Carlsbad Work Injury Lawyer
According to the California Department of Industrial Relations, California saw over 450,000 workplace injuries and illnesses in 2021. Some work injuries are truly minor, but about two-thirds resulted in workers missing at least one day of work, and some workers ended up missing months. If you were hurt at work, or if you suspect that you contracted an occupational illness, then you should contact Pursley Law Firm. Our Carlsbad work injury lawyer can explain your right to workers’ compensation benefits and other sources of compensation.
Workplace Accidents & Injuries
Some industries are more dangerous than others, with transportation and construction leading the way. But any worker could potentially suffer an injury at work. Some of the most common accidents include:
- Falls from a ladder
- Slip and falls
- Motor vehicle accidents (if your job requires driving)
- Overexertion
- Falling debris or merchandise
- Defective equipment
- Fires
- Explosions
Other workers suffer injuries in a less dramatic fashion, such as:
- Repetitive stress injuries, like carpal tunnel, bursitis, tennis elbow, and other soft-tissue injuries
- Toxic exposure to chemicals, which can cause cancer, respiratory illnesses, and other problems
- Excessive noise leading to deafness
- Post-traumatic stress disorder caused by responding to traumatic events
Anyone injured while working should qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. The state requires that employers purchase a workers’ comp policy, which should pay for your medical care and replace some lost wages when you are hurt while working. There is also a death benefit when a loved one dies from a workplace accident or illness.
Filing a Lawsuit Based on a Work Injury
You might also be able to bring a lawsuit, depending on the facts. Typically, you can’t sue your employer and receive workers’ compensation. But you might sue a third party who is in any way responsible for the accident. For example, you might drive for a delivery job. If a careless motorist crashes into you while you are making a delivery, you can sue them as well as receive workers’ compensation.
The same is true if you are injured by a defective product or by a customer, client, or vendor. A customer might attack you, for example, in which case you can sue that person for the attack. If a defective ladder collapses, you might sue the company that designed or manufactured it defectively.
These third-party lawsuits have many benefits, which is why our lawyer always analyzes whether you can bring one. A major benefit is that you can receive money for pain and suffering, which workers’ compensation does not pay for. You might also seek full compensation for lost income, whereas workers’ comp only replaces a portion of your lost wages.
Injured at Work? Contact Pursley Law Firm
Our Carlsbad work injury lawyer is available to meet with an injured worker at a convenient time. We realize how stressful this is. When workers are injured, they immediately feel intense financial stress. But our law firm has the experience you need to maximize workers’ compensation benefits and pursue a third-party claim, where appropriate. Even better, our firm won’t charge a fee unless we win your case.
