On-the-Job Injuries

Serving Chattanooga, Tennessee

Every day, hard working Americans are injured on the job.

While most employers are conscientious and ethical about providing their employees with a safe, clean environment, some, unfortunately, are not. Whether injuries occur as a result of ignorance, cost saving measures, or simple carelessness, injured workers need and deserve compensation for the damages they suffer.

Some workers suffer traumatic injuries from falls, equipment malfunction, or unsafe work environments. Others suffer from illness caused by environmental factors such as dangerous chemicals. Still others may contract repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) such as carpal tunnel syndrome from excessively repetitive movements performed as part of their job duties.

Traumatic injuries

These include:

• Falls due to slippery shop floors or lack of protective rails and harnesses when working at elevated heights
• Injuries from poorly maintained equipment, or from machinery on which safety features are removed or overridden.
• Injuries from falling objects
• Injuries from lack of training on the part of the injured party or others

Work related illnesses

Many workers have suffered serious and even deadly illnesses as a result of short term or prolonged exposure to dangerous substances in the workplace.

Some of the environmental toxins involved include:

• Benzene, a highly carcinogenic substance, frequently used in manufacturing environments
• Asbestos, a once popular insulating material, which has been shown to cause severe illnesses in people exposed to it
• Silica, a highly dangerous substance that, when breathed in, can lead to debilitating and deadly lung disease
• Toxic molds, which can lead to a wide range of long-term health problems

Repetitive stress injuries (RSIs)

Workers in office and manufacturing environments are particularly susceptible to this type of injury, caused by prolonged, repetitive movements. One of the most common types of RSI is a wrist injury: carpal tunnel syndrome. It is very common in workers who spend a great deal of time typing, and in meatpackers and assembly line workers.

Injuries covered

Tennessee state laws and federal laws limit the circumstances in which employers are required to compensate injured employees.

Generally, to make a successful claim for an on-the-job injury, you must have sustained the injury while performing your mandated job duties. Injuries sustained while off the clock, while violating the law, or violating company policy are not covered by workers' compensation insurance policies.

Damages

The costs of an on-the-job injury are extensive, and may include any or all of the following:

• Medical expenses for your lifetime
• Lost wages - called Temporary Total Disability or Temporary and Partial Disabilities
• Lost future earnings - called personal partial disability
• Future medical expenses
• Rights of Reconsideration

Free consultation

If you or someone you love has suffered from a workplace injury or workplace related illness, call or email our Chattanooga, Tennessee offices today. We'll discuss your case with you at no charge, and with no obligation to you, to determine if you have a valid legal claim.