The question of whether an injury or illness falls under the scope of workers' compensation claims often comes up when an employee suffers harm while on the job. Understanding the kind of injuries covered can alleviate some of the uncertainty you may experience when filing a claim. As a worker in Alabama, it's crucial to familiarize with the Alabama Workers’ Compensation Act, the primary law governing workers' compensation claims within the state.
According to the Alabama Workers' Compensation Act, a broad array of injuries may qualify for compensation. As a personal injury lawyer, Stephen Thompson, expertise in workers' compensation cases, can assist you in understanding these laws and navigating your claim.
The Alabama Workers’ Compensation Act primarily covers injuries that directly occur at the workplace as a result of the employee's work. Injuries may broadly range from minor sprains or cuts to traumatic injuries like amputations, severe burns, or even paralysis. Major accidents involving machinery or falls from heights are usual examples, but even seemingly small accidents, like slipping on a wet surface resulting in sprained an ankle, may also be covered.
Whether the employee was negligent, resulting in the injury, is generally not a factor in the compensation claim, as long as the injury occurred within the workplace premises and the course of employment. Keep in mind that the negligence factor might affect the compensation amount but shouldn’t disqualify an employee from claiming workers' compensation benefits.
The law also covers occupational diseases, illnesses developed due to exposure to certain workplace hazards. For example, individuals working in construction companies may be exposed to substances like asbestos or silica dust, leading to respiratory diseases. Health care workers may contract diseases due to exposure to infectious diseases. If the working environment or the nature of job predisposes an employee to certain illnesses, then any disease as a result of that exposure may be covered under workers' compensation laws in Alabama.
Contact us for your FREE Case Evaluation and get the ANSWERS you're looking for.
While not as obvious as workplace accidents or exposure to toxic substances, repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) can still develop because of your work, and are also covered under the Workers' Compensation Act. RSIs are consequences of repeated physical movements damaging tendons, nerves, muscles, or ligaments. A common RSI is carpal tunnel syndrome, often seen among employees requiring significant computer or typing work.
Repetitive lifting, long periods of standing, or any continual physical strain can result in RSIs. Proving such injuries can be challenging, as they are often cumulative and appear over time rather than resulting from a single, identifiable incident. However, with the guidance and assistance from an experienced workers' compensation lawyer like Stephen Thompson, demonstrating an RSI due to workplace conditions becomes easier.
Over time, workers' compensation coverage has evolved beyond physical harm to include psychological injuries triggered by workplace conditions. Workers suffering from stress, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder due to a traumatic incident at work or working conditions can also apply for compensation. These cases are often more challenging to prove and generally require an experienced lawyer to navigate them adequately.
In conclusion, many injuries are covered under the Alabama Workers’ Compensation Act – from immediate physical injuries to long-term physical and psychological debilitation. The complexity of workers' compensation claims process usually necessitates professional legal advice to ensure your rights are protected.
If you or a loved one are suffering injuries or illnesses related to your work, don't hesitate to seek legal advice. Alabama personal injury lawyer Stephen Thompson is ready to provide the guidance and representation you need. Armed with a depth of experience in representing workers' compensation claims, he strives to provide each client with utmost care and dedication. Contact Stephen Thompson today – you deserve the best possible legal advocacy for your Alabama workers' compensation claim.
TruckMax Denied Amendment to Challenge Plaintiff’s Capacity in Wrongful Death Case
Wrongful Death Award Reversed
Court Affirms Permanent Total Disability for Back Injury Despite Pre-Existing Injuries
No Evidence of Toxicity Exposure or Work-Related Disease
Court Rules Outrage Claim must be Joined with Original Wrongful Death Action
Procedural Dispute of Proper Court to review Exclusivity Provisions
Preexisting Condition Prevents Recovery of Permanent Total Disability Award
Court Upholds Ruling: 2019 Injury an Aggravation, Not Recurrence, Making Employer Liable
Employer's Appeal Denied Over Continued Medical Benefits for Injured Employee
Misrepresentation of Prior Injury Prevents Plaintiff's Claim for Benefits
Employer entitled to recover the full amount of workers' compensation benefits paid before the plaintiff's estate collected any funds from a third-party settlement.
Court Partially Upholds Employee's Compensation Claim for Injuries Sustained from Lifting Garbage Can
PTSD Claim Non-Compensable: Mental Disorders not caused by Physical Injury Fall Outside the Workers' Compensation Act
Court Affirms Decision that Madison County Commission Was Not the Claimant's Employer in Workers' Compensation Case
Court Affirms Wrongful Death Was Work-Related
Spouse of Deceased Worker Entitled to Benefits Accrued
Court Grants Thompson Tractor Company's Petition, Directing Dismissal of Asbestos-Related Workers' Compensation Action after Plaintiff's Death
Court Reverses Summary Judgment Against Employee Seeking Workers' Compensation for Scabies Contraction and Resulting Psychological Injury
Leesburg Yarn Mills Appeals Workers' Compensation Decision for Hood's Cumulative-Trauma Injury
Reed Contracting Services, Inc. Challenges Court's Decision Mandating Knee-Replacement Surgeries for Employee Due to Work-Related Accident
Fairhope Health & Rehab Challenges Compensation for Employee's Knee Replacement Due to Preexisting Condition
Injured Worker Wins Workers' Compensation for Chemical Exposure Exacerbating Preexisting Condition
Employee's Workers' Compensation Claim Denied on Basis of Statute of Limitations
Unsuccessful Appeal Made by the Adult Daughter of a Deceased Worker
The Alabama Court of Civil Appeals determined the status of a newspaper delivery person as an independent contractor.
Appellate Court reversed Disability Decision: Pre-Existing Condition
All Initial Strategy Sessions are Free. If you would like to discuss your options, you are invited to fill out one of the Contact Forms. I will attempt to contact you if I think I can help you.
During your Initial Strategy Session, I will asist you in creating a strategy on how to best pursue your claim, whether it be the result of a Car Accident Claim, 18 Wheeler Injury, or, Alabama Workers' Compensation Claim. At your Initial Strategy Session, you will receive the following:
Don't delay getting the recovery you deserve! Contact us today for your free Strategy Session!