Clients often come to me with questions about injuries they suffered at work. This is not a surprise given the number of physically punishing careers. But even people who work in offices or in low-intensity jobs can have work-related injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and slips and falls. There are a wide variety of factors that influence whether you will be compensated for a workplace injury in Mississippi and how much. One thing is critical to know—you will need to have experienced personal injury counsel help you attain your fair share of compensation from a workplace injury. Barrett Law has the experience to help you through this process. Contact us now at (601) 790-1505.
What Type of Claim?
In Mississippi, you may be eligible for worker’s compensation if you are injured in the workplace, including traveling for work. However, if you are negligently harmed by a third party in the workplace—such as a client or coworker—or if your employer injures you negligently, you may pursue both a worker’s compensation claim and a lawsuit for negligence against the party that injured you. Deciding whether a worker’s compensation claim or lawsuit or both is appropriate will require the help of an attorney.
Documentation Is Critical
Report all work injuries immediately. The longer you wait to report the injury, the greater the chance that your employer or a third party will claim that some intervening act—such as a slip and fall at home—caused your injury. You want to be able to show that your injury was directly caused by either the workplace or some third party in the workplace. Your employer may have a policy about immediately reporting injuries; follow it and make sure to get a copy of whatever report you file.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
You must attain medical treatment immediately. As in the case of reporting the accident, you want to establish a clear causal connection between the workplace or third party and your medical condition. Delaying medical care weakens that connection and can make it more difficult for a doctor to link whatever injury you are suffering from to the incident that actually caused it.
Attend Follow-Up Appointments and Keep Records of Those Appointments
If you fail to attend follow-up medical appointments, that failure could give rise to the notion that your injury is not as severe as you portrayed. Failing to attend those appointments can also lead to the belief that your injuries were made worse by your failure to attend to them responsibly. Once you commence a course of care, stick with it until it a medical professional directs you to stop.
Can I Be Compensated for My Workplace Injury?
Under Mississippi worker’s compensation, your medical costs, lost wages, and ongoing treatment will be paid to you if your worker’s compensation claim is granted. This may make you whole in relation to the expenses associated with your injury. But if your employer or a third party harmed you negligently, you may be due money for pain and suffering, future loss of compensation, permanent disability, punitive damages, and other claims. To receive payment for these losses, you will likely need to file a negligence lawsuit against the party who injured you. You should seek the advice of experienced counsel to determine which path forward is appropriate based on your facts.
What Should You Do If You Were Injured?
If you suffer a workplace injury, focus on yourself and on healing. Let experienced counsel take care of preserving medical records, dealing with worker’s compensation, attaining expert diagnoses, and dealing with insurance companies. These are important tasks that a personal injury attorney can handle for you.
Call Barrett Law now, an experienced Mississippi personal injury law firm, to represent you if you have suffered a workplace injury.
Barrett Law has the experience to take on defense attorneys and insurance companies that are focused on denying your compensation for the injury you experienced. Contact us now at (601) 790-1505.
