Keeping your family safe from harm is something you probably take very seriously. But there is a large, heavy threat in your home that can be dangerous that you might not even realize. Your garage door may not seem dangerous, but it’s big, it’s heavy, and it moves. And if it’s not treated the right way, serious accidents could happen.

Garage door injury claims are on the rise. But you don’t need to be scared of such a functional part of your home. With a little care and maintenance, your garage door will do its job safely. Here are some garage safety tips to keep your family safe and your garage door in perfect working order.

1. Keep garage door controls out of the reach of children

This includes the opener button inside the garage and the remote controls you use in the car. Children see buttons to push and don’t realize how dangerous putting the door up and down can be.

2. Perform routine inspections on the various parts of the door and tracks

This also includes making sure the safety sensors attached to the bottom of the rails are in place and functioning properly. This will ensure that if a person or animal moves in front of the sensors when the door is closing, the sensors will automatically stop the door. You should also periodically check the rails, springs and door joints to make sure they are in good working order.

3. Exercise caution when the door is in motion

To avoid getting fingers pinched between the door panels don’t touch the door when it’s in motion, or be very careful if you do. Be sure to tell your children to keep a safe distance from the door when its moving. And never let anyone “ride” the door while it is opening.

Take care of your door

Your garage door is nothing to be afraid of. It’s a necessary part of your home that protects your vehicles and personal items. But like other machinery, it needs to be cared for and treated with respect. If your garage door is older or isn’t working properly, it might be time to think about replacing it. Although it can be a large expense, it will be worth it to have a safe and reliable garage door.

At Ahlander Injury Law, we specialize in helping you recover from accidents by getting you the compensation you need. Our talented staff knows the law and they will provide the help you need. Contact us today and see how Ahlander Injury Law can help you get back on track.

You do your job. You clock in each day, and you take care of business, steadily checking items off your to-do list. Then something happens. Maybe some boxes tip over, maybe the package you received was a lot heavier than you expected, maybe a door comes crashing closed at just the wrong time. Before you know it, just another day at the office becomes the day that you are no longer able to work–at least for a while.

So what do you do now?

Once you seek the proper medical attention, you will want to file a workers’ compensation claim. Your employer has coverage that will help alleviate the financial strain that comes along with getting injured on the job.

What does workers’ compensation cover?

It will cover hospital bills, the ambulance ride, and other costs associated with the injury. It also covers a portion of missed wages associated with the injury, any attorney fees you may accrue in the claims process, and provides temporary disability for the time needed to recover from the work-related injury.

What happens after you file a claim?

Once your employer’s insurance company accepts the claim, it will likely offer money to cover medical bills along with a payment plan for the other costs covered. You can choose to accept the insurance company’s offer, or you can press for a lump sum settlement or a larger structured settlement. If you decide to seek a larger settlement, you and your attorney will negotiate with your employer’s insurance company. Your company is kept in the loop, but you would not be engaged in any direct negotiations with your employer.

Your attorney and the insurance company will negotiate, which can result in a compromise amount between their initial offer and the amount you subsequently seek. If you cannot agree on a settlement, you may engage in a workers’ comp hearing in which a judge will decide on the amount to be awarded. This could result in less than the previous offers, but with skilled representation, this is unlikely.

Whatever road your workers’ compensation claim takes, you want to have the best representation you can get. By having a skilled workers comp attorney like Ahlander Injury Law, you can get the settlement you deserve. With the right attorney taking care of your claim, you can focus on getting better.