No matter how safe employers or workers are, accidents occur on job sites every day, and most of them are preventable. Whether your accident was caused by defective equipment, poorly maintained work areas, or an Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) violation, you have the legal right to seek compensation for the harm that you have suffered.
While some occupations and jobs are known to be more dangerous than others, such as construction or mining, that doesn’t mean that employees should be put at more risk than necessary. If you or someone you know has suffered an injury or an illness due to your job, a Laramie workers’ compensation lawyer is ready to help you get the compensation you’re owed.
At Edwards Law Office, P.C., we offer free consultations, so contact us right away for help.
Frequency of Certain Workplace Injuries
According to The Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses for Wyoming, 2022, there were 5,340 reported nonfatal occupational illnesses or injuries in private industry in 2021-2022. Of those, 26.8% resulted in sprains, strains, or tears, and 20.8% caused soreness or pain.
Additionally, 31.3% of the total injuries occurred to the upper extremities, which includes the elbow, arm, wrist, fingers, hand, and shoulder. Lower extremities accounted for 21.3%, which includes the thigh, leg, knee, foot, and toes.
The data also shows that of the 5,340 injuries or illnesses, 15.2% were caused by the ill or injured worker, and 14% were caused by floors, walkways, or ground surfaces, such as in a slip, trip, or fall incident.
Understanding Wyoming Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation, also called workers’ comp or workman’s comp, is a program designed to compensate employees when they suffer an injury or illness while on the job. Getting injured while you’re working can be devastating. Not only are you hurt and unable to work for an indeterminate amount of time, but your medical bills add up quickly and without a source of income, you and your family are suddenly under stress.
This is what workers’ comp is for. With few exceptions, employees in Wyoming who are hurt on the job should receive compensation that covers medical bills and lost wages and depending on the nature and severity of your accident, you could receive workers’ comp benefits for an undetermined amount of time, or even permanently.
The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services (DWS) previously published A Guide to Workers’ Compensation for Wyoming Claimants. In that guide, it explains the different types of disability in chapter three, as well as the requirements to qualify for each. Additionally, chapter one of the guide explains the basic steps you need to follow to begin your claims process, which your Laramie workers‘ compensation lawyer can assist you in completing.
What You Should Do Immediately After Your Injury at Work
As with many other accidents, especially when injuries are sustained, the immediate aftermath of a workplace incident may be confusing, and you may be traumatized. However, you should follow these steps as best you can:
- Seek medical attention
- Report the accident to your employer
- Gather photos, statements, etc.
- Seek legal counsel from Edwards Law Office, P.C.
You always want to let your employer know of your accident right away and work with them to start your workers’ compensation claims process. It’s best that you do not allow your employer to handle all of the filing for you, but if you are overwhelmed or confused, you should consider seeking help from Edwards Law Office, P.C.
An Albany County Workers’ Comp Attorney Is Ready To Help
Wyoming workers’ compensation laws have many technicalities that require claimants to pay immense attention to detail and follow a strict set of rules and deadlines. If you’re like a lot of people, you likely have never filed for workers’ compensation before and are likely unsure of what the process is. Having a workers’ comp lawyer on your side could be the difference between a successful claim or financially struggle.
We can assist you in filing your workers’ compensation claim or fighting a denial. Don’t waste time, contact our law office today so that our Laramie workers’ compensation lawyer can help expedite your claim. An accident at work shouldn’t put you or your family in financial crisis, we’re here to help. We can get started fighting for you soon after your complimentary case review with us.