Despite the strict requirements many employers have to meet and maintain for safe workplaces, millions of people are still injured in the workplace each year. There are a number of different ways it can happen. In some cases, it could be a result of faulty or improperly-secured equipment that comes into contact with you in an unexpected, dangerous way. At other times, it could be something as simple as a slippery floor that wasn’t marked as such.

Regardless of how it happens, there are clear costs that come with a workplace injury, particularly one that directly affects your work or renders you unable to complete it for an extended period of time. There are, of course, the medical bills likely associated with addressing the injury, but missing out on paid time can amount to a serious loss, especially if you’ve been denied for receiving workers’ compensation.

When you aren’t getting what you’re owed to cover medical treatment for your injury and financially sustain yourself while you’re out of work, you need the help of an attorney. In this blog post, you’ll read more from our team of Wilmington, NC personal injury attorneys about the costs of a serious injury at work, what a personal injury lawyer can do to help you resolve the situation, and what you’ll need to get what you’re owed.

What can a workplace injury cost you?

As mentioned previously, the immediate, up-front cost of a workplace injury is the amount of money required to receive medical treatment. Depending on the extent of the injury, this may not be a small bill.

If any part of your body has been broken, amputated, or otherwise come to serious harm, you may require treatment that costs up to thousands of dollars for you to adequately recover. In some cases, you may never recover enough to allow you to continue performing the required functions of your job. Even if you’re able to return to work at some point, though, a serious injury may mean missing out on days, weeks, or even months of paid time.

Workers’ comp exists to help you manage this situation, but it isn’t always available to everyone. Depending on a variety of factors, ranging from the way the injury occurred to your ability to meet notice and filing deadlines, you may or may not actually receive any compensation for the time you need for recovery.

How can a personal injury lawyer help?

If you’ve been denied for workers’ comp, a personal injury lawyer can help you identify why this may have happened and what you’ll need to do at that point to apply for compensation. A lawyer is also an excellent resource to have on your side from the very beginning. A free consultation as soon as possible after the incident can help you quickly learn everything you need to know when it comes to applying for workers’ comp for the first time.

In the event your application is denied, a lawyer can also help you when it comes to litigation or mediation. Facing either of these situations, particularly when your employer and their insurer almost certainly have one or more attorneys on their side, puts you at a distinct disadvantage.

What will you need?

Once you’ve been injured and received prompt medical attention, you’ll need to notify your employer within 30 days and file an incident report. From there, you should file your workers’ comp claim to the North Carolina Industrial Commission within two years of the injury taking place.

Looking for legal counsel to help you navigate the process of receiving workers’ comp? Whether you’re applying for the first time or have been denied, Rodzik Law Group can help. Contact us to schedule a free consultation and discuss your case now.