Working in a warehouse carries a high risk of injury. Workers often must lift large items, move cumbersome materials, load and unload trucks, and operate heavy machinery, such as forklifts. If you’ve been injured on the job, it’s important to know what to do to protect your rights in a warehouse workplace compensation claim. Our workers’ comp attorneys at Krivitzky, Springer & Feldman have represented thousands of injured workers throughout New Jersey. Our lawyers provide some pointers on what to do if you’re injured as a warehouse worker.
Types Of Warehouse Accidents & Injuries
Unfortunately, warehouse workers sustain on-the-job injuries all too often. There are many different types of accidents that can lead to catastrophic trauma, including lost limbs or digits, spine, neck, and head injuries, crushed bones, and repetitive stress injuries. Some common types of warehouse accidents include:
- Items falling from shelves
- Stacking collapses
- Machine press accidents
- Forklift accidents
- Loading dock accidents
- Injuries caused by bending, lifting, and twisting
- Assembly line and conveyor belt accidents
- Repetitive stress injuries that affect the shoulders, knees, wrists, and arms
- Toxic chemical exposure
Collecting Workers’ Compensation After A Warehouse Injury
In New Jersey, most businesses are required to carry Workers’ compensation insurance that provides medical care, a portion of lost wages, and compensation for permanent disability for employees who are hurt at work. In certain circumstances, death benefits for families of workers killed on the job are also available. Regardless of who was at fault for the accident, injured workers have a right to file a workers’ compensation claim. When you file for workers’ compensation benefits, you’re typically prohibited from bringing a personal injury lawsuit against your employer.
However, there are exceptions to this rule when an injury is caused by an employer’s negligence. If an injury was caused by an outside party, such as a delivery driver or the manufacturer of defective equipment, you may be entitled to pursue a third-party liability lawsuit against all responsible parties in addition to receiving workers’ compensation. These cases are complex. It’s vital to contact a New Jersey workers’ comp lawyer after any on-the-job injury to ensure your rights are protected and discover the options available to you in a warehouse workplace compensation claim.
What To Do If You’ve Been Injured At Work
There are critical steps to take to protect your health and rights after a work-related injury.
Seek medical attention. Of course, your health should be top priority when you’ve been injured. If it’s an emergency situation, you or a coworker should call 911 immediately or go to the nearest ER. Seeking medical attention right away ensures that your injury is documented and provides evidence to back up your workers’ comp claim.
Inform your employer or supervisor. If it’s not an emergency, notify your employer of your injury right away. Failing to report your injury in a timely manner may prevent you from receiving workers’ compensation benefits, so it’s important to let them know as soon as possible. In New Jersey, employers may require you to see authorized medical providers for treatment of your injuries. If it’s not an emergency and you see a doctor, specialist, or other health care provider who has not been designated by your employer, your claim for medical benefits may be denied.
Contact an attorney. Seeking the counsel of an experienced New Jersey workers’ compensation attorney is vital to protecting your rights and interests. Most employers and their insurance companies seek to pay as little as possible in workers ‘comp claims and may deny your claim altogether. A seasoned lawyer will assess your case, advises you of your options, and knows how to accurately value your claim. This is critical because injured employees frequently underestimate the costs of future medical treatment and income benefits. If you’ve suffered an injury that has caused permanent disability, undervaluing your claim can put you in a precarious financial situation down the road. Workers’ comp lawyers are well-versed in common insurance companies’ tactics and handle all negotiations so that you can focus on healing.
Schedule A Free Consultation With A Jersey City Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Our attorneys at Krivitzky, Springer & Feldman have more than 40 years of experience advocating for injured workers in New Jersey. If you’ve been hurt and need to file a warehouse workplace compensation claim, we can help. We can also assist you with workers’ comp claims that have been denied and help you recover the compensation you need and deserve. Contact us online or call us in Jersey City or in Newfoundland, New Jersey. Our workers’ comp and personal injury lawyers serve clients in Hudson, Bergen, Essex, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, and Warren Counties and throughout New Jersey. Se hablaEspañol.