Have you been injured on the job? If so, you’re not alone. Millions of workers each year in the U.S. experience some kind of occupational illness or injury. While some of these incidents don’t require any downtime, others can result in long-term or permanent disabilities that can lead to lost wages over time. Fortunately, however, help is available if you need it.
If you were hurt at work, and you’re thinking of filing for disability, here’s what you should know first:
- On-the-job injuries are fairly common. If you were hurt at work, you’re not alone. In 2013, workers reported around 3,007,300 illnesses and injuries related to their jobs. Of those accidents, slips, trips, and falls are the most common, and they also constitute 15% of all fatalities in the United States, second only to motor vehicle crashes, which kill around 37,000 people per year.
- Certain jobs can lead to specific injuries. Not all workplace injuries are the same. Truck drivers, for example, are at an increased risk of an injury or fatality because of the hazards associated with being on the road. Human error is responsible for about 90% of all accidents involving commercial trucks, whether it was the truck driver, other drivers on the road, or passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians. About 30% of these accidents are also caused by driver fatigue due to the long hours that truckers often work.
- You can receive help. Just because you’ve had an accident on the job doesn’t mean that you’re responsible for making up your lost wages. You can apply for workers compensation and even Social Security disability if you need to — especially if your employer was at fault.
- It’s best to work with an attorney. If you’ve been injured at work, you don’t have to deal with the aftermath alone. A disability lawyer can help you with your workers compensation claim and help you go through the process of applying for these Social Security benefits. Make sure to speak with a legal representative for your case as soon as possible.
Have more questions about your injury and working with a lawyer? Be sure to contact a qualified legal team to help you with your claim. All cases are different, so make sure yours gets the individual attention it needs. For general inquiries and comments, leave one in the space provided below.
