gets worse.
2. Report Your Injury
Notify your employer about your job-related injury in writing as soon as possible. This written record can be helpful if you choose to file a workers’ compensation claim or a workplace injury lawsuit.
3. See Your Doctor
Seek immediate medical care regardless of the severity of your injury. Some employers may require you to see a doctor to get your injury checked out and see whether you’re able to return to work.
4. Consult With a Work Injury Lawyer
Work injury lawyers are experts in workplace injury law and can help you figure out the best course of action. By working with an experienced attorney, you can make sure that your paperwork is filed correctly and that you get all the compensation you’re entitled to.
Workers’ compensation laws often have short deadlines, so it’s important to contact a job injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Don’t miss your opportunity for justice: Get a free case review now to see if you can work with a top workers’ compensation lawyer in our network.
Suing for Workplace Injury
In most work injury cases, employees receive benefits through their employers’ workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation typically shields the employer from being sued.
However, a work-related injury lawsuit may be appropriate in some cases.
- Your employer intentionally injured you. In this case, the injury must be caused by a deliberate act, not negligence.
- Your employer failed to provide workers’ compensation or has insufficient coverage to compensate you for your injuries adequately.
- A third party (like a co-worker, subcontractor, or defective product manufacturer) was responsible for your injury.
Depending on the circumstances, a workplace injury lawsuit may be filed instead of a workers’ compensation claim or in addition to one.
Lawyers for workplace injuries can review the facts of a case and determine if a work injury lawsuit is warranted. Learn about your legal options during a free case review.
Workplace Injury Laws
Although each state has different work injury laws, federal laws guarantee all American workers a safe workplace and provide other protections.
For example, you have the right to work on equipment that is safe and be protected from toxic chemicals. You also have the right to report an injury or illness and get copies of any documentation related to the incident.
If you believe your working conditions are hazardous, you may file a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and request an inspection.
OSHA makes it clear that firing, demoting, transferring, or retaliating against a worker exercising their legal rights is illegal.
How Long Do I Have to Sue for Work-Related Injuries?
Statutes of limitations set time limits for how long you have to file a lawsuit. These deadlines are different in each state, but they usually begin on the date the injury occurred or when the employee became aware of the injury.
Once the deadline expires, it’s no longer possible to file a workplace injury lawsuit.
These deadlines can be as short as 1 year, so your best course of action is to contact a lawyer as soon as possible after a work injury. They can provide legal advice and take steps to protect your legal rights if you have a case.
Find Workplace Injury Lawyers Near You
Workplace injuries can cause employees to suffer physically, emotionally, and financially. However, workplace injury lawyers may be able to help you secure benefits following an accident.
If you or a loved one has suffered a work injury or illness, LawFirm.com may be able to help you find top job injury lawyers in your area.
The workplace injury lawyers in our network:
- Are leaders in workers’ compensation law
- Can help employees in all states
- Have secured over $9.1 billion for those injured through no fault of their own
- Never charge any upfront or hourly fees
Call our case managers at (888) 726-9160 right now or fill out our form to take the first step toward pursuing the compensation you deserve.
Injury at Work Lawsuit FAQs
What is an example of a work-related injury?
Examples of work-related injuries include:
- Assaults
- Being struck or crushed by equipment
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Cuts
- Electric shocks
- Slips, trips, and falls
If you were injured at work, you may be entitled to compensation from workers’ comp or a lawsuit.
What is the employer’s responsibility when an employee is injured?
An employer’s primary responsibility is to ensure a safe workplace. If an injury does occur, the employer is required to work with the employee to file a workers’ compensation claim.
Federal law prohibits employers from taking adverse action against an employee for reporting an on-the-job injury.
What are the actions to be taken when an injury occurs in the workplace?
An injured worker should immediately report the injury to their employer and file an accident report. They should also see a doctor as soon as possible and document all aspects of the injury and medical treatment.
Finally, consulting with a workers’ compensation attorney to help injured workers understand their rights and legal options.
Can I lose my job due to an injury?
In general, you can’t be fired just for getting an injury at work, and your employer also can’t fire you for filing a workers’ compensation claim. However, they’re not required to hold your position open while you’re out with an injury.
It is possible for your employer to fire you for other reasons while your claim is open. If this happens, they will need to establish that the reason they let you go was unrelated to your workers’ comp claim.
Can I sue my employer for a workplace injury?
Yes, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against your employer in certain situations.
For example, if your employer intentionally caused you to suffer an injury, created an unsafe work environment, or if they lack adequate workers’ compensation coverage, you may be able to sue them.
How do I find good workplace injury lawyers near me?
LawFirm.com works with top work injury lawyers who have helped thousands of clients get back on their feet after a work injury.
These attorneys can help victims in all 50 states, and they never charge any upfront fees. Instead, they only get paid if they recover compensation for you, so there’s no financial risk to taking legal action.
See if we can connect you with a good workplace injury lawyer near you during a free case review.
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