Tag Archives: Workplace Accidents

Workplace Vehicle Accident Claim

Celebrate Road Safety At Work Week With These Tips

Transportation accidents on the jobsite are causing an increasing number of injuries and fatalities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 45% of all workplace fatalities involve motor vehicle accidents. An extreme lack of training in workplace motor vehicle operations is one of the reasons for such a high number of workplace motor vehicle accident fatalities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 60% of all workplace vehicle accident fatalities involve a driver who is not a professionally trained driver by trade. Because of these startling statistics, workers should observe Road Safety at Work Week from March 5-9 by familiarizing themselves with safety tips that can prevent workplace motor vehicle accidents.

  1. Create a transportation plan. When you plan out what vehicles will be doing what jobs, workers will have a better understanding of where vehicles will be and can exercise caution.
  2. Always use a spotter. Because all vehicles have blind spots, it’s wise to always use a spotter outside of the vehicle. A spotter can help prevent collisions and keep the rest of the jobsite safe.
  3. Always use blinkers when turning. Drivers should always use blinkers when driving, but this is particularly important on a busy jobsite. Blinkers help everyone around you understand where your vehicle is traveling.
  4. Mark out a path for vehicles. If your jobsite utilizes one or more vehicles, mark out a visible path for them with cones, barriers, and warning signs. Providing vehicles with their own space can go a long way toward preventing collisions.
  5. Always wear reflective clothing. Even if it’s a bright sunny day, always wear reflective clothing on the jobsite when vehicles are in operation. This ensures all workers are visible to vehicle operators.
  6. Have daily safety meeting. Safety isn’t just about following rules – it’s a mindset. By holding regular safety meetings that address certain dangers on the jobsite, companies can create an environment that keeps everyone safe.

Contact The Glisson Law Firm With Your Workplace Vehicle Accident Claim

The experienced attorneys at The Glisson Law Firm have been helping victims of third party workplace accidents for years. We fight aggressively for our clients to get them complete compensation. Call us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your workplace vehicle accident claim.

Workers Compensation Claim

What To Know About Filing A Workers Compensation Claim

All workers have a right to a reasonably safe workplace. No one should be exposed to unnecessary risks when they are just trying to do their job and bring home a paycheck. However, accidents do happen and workers will get injured on the job. Luckily, Illinois law requires employers to subscribe to the state workers’ compensation system, which can provide workers financial compensation in the event of an injury.

How Does The Workers Compensation System Work?

Workers compensation is a type of insurance that pays employees for the cost of medical treatment and for part of their lost wages after an on-the-job injury. Nearly all states require employers to subscribe to workers’ compensation; however, workers compensation laws differ by state.

Once a worker is injured, he or she needs to immediately notify the employer, either verbally or in writing. In Illinois, workers must notify the employer no later than 45 days after the injury. For workers in Missouri, the notification period is only 30 days. Workers must then file a workers compensation claim with the state’s compensation agency. For Illinois workers, the notification must be made within three years of the injury or two years from the last payment of compensation. In the state of Missouri, the notification period is only two years from the date of injury or from the date of the last payment of compensation.

What Kind Of Compensation Can Workers Receive?

Employees are generally eligible for three different types of compensation after an injury. Firstly, workers compensation will compensate injured employees for all related medical expenses. Secondly, workers can receive approximately two-thirds of their average weekly wage while they are recovering from their injury. Finally, if the accident caused permanent injuries, employees can receive an award to compensate the permanent nature of the injury.

Don’t File A Claim On Your Own

The most important thing to know about filing a workers compensation claim is that you don’t have to file it on your own. It is always wise to consult with an experienced attorney before filing your claim. Workers compensation laws are incredibly nuanced, and even the smallest mistakes made during filing could cause you lose out on compensation.

Furthermore, there are many limits on the amount of workers compensation an employee can recover, the number of physicians an injured worker can visit, and compensation for permanent injuries. By working with an experienced workers compensation attorney, you can make sure you get the most out of the workers compensation system. Working with an attorney does not cost anything. Workers compensation lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only receive payment if they help their clients recover compensation. In the state of Illinois, workers compensation lawyers receive 20% of any permanency awards and in the state of Missouri, lawyers receive 25% of the permanency awards.

You May Be Able To File A Third Party Claim

In exchange for the workers compensation system, employers are released from liability from workplace accidents. There are instances when a third party causes workplace injuries, not the employer. Many third party claims involve auto accidents where another party injured a worker on the jobsite. In these instances, workers can file a civil lawsuit against the third party to recover compensation for the accident. If you are unsure whether a third party is responsible for your accident, speak to an attorney. They will be able to analyze your situation, collect evidence, and determine exactly what happened and who can be held responsible.

Contact The Glisson Law Firm For Help

Filing a workers compensation claim can be extremely overwhelming. At The Glisson Law Firm, we work to put our clients’ minds at ease so they can focus on getting better. If you’ve been injured on the job and have questions about your workers compensation claim, don’t hesitate to call us and schedule a consultation.