Did you sustain a work-related injury in Paducah, Kentucky? Are you struggling to keep up with your medical bills and wondering how you’ll make ends meet? Don’t lose hope. You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, including weekly checks to replace a portion of your lost wages. A skilled lawyer can help you understand whether you qualify for workers’ comp.
At Morgan Collins Yeast & Salyer, our Paducah lawyers know the ins and outs of Kentucky’s workers’ compensation system. We will work to help you seek the benefits available to injured employees. With our years of experience, we have helped countless Kentucky workers and families seek benefits after work injuries left them unable to work for a period of time. We can help you, too. Give us a call at (877) 809-5352 or contact us online now to explore your options in a free initial case review.
What To Do When You Are Injured or Become Ill at Your Workplace in Paducah
If you become hurt or ill on the job in Paducah, Kentucky, you should take the following steps to protect your health and legal rights:
- Notify your employer of the injury or illness as soon as possible, or you could risk losing your benefits. Keep a copy of a written and dated notice for your records.
- Seek medical care right away. Your employer might have a managed healthcare system you can use to find a provider.
- Follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations.
- Avoid posting updates or photos on social media while your workers’ comp claim is pending.
- Contact a trusted workers’ compensation lawyer in Paducah as soon as possible if your employer’s insurance provider disputes your claim for benefits.
Why Choose Morgan Collins Yeast & Salyer to Deal with Your Workers’ Compensation Claim?
If you’re struggling to recover from an occupational injury or illness and your employer’s workers’ compensation administrator is disputing your right to benefits, you need help from knowledgeable workers’ comp lawyers in KY. You need the Kentucky Courage of Morgan Collins Yeast & Salyer.
Our skilled attorneys stand up for injured Kentucky workers. We understand KY workers’ comp laws and how intimidating it can be to take on the workers’ compensation system and insurance companies on your own. Our experienced attorneys have secured millions of dollars in benefits for Kentucky workers and their families. We will work to demand full benefits for your workers’ comp claim. We can handle any related legal matters, such as disability benefits or a personal injury claim on your behalf.
You might have seen our lawyers on TV, but rest assured that we are real lawyers. The Kentucky Courage attorneys you see on TV are the same legal professionals who will be working on your case. We understand that you can’t afford delays when it comes to receiving workers’ comp benefits. That is why you should contact our lawyers if you need help filing a workers’ comp claim.
We know that many clients who come to us are tight on funds. We handle workers’ compensation cases on a contingency fee basis. You won’t pay anything upfront for us to start work on your case. We charge nothing unless we recover money for you. Don’t worry if you’re not sure whether you have a case– we offer free initial consultations. Our staff is available 24/7 to answer your questions.
How Much Compensation Can You Get for a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
The types and amounts of compensation you can get for your workers’ comp claim will vary. In most cases, you should be eligible for paid medical care for reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to your occupational injury or illness. If you miss work, you may qualify for wage replacement benefits for lost income while you cannot work. If your work-related injuries leave you with permanent disabilities, you may seek compensation.
The best way to get a reliable assessment of the value of your workers’ compensation claim is to speak with a Paducah workers’ comp attorney at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer.
Statute of Limitations for a Worker’s Compensation Claim in Paducah, Kentucky
You generally have two years to file a workers’ compensation claim in Kentucky. If you wait too long to file your claim, you could lose your right to demand benefits.
Remember that if you have a third-party injury claim in addition to your workers’ compensation claim, the timeline is even shorter. You typically have just one year from the date when you sustained the injury or illness to file. It’s essential to consult with a skilled workers’ comp lawyer as soon as possible after a work injury or illness.
Appealing Workers’ Compensation Decisions
If your workers’ comp claim is denied, you have the right to file an appeal asking the Workers’ Compensation Board to review the decision. However, you usually have only a short amount of time to initiate an appeal.
Due to the complexity of the appeals process, it’s a good idea to hire an experienced workers’ comp lawyer if your employer or their insurance company denies your claim. A lawyer can help you fight back by presenting compelling evidence to support your claim. A Paducah workers’ compensation attorney with Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer can represent your interests at every stage of the appeals process.
Workers’ Comp Benefits Coverage
Depending on the circumstances, you could claim the following types of benefits as part of your workers’ comp claim:
- Medical benefits – Medical benefits cover the costs of reasonable and necessary medical treatments related to work injuries or illnesses.
- Temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits – TPD benefits replace a portion of your reduced income if you can return to work after your injury or illness, but you can only do lighter-duty tasks or work limited hours.
- Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits – TTD benefits replace a portion of your lost income if you temporarily cannot work at all while recovering from an occupational injury or illness.
- Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits – If your work injury or illness leads to a permanent partial disability, PPD benefits can make up for a portion of the reduced income you earn from working in a limited capacity.
- Permanent total disability (PTD) benefits – If your work injury or illness leads to a permanent total disability that prevents you from working in any capacity, PTD benefits can make up for a portion of your lost income.
- Vocational rehabilitation benefits – If a work injury or illness prevents you from returning to your usual job, vocational rehabilitation benefits can cover the costs of education or training you need to find a new job.
- Death benefits – If you die from a work-related injury or illness, death benefits provide compensation for lost wages, funeral costs, and other related expenses to your surviving dependents.
Who Holds Responsibility in an Accident at Your Workplace or Work Injury?
If your employer provides workers’ compensation insurance, you are generally prohibited from suing them for occupational injuries or illnesses. However, there could be exceptions for work injuries stemming from negligence on the part of someone other than your employer. In those situations, you need a Paducah injury attorney to pursue the compensation you need.
Other potentially responsible parties for a workplace accident or work injury include:
- Third-party contractors hired by a general contractor working on the same construction site
- Manufacturers of defective or unsafe equipment that causes a work accident
- Property owners with hazardous conditions on site that prompted the accident
Most Common Workplace Causes
Common causes of workplace injuries and illnesses in Kentucky include:
- Slip, trip, and fall accidents
- Overexertion or repetitive motion strain
- Contact with equipment or machinery
- Transportation accidents
- Exposure to hazardous substances
- Fires, explosions, and electrical accidents
- Inadequate safety procedures or equipment
- Failure to follow safety protocols
- Improper use of tools or equipment
- Ergonomic hazards or poor workplace design
- Exposure to loud noises or extreme temperatures
- Lack of appropriate training or supervision
- Human error or miscommunication
- Working at heights or in confined spaces
- Inadequate lighting or ventilation
- Violence in the workplace
Most Common Workplace Injuries
Common examples of occupational injuries and illnesses include the following:
- Sprains, strains, or soft tissue injuries
- Fractures or dislocated bones
- Cuts, bruises, burns, or lacerations
- Traumatic amputations or loss of limb
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
- Back, neck, or shoulder injuries
- Occupational diseases, such as mesothelioma
- Hearing loss or vision impairment
- Respiratory illnesses or lung damage
- Skin conditions like contact dermatitis
- Heat stroke or hypothermia
- Electrical shocks or electrocution
- Toe fracture
Schedule a Free Case Review with Our Experienced Paducah Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
Let the Paducah workers’ comp attorneys of Morgan Collins Yeast & Salyer deal with the claims process while you focus on your recovery. To learn more about your rights, call us today at (877) 809-5352 or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation session.
