Workers' Compensation

Given the amount of time most people spend at work, it’s no surprise that workplace accidents are one of the leading sources of both fatal and non-fatal injuries. For example, according to the most recent report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in a typical year, 2.7 million employees are injured on the job. At the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC, we proudly help injured workers obtain workers’ compensation benefits. Our injury lawyers are skilled at navigating the complex workers’ compensation system. With our help, you can ensure that your claim is accurately submitted and processed in a timely manner.

While almost every job presents a risk of injury, certainly some jobs are more dangerous than others. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the occupations with the highest rate of injury resulting in at least one missed day of work are:

• Nursing assistants;
• Licensed practical nurses and vocational nurses;
• Registered nurses;
• Freight and material movers;
• Truck drivers;
• Maintenance and repair workers;
• Stockers and order-fillers; and
• Retail salespeople.

Regardless of your occupation, if you were hurt on the job, you may be entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits.

Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system designed to allow injured employees to recover limited compensation for their injuries after an on-the-job accident. To qualify for benefits, workers must establish that their claim is compensable. This generally means illustrating that your injuries were related to your work. While this may sound straightforward—and in certain cases it is—that isn’t always the case.

For example, a factory worker who gets their hand crushed in a machine probably won’t have a difficult time proving their injury was work-related. However, a warehouse worker who develops degenerative disc disease after years of loading and unloading heavy packages will likely face an uphill battle proving their condition was a result of their job. This is because insurance companies want to avoid paying injured workers benefits whenever they can. Even if an insurance company cannot challenge the work-relatedness of an injury, it may contest the seriousness of the workers’ injuries or claim that their injuries were preexisting.

Other pitfalls injured workers may face when filing a workers’ compensation claim include:

• The workers’ compensation doctor disagrees with the worker’s primary care doctor;
• The insurance company thinks you can go back to work sooner than your doctor does;
• The insurance company denies follow-up treatment for a work-related injury; and
• Decreased earning capacity following an on-the-job accident.

If you are facing any of these issues, then you need to contact an experienced board-certified workers’ compensation attorney at the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC. We represent and tirelessly advocate for injured workers all across the greater Charlotte area. Our goal is to help you receive all of the compensation you deserve after suffering serious injuries in a workplace accident.

The length of time an injured worker receives workers’ compensation benefits depends on the nature of their injury, their level of disability, and whether their employer has light-duty work available. Generally, injured workers receive temporary benefits until they are either able to return to work or reach their “Maximum Medical Improvement.” Maximum Medical Improvement is the point at which no further treatment would benefit an injured worker. Once a worker reaches their Maximum Medical Improvement, they may become eligible for permanent total disability benefits or permanent partial disability benefits. However, the availability of long-term benefits depends on your ability to work in the wake of an accident. Often, an employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier will claim that an injured worker can return to work sooner than their doctor says is safe.

IF you were recently hurt on the job, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. At the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC, we have decades of combined experience helping injured workers obtain the benefits they need and deserve following a serious on-the-job accident. We can help you evaluate all your options and effectively pursue the one that makes the most sense for you. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation* with a Charlotte workers’ compensation lawyer, give us a call at 704-405-2580. You can also reach one of our Concord workers’ compensation lawyers at 704-918-4747.