Legal Guidance After A Workplace Accident in New Jersey & New York

Every year, work accidents across the states of New York and New Jersey leave thousands of people injured. Numerous victims have to take extended time off work and go through medical treatment for their injuries. The mental, physical, and financial impacts these accidents force upon victims are often too much to endure. As if dealing with the overwhelming consequences were not enough, many victims sustain injuries in accidents on the job due to the negligent actions of other parties.

Many people are injured on the job due to defective products or machinery, inadequate training, unsafe environments, and negligence. Even when exercising extreme caution, accidents will happen. When an employee is injured at work, the employer’s workers’ compensation insurer is responsible for providing compensation for the injury. Working with a knowledgeable workplace accident attorney in the aftermath of an accident can help to ensure you are in the best position possible to get the justice you deserve.

If you have been injured at work, we can help. From our Newark, New Jersey, office, our Workers Compensation legal team at Metro Law provides aggressive and tailored representation to injured workers. With nearly 30 years of experience handling workers’ comp cases, our attorneys have the insight you need into the process of seeking the benefits you deserve. Schedule a free case evaluation with our injury accident attorneys in New York and New Jersey as soon as possible to see how we can help you.

Handling All Types of On-The-Job Injuries

When you are injured at work, it is essential that you report the incident to your supervisor and seek medical attention. These are just the first steps in preserving your right to file a workers’ compensation claim. Regardless of industry, any accident that occurred at work may allow you to be compensated. At the office of Metro Law, we handle work injuries from our office in Newark. We understand the strain that injuries put on your life and are dedicated to helping you move forward with your life.

Types Of Workplace Accidents in NJ & NY

Workplace injuries can range from minor to severe and can occur in a variety of situations, including:

• Falling objects: Anything can fall on an employee, from an unstable light fixture or objects on a high shelf to equipment on an elevated construction site. These situations often result in traumatic brain injuries, even if the proper safety equipment was being worn.
• Slip and falls: Employers have a duty to ensure that floors are not unduly slippery, spills and leaks are cleaned up in a timely manner and any other dangerous conditions are marked with proper signage. Ankle sprains, broken bones, back injuries, and other injuries can result from a slip and fall or trip and fall.
• Falls from heights: Scaffolding collapses, ladders malfunction. Any fall from a height due to these or other situations can cause devastating and life-altering injuries or can even be fatal.
• Fires and Explosions: There are many instances where people are injured as a result of fires or explosions at work. These incidents are more common when people are working with gas, oil, and electricity, although they can happen under any circumstance.
• Caught-Between Incidents: Numerous accidents happen when people get stuck between two objects. Whether a person gets stuck between a machine and an object, two machines, or even two objects, caught-between incidents can result in severe injuries or even death.
• Electrocution: There are several cases when workers sustain debilitating injuries after coming in contact with hazardous wiring or other dangerous electrical sources.
• Operator Error: There are instances where workers are injured as a result of the negligent actions of others. When people are not using machinery and equipment correctly, when they are acting carelessly, and engaging in reckless actions, it can result in injuries to others.
• Lifting injuries:Even with the proper training and support, lifting heavy objects is known to cause back injuries and other types of injuries. It is important that all precautions be taken when employees are responsible for lifting, either in an isolated situation or on a regular basis.
• Dangerous or defective equipment:Malfunctioning machinery and defective safety equipment are just two of the types of situations where dangerous or defective equipment can lead to body parts becoming caught and amputated or bones being crushed. These situations can also cause spinal cord injuries and fatalities.
• Motor vehicle accidents:Whether it involved a forklift in a warehouse or a work vehicle being driven off company property, you may have a claim if you were in a motor vehicle accident while in the course of performing job-related duties.

Types Of Injuries Commonly Suffered At Work

We represent clients who have suffered injuries in all types of accidents, including:

• Back, neck, and spinal cord injuries: Lifting heavy objects is known to cause neck and back injuries, but these can result from any type of accident at work. Herniated disks, paralysis, nerve damage, back strain, whiplash, and numerous other neck and back-related injuries can impact the rest of your life, not just your ability to work.
• Traumatic brain injuries: Any object striking the head or the head striking an object, in even a minor incident, can cause serious head and brain injuries. A visible wound does not need to be present for the signs and symptoms of a TBI to indicate that something more serious is going on and should be evaluated by a doctor.
• Broken bones: Whether you were involved in a car accident in a work vehicle, an object fell on you or machinery malfunctioned, any situation can result in a broken or crushed bone. Broken bones often require surgery to reset the bone and can leave a worker unable to return to the job for weeks at a time.
• Amputations: There are a variety of accidents that result in workers losing arms, legs, hands, fingers, or even toes. The loss of a limb can have a detrimental impact on a person’s ability to lead a normal life. Furthermore, it can have an overwhelming impact on their ability to perform the duties of their job.
• Burn Injuries: Burn injuries can cause severe pain for victims. Many burn victims are left with extensive scarring, muscle problems, and have to go through several surgeries for their injuries. The pain and suffering burn victims endure can result in the need for long-term care and treatment.
• Chemical Exposure: Chemical exposure can cause an array of injuries for victims. Some workers experience severe skin damage and irritation. Other chemical exposure incidents can result in nerve damage, eye damage, reproducing system problems, and even death. Internal organ damage is another common consequence of being exposed to harmful chemicals.
• Repetitive stress injuries: Employees who work on computers all day or perform other repetitive tasks are prone to wear and tear on their joints, which can lead to repetitive stress injury. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common of these types of injuries, but numerous other situations can result from performing the same motions every day as part of your job.

We are not limited by this list of injuries. If you have suffered any type of injury at work, talk to an attorney at our firm to determine how to proceed with your case.

What to Do After Being Injured on the Job

If you are injured on the job, it is crucial that you take various steps to ensure you are in the best position possible to protect your legal rights. Some things you should do immediately following a workplace accident include:

• Seek medical attention for your injuries. You do not want to attempt to diagnose yourself. It is crucial that you receive timely and adequate care to prevent further injuries.
• Report your accident to your boss. You will need to report the incident and resulting injuries to your supervisor as soon as possible. Workers are provided only a short period to notify their boss after an accident. Failing to provide timely notice can prevent you from collecting the compensation you need and deserve.
• Seek legal guidance from a knowledgeable attorney. A skilled and aggressive legal team, like the workplace accident attorneys at Metro Law, can help guide you through the legal system so you better understand options available to help you recover after being harmed.

If you were injured on the job, it is crucial that you take action immediately. Not doing so can have negative consequences on your ability to get the justice, compensation, and benefits you deserve.

Benefits Available for Injured Workers

People who are injured on the job in New Jersey may be entitled to an array of benefits to help them in the aftermath of a work accident. Some of the benefits that workers can receive include:

Medical benefits: People who are harmed on the job are able to receive coverage for all medical treatment necessary for the injuries or conditions resulting from a workplace incident.

Temporary Total Disability Benefits: There are some cases where injured workers are able to collect TTDB coverage after being harmed. These benefits generally provide up to 70% of a worker’s gross weekly wages to them, subject to the maximum limits set by the state.

Permanent Disability Benefits: Depending on the severity of a worker’s injuries, they may be entitled to permanent disability benefits. These benefits cover up to 70% of a worker’s weekly earnings and fall under one of two categories:

• Permanent Partial Disability: These benefits are provided to workers when they sustain injuries or illnesses that prevent them from ever returning to work at full capacity. These benefits can last for up to 600 weeks depending on various circumstances.
• Permanent Total Disability Benefits: This type of coverage is available to workers who cannot return to work again due to injuries or illnesses sustained on the job. These benefits are available for up to 450 weeks, depending on various circumstances.

Death Benefits: These benefits are available for surviving relatives and are provided to cover funeral costs and wages.

Get the Information and Representation You Need

Every year, thousands of people in New York and New Jersey are injured on the job. In many cases, victims are harmed as a result of negligence, improper training, unsafe practices, defective equipment, and a variety of other reasons. Many victims harmed on the job require extensive medical treatment and have to spend weeks or even months off work. As if dealing with the physical and emotional consequences of a workplace injury were not enough, numerous families are forced to endure overwhelming financial impacts as well. When workers are injured during the course of their employment, it is crucial that they seek legal guidance as soon as possible. Victims may have legal options available to help them recover. Working with a knowledgeable workplace accident attorney in New York and New Jersey can help to ensure they are in the best position possible to move forward.

The attorneys at Metro Law have over four decades of experience helping injured workers get full and fair compensation for their injuries. Our attorneys strive to provide effective representation to injured workers that ensures they are able to protect their legal rights moving forward. We are committed to helping accident victims collect the maximum amount of compensation available for medical treatment, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and a variety of other negative consequences they face. If you have been injured in an accident on the job, don’t hesitate to call. There are strict time limits that injured workers must adhere to in order to get the justice they deserve. To learn more about how our lawyers and staff may be able to help you, call our firm at 973-344-6587, or contact us online. We offer a free initial consultation to injured clients, handling workers’ comp cases in New Jersey only.