When individuals are injured on the job, they face two main types of injuries and those are physical injuries and occupational diseases. Physical injuries include those to the body, caused by slip and fall accidents, falling objects, and much more. Head injuries, neck injuries, and many other types are considered physical.
Occupational injuries are illnesses that are caused from performing the job. Exposure to chemicals and other substances that cause cancer, lung issues, and many others are subject to a different set of rules than physical injuries.
Physical Injuries
When you sustain a physical injury on the job, you do not have full use of your body to do the things that you need to do. This includes the inability to perform on the job and that is devastating to you financially, which is why employers carry workers’ compensation insurance. They carry this insurance so that you can make a claim against it rather than a legal claim against them that could result in them paying out much more money than just insurance premiums to a workers’ compensation insurer. Because of the fact they carry this insurance, you cannot make a claim against the insurance and sue the employer for the injury.
Nonetheless, you can prove the injury occurred at work and the extent of the injury so that you can recover and focus on getting back to work. There is even vocational rehabilitation available to help you train in a different industry if a career change is necessary.
Occupational Diseases
Occupational diseases can take a while to appear. The moment you suspect that your illness is due to your job, you must consult with a physician and call your St. Joseph workers’ compensation attorney so that you can take the necessary steps. The statute of limitations is different with occupational diseases than with physical injuries because an occupational disease may not show up later. So instead of you having to file within 3 years of the injury, you can file 3 years from the time you have knowledge that the medical problem is related to your work.
Unfortunately, occupational diseases can be devastating due to the fact they may involve such issues as cancer and lung disease. These illnesses typically result from exposure to certain chemicals or substances. While cancer and lung disease are not the only complications, any complication is one that is going to be severe and have an impact on a person’s overall health.
Contact A St. Joseph Workers’ Compensation Attorney
Everything may seem somewhat confusing to you now as you deal with the injury that you sustained and the consequences that come with it. The good news is that you don’t have to deal with everything by yourself. You deserve to have legal representation by your side that allows you to move through the workers’ compensation claims process as smoothly as possible. To find out more about how the Walz Law Office can help you, call (320) 251-5000 or toll-free at (888) 253-3922 to schedule your free consultation.