Most people think of acute injuries, such as those caused by a fall, when they think of workers’ compensation cases. However, repetitive motion injuries can slowly cause debilitating pain and disability that could cause you to need a workers’ compensation attorney in Baltimore . This video explains more.

Repetitive motion injuries can be caused by repeated overexertion or repeating the same motions without adequate rest. A workers’ compensation attorney can help you file a claim if you are left unable to work because of a repetitive motion problem, as well as a temporary or permanent disability claim, as necessary. As with any workplace injury, consult with a workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.

If you sustain an injury while on the job, there’s no need to delay medical care because you’re concerned about sky-high hospital bills. If you’re an employee, rather than an independent contractor, you may be covered by workers’ compensation. A workers’ compensation attorney at a personal injury law firm can help Baltimore residents understand their benefits. Workers’ compensation will cover the full cost of medical bills related to the injury or illness. This includes diagnostics, in-hospital treatments, and medications.

Your workers’ compensation attorney can also help you recover a portion of your lost wages with a temporary disability claim if you are unable to work because of your injuries. In most cases, workers’ compensation carriers will pay about two-thirds of your average salary to compensate you for missed time at work. In some cases, injured workers may even receive rehabilitation and job retraining benefits. For instance, your injury may prevent you from performing your former job, but you may still be retrained to perform a different type of work.

Workers’ compensation provides invaluable protection for employees, but it isn’t generally well-understood. It’s often confusing for injured workers to navigate the claims process and determine if they’re being treated fairly or not. This is why it’s advisable for Baltimore-area workers to contact a workers’ compensation law firm. During a consultation, a workers’ compensation attorney can help injured workers find out the truth about the claims process.

Myth: Part-Time Employees Aren’t Covered

Part-time employees typically miss out on work-related benefits such as retirement plans and health insurance, but they are covered under workers’ compensation. However, as your workers’ comp attorney can advise you, independent contractors and freelancers are not covered.

Myth: Workers’ Compensation Only Covers Medical Bills

Your workers’ compensation attorney can help you with the claim for your medical coverage. The insurance carrier must pay for diagnostic tests, hospitalizations, and medical treatments, provided they arise directly from your on-the-job injury. However, workers’ comp also covers other losses. It will not pay the full amount of any lost wages you incurred during your recovery, but you should be eligible to obtain a portion of them. Income replacement benefits are available to workers who miss more than three days of work. If you miss more than 14 days of work, you can receive payment for the first three days of work in addition to the subsequent work days.

Myth: The Insurer’s Decision is Final

In some cases, the workers’ compensation insurance carrier may deny a claim. Claims may be denied if an injury is suspected of being caused intentionally or if it is thought that the injury did not arise out of the course of employment. Receiving notice of a denied claim does not automatically mean that you are liable for the medical costs, however. You have the right to hire a workers’ compensation attorney to file an appeal and represent you at the hearing.

Myth: Workers’ Compensation Only Offers Temporary Benefits

Workers’ comp does offer temporary disability benefits, but in the case of a catastrophic injury, long-term benefits may be available . Generally, you will be asked to undergo a medical evaluation to establish the nature and extent of your disability.

Many people only pursue a temporary or permanent disability claim for acute injuries. However, you can also visit a workers’ compensation law firm serving Baltimore to meet with an accident attorney about repetitive strain injuries. Any type of job and occupational industry has the potential to lead to repetitive use injuries. Since these injuries can grow progressively worse if left untreated, it’s advisable to consult a workers’ compensation attorney right away.

Watch this video for a brief introduction to repetitive use injuries in the workplace. You’ll hear some startling statistics about occupational injuries and you’ll learn about the areas of the body that are most often affected by them. This video also explains the types of repetitive movements that are likely to lead to injuries.

Employers are responsible for following OSHA guidelines to maintain a safe work environment. Even in a generally safe work environment, however, accidents can sometimes occur. If you sustain injuries at your job in Baltimore, a workers’ compensation attorney can help protect your legal rights. An accident attorney can ensure that you follow the necessary protocols to receive workers’ compensation benefits. In the event that your initial claim is denied, a workers’ compensation attorney can file an appeal on your behalf.

Repetitive Use Injuries

Many jobs require repetitive movements, such as bending and lifting, twisting and turning, and reaching and grabbing. Whether you work in a cubicle or on an assembly line, you could be at risk of repetitive use injuries. These can include carpal tunnel syndrome, back muscle strain, disc herniation, and tenosynovitis. While repetitive use injuries may not always be visible to the naked eye, they can be just as debilitating as a serious acute injury. Repetitive use injuries may lead to missed time at work and reduced quality of life. With the help of an attorney at law, you can obtain the benefits you need to rehab your injury.

Machinery Injuries

If your job requires you to use heavy machinery, your employer should have trained you to use this machinery safely. Your employer should also provide the necessary safety equipment, which may include safety goggles or face shields. Despite taking these precautions, workers may still suffer from serious injuries from machinery malfunctions or other problems. These types of injuries can range from minor lacerations to accidental amputations. Talk to your attorney if you think you may need to file a permanent disability claim in the wake of a serious injury.

Falls

Falls are another danger common to many workplaces . Falls may occur in cluttered hallways or aisles while carrying heavy objects, or while navigating a ladder or scaffolding. They can cause traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), bone fractures, internal trauma, and many other serious medical problems. After sustaining serious injuries in a fall, you may be out of work for quite a while.

If you have sustained a workplace injury, it’s in your best interests to consult a workers’ compensation lawyer located in Baltimore. Legal guidance is especially important if your injury is severe enough to require hospitalization. A workers’ compensation attorney can help you by filing a temporary or permanent disability claim on your behalf. You can prepare for your consultation with the workers’ compensation attorney by gathering together copies of your medical records, the incident report, and your medical bills. You should save all documents pertaining to your diagnostic tests, medications, lab fees, surgery, other medical treatments, and hospitalization.

When your workers’ compensation lawyer files the claim on your behalf, he or she will argue that your injury was a direct result of occupational activities. This is essential for your injury and hospitalization to be covered under workers’ compensation. In the event that your initial claim for compensation is denied, your workers’ compensation attorney can file an appeal on your behalf.

All employees have the right to a safe workplace. Regardless of whether a company has six employees or 600, employers have an obligation to exercise reasonable caution regarding potential workplace hazards. If you do sustain an injury while you’re on the job, you have the right to contact an accident attorney. An accident lawyer in Baltimore can file a temporary or permanent disability claim on your behalf. Your accident lawyer can also investigate the incident to determine whether your employer may have been neglecting basic safety protocols.

Identification of Potential Hazards

Every workplace has potential hazards. It’s the responsibility of the employer to assess what those hazards are. Some potential causes of injuries are common to most workplaces, such as slippery or cluttered floors that may lead to a fall. Others are specific to certain industries, such as the possibility of sharps injuries at a hospital or exposure to toxic chemicals at a manufacturing plant. To promote a safe work environment, employers may need to periodically assess new hazards and update safety procedures.

Proactive Approach for Injury Prevention

Another characteristic of a safe work environment is that the company encourages a proactive stance toward preventing injuries. An accident attorney may evaluate whether an employer has measures in place to prevent unqualified and improperly trained employees from performing dangerous jobs. All new employees should receive adequate training regarding safety procedures. They should be able to identify possible hazards and to know how to respond appropriately. Employees may need to undergo periodic training programs to refresh their knowledge and skills. These may include emergency preparedness drills. Additionally, employers should take a proactive approach toward equipment safety. Heavy machinery may need to be serviced on a regular basis and checked for possible malfunctions. Employers have the responsibility to ensure that each employee is properly equipped with protective gear and is compliant in using it.

Procedures for Incident Reporting

Regardless of the precautions a company takes to promote a safe work environment, accidents can still occur. It’s essential for human resource departments to make reporting procedures accessible for employees. Additionally, employees should be encouraged to report any potential hazards they notice in the workplace.

You may have heard that in criminal law, there are time periods within which a prosecutor might bring charges against a defendant for any particular crime. These time periods are known as statutes of limitations. The same principle applies to personal injury cases. Since there is a deadline to file a personal injury claim, it’s best to go to a personal injury law firm located in Baltimore as soon as possible after the incident occurred. Doing so will preserve your legal right to have a personal injury attorney help you seek justice.

Defining the Statute of Limitations

In many states, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is set at two years. However, Maryland allows most civil tort cases to be filed no later than three years from the start of the time period. In some cases, the deadline is shortened to one year. This applies to allegations of intentional personal injury, such as assault, rather than damages caused by negligence. If you do not act within this time period, you may forfeit your right to have a personal injury attorney file a claim on your behalf.

Establishing the Start of the Time Period

One step your personal injury lawyer will take is to determine when the statute of limitations for your case should have begun. In most cases, the statute of limitations logically begins from the date of the incident. For example, if you were struck by a car on January 1, 2016, the statute of limitations would begin on that date and run for three years before expiring. However, plaintiffs in personal injury cases do not always identify their losses on the same day during which they occurred. For instance, you may have slipped and fallen on someone else’s property. You may have thought you were fine initially, but then later you developed symptoms of a concussion. It is possible that the statute of limitations would begin on the date that you could reasonably expect to know that your symptoms were caused by the incident. However, it’s always best to consult an attorney at law sooner, rather than later, given that personal injury cases can take time to build.

If you’ve been hurt while on the job, a workers’ compensation attorney can help you obtain the compensation you’re entitled to receive. Your workers’ compensation law firm serving Baltimore may file a temporary or permanent disability claim on your behalf, depending on the results of your medical examination. Whether or not your disability is expected to be permanent directly influences the amount of compensation you might receive.

For instance, as your workers’ compensation attorney can advise you, you may receive up to two-thirds of your average weekly wages while you are on temporary total disability. However, this compensation is subject to a maximum limit of 100 percent of the average weekly wage in Maryland. If your workers’ compensation lawyer files a claim for a temporary partial disability, it means that you can still perform some work duties and so your compensation will be adjusted accordingly. For a permanent total disability, Maryland workers may receive two-thirds of their average weekly pay, subject to the maximum limit of the state’s average weekly wage.