Mississippi is a state with a tremendous number of hard-working citizens who engage in a wide variety of occupations. Office work, farming, factory work, manufacturing, fishing, and numerous other jobs all have the same thing in common—they require extensive use of the employee’s hands. It is no wonder then the so many injured Mississippi workers come to me wondering how to be compensated when they suffer a hand injury while at work. One thing is critical to know, having experienced counsel help you attain your fair share of compensation is critical if you are harmed in the workplace. Barrett Law has the experience to help you through this process. Contact us now at (800) 707-9577.
What Should You Do if You Experience a Hand Injury at Work?
A hand injury is unique in that even a small injury can be career-ending. While a broken bone in the foot may require an adjustment to the employee’s working conditions, any broken bone in the hand may take the employee out of commission. Hand injuries commonly require time off from work and medical attention. Receiving compensation for that loss of work in Mississippi requires the help of an experienced compensation attorney.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Work-Related Hand Injuries?
Interestingly, almost any type of work can result in a hand injury. As I sit here typing, my wrists are getting sore. A fishing boat worker may have their hands crushed or cut by machinery. A factory worker may be injured due to repetitive movements. Whether it is poor ergonomics, a cut, or a crushing blow from machinery, hand injuries take many forms. Below is a list of what I most commonly see:
- A puncture or cut requiring stitches, which takes an employee out of work while the injury heals;\
- Nerve or tendon damage that may require extensive and expensive occupational or physical therapy to treat;
- Chemical spills causing permanent nerve damage or burns that require extensive medical treatment;
- Repetitive motion injuries that cause conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome that may permanently prevent a worker from returning to the workplace; and
- Broken bones that routinely take months to heal and that may have long-term, lingering effects.
What Can You Do to Avoid Hand Injuries?
It is the employer’s duty to create a safe working environment that will not result in injuries to employees. In Mississippi, that means that you have a right to work in a safe workplace. That said, there are steps that you can take to help prevent these injuries, such as wearing the protective gear provided to you, especially gloves. If no protective gear is provided, you should demand it in writing such as an email. Do not wear rings in a workplace where heavy machinery or other crushing injuries may occur. If you are an office worker who types all day, make sure that your employer is paying attention to ergonomics and that you have a desk and keyboard that allows you to perform your job without causing nerve damage to your hands or wrists.
What Should You Do If You Suffered a Hand Injury in the Workplace?
If you were injured or harmed as a result of your work, you may be due compensation for your loss of employment, injuries, and pain and suffering. Hiring a general practitioner to handle a claim related to worker’s compensation is a serious mistake, as only an attorney with extensive experience in getting injured workers compensated for their injuries will get you what you deserve.
Call Barrett Law now, an experienced Mississippi worker’s compensation law firm, to represent you if you were injured or harmed at work.
Barrett Law has the experience to take on defense attorneys and insurance companies that are focused on denying your compensation for the harm you experienced. Contact us now at (800) 707-9577.
