How a Columbia Falling Objects Injury Lawyer can Help with Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
It may be hard to believe, but injuries in the workplace sustained from falling objects are quite common. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are over 50,000 recorded cases every year of workers being struck by a falling object. That amounts to approximately an injury every 10 minutes across the country. And those are only the reported incidents.
If you have been injured by a falling object at work in Columbia, it’s important to take your injury seriously and to understand your workers’ compensation rights. Luckily, a skilled workers’ compensation attorney can help. Contact a legal representative today to learn more about how a Columbia falling objects injury lawyer can help with your workers’ compensation claim.
What is a Falling Objects Injury?
An injury caused by a falling object can take many forms, but they typically fall into one of three categories:
- Being hit by a falling object
- Being struck by an object that has fallen from something
- Being crushed by a collapsing object
Falling object injuries can occur in any type of workplace, but they are most commonly seen in construction zones, warehouses, and other industrial-type workplaces.
Types of Injuries that Result from Falling Objects
An injury sustained from a falling object can be as minor as a scrape or bruise or as serious as a fatality. The type and severity of the injury will depend on several factors, including the weight of the object, the speed and distance from which it fell, and whether the victim was wearing protective gear. Some examples of injuries that can result from falling objects include:
- Head injuries, including concussions and skull fractures
- Neck and back injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Paralysis
Of course, death is also a possibility from falling object injuries, especially if the object is large or heavy.
How Do Falling Objects Injuries Occur in the Workplace?
Falling objects injuries can occur in any number of ways. These can range from objects falling from shelves or cabinets or any overhead surface in an office setting to objects falling from a scaffold or other elevated surface at a construction site. Other examples of the ways this type of injury can occur are crane accidents or other machinery failures and even explosions or the collapse of buildings.
A seasoned attorney in Columbia could help a person filing a workers’ compensation claim determine the cause of a falling object injury.
What to Do if You’re a Victim of a Falling Objects Injury in Columbia
It’s important to note that workers’ comp for falling objects injuries applies not only to incidents where the object falls on the worker, but also to cases where the object strikes the worker, or where the worker is crushed by an object.
If you are injured by a falling object at work, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. Even if your injuries seem minor, it’s important to have them checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. In some cases, what may seem like a minor injury can actually be quite serious.
After you’ve been seen by a doctor, you should notify your employer of the accident and your injuries. Make sure to document in writing when and where the accident occurred, as well as the names of any witnesses. Your employer should then file a report of injury on your behalf. If they don’t, you can file the report yourself.
It’s also important to follow all instructions from your doctor regarding your injury and your treatment. If you don’t, it could adversely affect your workers’ compensation claim. Hiring an attorney in Columbia to help you with your claim could be crucial to proving a falling objects injury case.
Why Choose our Falling Object Injury Lawyers?
You should also be aware that you have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim for your injuries. Workers’ compensation is a system in place to help workers who are injured on the job. Under State law, most employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This means that if you are injured at work, your medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages should be covered by your employer’s insurance policy. In Columbia, workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, which means that it does not matter who was at fault for the accident – if you were injured on the job, you are entitled to benefits.
Of course, actually getting the workers’ compensation you’re entitled to can sometimes be a challenge. In some cases, employers or their insurance companies may try to deny your claim or downplay the extent of your injuries. That’s where an experienced attorney could help.
An attorney can make sure that your falling objects injury claim is filed correctly and in a timely manner. A legal representative can also assist with the investigation of your accident, gathering evidence to support your claim, and dealing with the insurance company. If necessary, they can even file a lawsuit on your behalf to get the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve.
Contact Our Attorneys Today to Discuss Your Falling Objects Injury in Columbia
Filing a workers’ compensation claim can be a complicated and confusing process, especially if you are already dealing with the physical and emotional effects of your injuries. That’s where The Law Office of Chris Miller can help.
We are Columbia’s, premier workers’ compensation law firm, and we have extensive experience helping injured workers get the benefits they need and deserve. Contact us to learn more about how a Columbia falling objects injury lawyer can help with your workers’ compensation claim. We’ll review your case and explain your options.