Traumatic Injuries Lawyer Princeton NJ
Law Firm with Offices in Hamilton and Pennington, New Jersey
Safety in the workplace is a critical concern for employees and business owners in industries across the board. Workplace accidents can slow production, increase costs, and, even more importantly, cause irreparable physical and mental trauma to those injured. Falls from ladders or scaffolding, machinery malfunctions, faulty equipment, slips and falls on slippery floors, faulty electrical wiring and grounding, under-maintained commercial vehicles, poorly secured stacked warehouse stock, broken stairs or ladders, and fires or chemical exposure can cause serious traumatic injuries.
If you suffered an injury as a result of any sort of trauma to your body while performing a work-related task, you may qualify for workers’ compensation. This is important because the consequences of a work-related accident can be severe. A work-related injury can result in significant medical bills, including emergency room care, surgery, and rehabilitation. Additionally, you might find it difficult to return to work because of your injury. While you are out of work, the medical bills can quickly pile up and create a difficult financial situation for you and your family.
Serious Injury Attorney Hamilton
Cohen & Riechelson is a highly respected law firm with a track record of success in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers have more than 40 years of experience assisting injured workers in Lambertville, Pennington, Edison, Ewing, East Windsor, Lawrence, and across New Jersey. Call (609) 528-2596 now to speak with a member of our litigation team and explore your legal options.
Traumatic Injuries More Common in Certain Occupations
According to the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, construction worker deaths have increased 41% since 2014. There are a multitude of scenarios that can go wrong on a construction site: collapsed scaffolding, falling objects, exposure to hazardous materials, malfunctioning equipment such as power saws and nail guns, and faulty motorized equipment such as cranes and bulldozers. Construction work requires physical exertion that can cause tears in the soft tissue in the joints and serious back and neck damage.
Truck and transportation drivers can experience traumatic injuries while on the road. In 2022, there were 14.6 deaths per 100,000 drivers, an 8% increase over those in 2021. Causes range from accidents loading and unloading vehicles to highway crashes. Tractor-trailer drivers may sometimes experience fatigue as the result of an overburdened route. There are restrictions and regulations regarding the number of consecutive hours a driver may be on the road, but sometimes drivers are pressured to bend the rules to move products more quickly.
Police officers and firefighters put their lives on the line for their communities daily. The sheer nature of their job can produce traumatic injuries. Burns from fires, gun violence, car accidents, explosions, and other dangerous circumstances can cause life-threatening injuries or death.
Electricians, welders, and carpenters are commonly exposed to hazards such as electrical shocks, burns, amputations, lacerations, severe burns, injuries from falling debris, and defective machinery, which can cause traumatic injuries.
Roofers face risks daily. They can fall to the ground from two or three stories, causing multiple fractures, back and neck injuries, and possible paralysis. Roofers use tools such as nail guns, saws, and tar. Because roofing is usually done in the summer, they work in hot conditions. They can get heatstroke, dehydration requiring IV fluids, or severe burns.
Individuals who work in manufacturing are also at high risk of traumatic injury. Faulty machinery, assembly lines, turning gears, and rollers set the stage for a severe injury.
Work-Related Traumatic Injuries in Mercer County, New Jersey
Certain jobs are physically demanding and place workers at great risk of injury. However, any type of job can potentially result in traumatic injuries. All it takes is one bad moment at work for you to suffer a serious injury. For example, you could slip and fall while walking in your office.
Some of the common injuries suffered by workers in New Jersey include:
- Back Injuries: Spinal cord injuries can cause paralysis, including quadriplegia and paraplegia. Even minor back injuries can result in chronic pain or loss of function.
- Neck Injuries: Slip and fall accidents in which the worker lands awkwardly can cause muscle strains in the neck. Damage to any part of your neck can cause serious health problems, including chronic pain.
- Head Injuries: In the worst cases, a traumatic brain injury can cause permanent brain damage.
- Shoulder Injuries: A torn rotator cuff can weaken your shoulder and cause severe pain.
- Knee Injuries: A sudden twisting motion while performing work-related duties can injure your ACL.
- Herniated Disc: A pinched nerve can cause pain in the injured worker’s neck, lower back, legs, or arms.
- Repetitive Trauma Injuries: When a worker has to perform the same tasks every single day, the cumulative trauma can cause serious injuries. These kinds of injuries include carpal tunnel syndrome and rotator cuff impingement syndrome.
- Bruising and Road Rash: If you have to drive a car as part of your job-related duties, you could be at risk of serious accidents which can result in road rash injuries. In the worst cases, this can result in deep tissue damage and permanent scarring.
- Amputation: If you work with heavy machinery, you could be at risk of catastrophic injuries that require amputation of an arm or leg.
- Death: The worst traumatic injuries can result in death. Fatalities are a serious concern in dangerous jobs like construction work and factory work.
Steps to Take after a Serious Work Injury
First, you should receive immediate medical care and then notify your employer as soon as possible. Seeking medical attention is primordial. The sooner you are treated, the better your outcome and the quicker your recovery. If your injuries are life-threatening and you are incapacitated, you should report the accident as soon as you can. It doesn’t need to be in writing, although it is better to have a record; it can be over the phone or in person. Then, you must be seen by a doctor who your employer provides. This is an error that many workers commit. If you need emergency medical assistance and there is no time to choose a medical professional approved by your employer, you should seek approved care as soon as possible.
According to your company’s policy, immediately report your injury to your employer or human resources department. New Jersey requires the injured party to report their accident within 14 days; however, three exceptions exist. If your employer witnessed the accident, you were unaware of the procedures necessary for workers’ compensation because your employer did not post any pertinent information, or you were incapacitated, you may not be subject to the rule.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Traumatic Workplace Injuries in Lawrence NJ
Injured workers are entitled to workers’ compensation in the form of medical benefits to cover the costs of all necessary medical treatment and hospital services. You might also be entitled to income benefits for your on-the-job injuries. If you suffer a significant work-related injury that prevents you from returning to work for an extended period of time, you may be eligible for long-term wage benefits. This includes temporary disability benefits and permanent disability benefits.
An attorney can help you win your claim and secure maximum benefits in your workers’ compensation case. Keep in mind that the New Jersey workers’ compensation process is incredibly complex and involves complicated legal procedures. An attorney can guide you through the legal process and make sure that you file all necessary documents and paperwork in a timely fashion. It is important for you to not miss any deadlines because there is a strict statute of limitations in workers’ compensation cases. An attorney can also help you provide the necessary evidence to bolster your claim and ensure that there is no doubt about its legitimacy.
Third Party Claims for Traumatic Work Accidents in New Jersey
Workers’ compensation damages are limited to medical bills, temporary benefits, and permanent disability. There is no option for pain and suffering. There are instances where you can file a third-party claim apart from your workers’ compensation claim if you can prove that someone outside your employer should be responsible for your injuries. For example, if you were injured in a car accident while making deliveries and the driver who hit you was negligent, you can sue them. It is important to note that the workers’ compensation insurance company will receive reimbursement for any payments made for your medical expenses or benefits if you receive a damages award from your lawsuit against the third party.
Proactive Measures for Work Injury Prevention
Employers should create an environment of safety by providing adequate lighting, maintaining equipment, and regularly providing adequate employee training regarding all safety measures. New Jersey employers must keep a log listing all work accidents or hazards and can use the accident book as a foundation for continued safety training. Employees must keep their work areas clean and free from spills and other hazards. They should report any malfunctions in transport vehicles, machinery, or industrial equipment. Additionally, they should never operate equipment under the influence of a substance when overly fatigued or improperly trained.
Contact a Hopewell Township NJ Workers’ Comp Attorney
You never want to manage your workers’ compensation case on your own. The workers’ compensation attorneys at Cohen & Riechelson will help you file a workers’ comp claim and get the compensation you deserve. Our workers’ compensation lawyers can obtain and organize the information you need and can organize your medical records, prognosis, treatment plans, and other crucial directives. You need to focus on your recovery without having the stress of worrying about how your bills will be paid. This is where we can play a pivotal role.
Our law firm has assisted countless injured workers after traumatic injuries in Robbinsville, Trenton, Princeton, Hamilton, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Burlington County, and New Jersey. Call us anytime at (609) 528-2596 to discuss your case, or email us to schedule a free consultation at our Pennington or Hamilton offices.
