Big Leap, Author at Ahlander Injury Law

Why You Need an Attorney for Your Workers’ Compensation Case

June 22, 2022 by Big Leap

Workers’ compensation exists in order to protect employees if they receive an injury while on the job. While it is intended for their benefit, it can be a complicated system to navigate alone. Having an attorney on your side makes the process much easier and it can land you with a much better outcome.

Help Navigating the System

As mentioned, the process to receive compensation through the workers’ compensation system is complicated and often confusing. It’s full of legal jargon that the average person may struggle to understand. There are also specific steps and forms that need to be filled out. It can be overwhelming and there are many ways it could go wrong. To protect yourself from this, you should hire an attorney to assist on your case. They are very familiar with the process and know exactly what needs to be done and they will know how to handle your individual case. You can rest assured that they will handle everything.

Allow You Time to Recover

One of the most difficult parts of the workers’ compensation process is the fact that claims need to be filed quickly in order for you to receive compensation. This can be difficult if you are severely injured and can’t manage filing things on your own. Having an attorney on your team can remove this burden. They can handle filing the claim and handling all the intricacies while you have time to actually recover from your injuries. If you’ve been injured on the job, you shouldn’t have to be stressed or overwhelmed by workers’ compensation. You deserve time to recover and prepare for your return to work.

Attention to Detail

Every workers’ compensation case will be different and there are many intricacies involved that could alter the case. Even a small detail can make a difference as to whether or not you receive the expected compensation. If you navigate your case alone, you could miss these nuances and lose out on the proper payout. Your attorney is very experienced and they know what details to look for and they know what will impact your case the most. In order to make sure you get the full compensation, you should consider having an attorney assist on your case.

Being injured on the job can cause major disruptions to your life and you want to make sure you are properly compensated. Unfortunately, the workers’ compensation system is difficult to manage alone. Finding an attorney is an important first step.

Were you recently injured on the job? Click here to find an attorney to assist with your claim.

How You Can Be Compensated After an Auto Accident

June 8, 2022 by Big Leap

Getting into any kind of accident is a stressful experience and in the aftermath you may be wondering what will happen next. Typically, you are entitled to some compensation from either your insurance company or the insurance company of the other party or parties involved. The compensation you receive will depend on the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Medical Expenses

In any accident, there is a potential for injuries. They could be minor and only mildly inconveniencing. However, they could also be more severe and cause serious disruptions to your life. Whatever the case may be, you should receive compensation from the insurance company to cover your medical expenses. This compensation includes the cost of any procedures you undergo as well as any other medical expenses you have. Medical care is expensive and it can be a burden, especially after a bad accident. Fortunately, insurance coverage can help remove that burden from you.

Vehicle Damage

Once you’ve addressed your own health and safety, you need to address any damage done to your vehicle. There could be minor damage like scratches/dents or your car could be totaled. In most cases, the insurance company belonging to the at-fault party in the accident will cover the cost of any damages inflicted on the vehicles involved. You can rest-assured that the cost of the damage your vehicle has received won’t be another burden for you after an accident. However, it’s important that you make an insurance claim quickly so you can receive compensation and so the insurance companies can determine who was at fault. It is also important to get an estimate for the damages to your car, even when they seem minor. Insurance companies will often argue that the crash wasn’t bad because you never got an estimate.

Lost Wages and Other Suffering

What many people may not know is compensation from insurance companies actually covers more than just medical costs and vehicle damage. For example, you may receive compensation for lost wages. This occurs if you are injured to the point where you cannot work until you’ve recovered from your injuries. The insurance company can compensate you with the money you would be making if you could work. You may also apply for compensation based on emotional or mental suffering you’ve experienced as a result of the accident.

Insurance companies are in place in order to provide financial relief after any kind of tragedy. After an accident, your finances are not the first thing you want to be dealing with. Fortunately, you can receive compensation to remove any burdens you have.

Have you recently been in an accident? Click here to find an attorney to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

What You Should Do If You’ve Been Injured at a Business

May 18, 2022 by Big Leap

While it is unfortunate, many people can receive injuries while visiting a business. Most common injuries include trips or falls, but every type of injury should be taken seriously. If you’ve been injured at a business, you need to know what steps to follow.

Report the Incident

The very first thing you should do is report the incident to management. They need to have a record of any incidents that take place on their property. When reporting the incident, it’s helpful to have witnesses who can back up your story. Additionally, you can ask if there are any security cameras that may have captured your injury. Make sure you have plenty of evidence and be clear when reporting the incident. This incident report may be used later when discussing liability and compensation.

Determine if Any Safety Measures Were in Place

If there are hazards on the property, then the business owner should take measures to alert people to those hazards or reduce them. For example, in many grocery stores a “Wet Floor” sign will be put down to alert people to any spills. Once you’ve been injured, look around where the incident took place. First identify what caused your injury and then see if there were any measures in place to prevent it. Whether or not there were safety measures in place can help determine a business owner’s fault in your case. Again, it’s essential that you have evidence to back up your claims. You should take pictures of the area or have witnesses available.

Contact an Attorney

If your injury is serious or if the business is not willing to work with you, contacting an attorney is ideal. In any kind of injury case, many people are unsure of what their rights are and what actions they can take. Working with an attorney can lead to a better outcome for your case. They know how to navigate these issues and they know what steps to follow. Find an attorney who can help you end up with favorable results.

When you’re injured on the property of any kind of business, the business can be liable for the incident and compensation for your injuries. You have the right to seek compensation for any damages you have suffered. Finding the right help can allow you to walk away from the incident with a better outcome.

Were you recently injured while visiting a business? Click here to find an attorney to help with your case.

How to Stay Safe in the Workplace

May 4, 2022 by Big Leap

While it is largely your employer’s responsibility to keep you safe while at work, there are still steps you can take to ensure your own safety. Taking these measures can help you prevent accidents or injuries in order to keep you and your coworkers safe.

Keep Your Workspace Clean

No matter what type of job you have, you want to make sure your work area is clean. When it’s messy or things are disorganized, there’s a higher chance of accidents occurring. Keep your area organized. If everything has a designated place, it’s easier to keep things from becoming a mess or a problem. If you spill anything, clean it up immediately. Failing to clean up spills quickly leads to more slips and falls. Throughout the day, find ways to clear your workspace. You want to make sure you have a clear walkway and an organized area.

Report Any Hazards

Many accidents and injuries can occur simply because people aren’t aware of hazards. If you find any kind of hazard in your workplace, you need to report it immediately. When hazards are reported, they can be addressed in the proper fashion including putting up signs, sectioning off an area, or finding ways to remove the hazard. When you report hazards in the workplace, you make the area safe for you and all of your coworkers. To further ensure a safe work environment, encourage fellow employees to report any hazards they may find.

Participate in Safety Trainings

Your workplace should be providing you with safety trainings. Often, these occur when you are first hired, but they may also take place periodically throughout your employment. Trainings exist to inform employees of the hazards in the workplace, how to avoid or deal with them, and what protocols to follow to stay safe. Keep in mind that some protocols can change over time and there might be updates at each training. For your own safety, make sure you attend these trainings and pay attention to what is taught. This can better prepare you to handle any hazards you may face and you can reduce your risk of injury.

Staying safe at work is not always a guarantee. Your actions, and the actions of your employer, can make a major difference in whether or not accidents or injuries occur. Even when you do all you can, they may still take place and fortunately you are protected in the form of workers’ compensation.

Have you been injured on the job? Click here to contact an attorney who can help you understand your workers’ compensation and get the treatment you deserve.

Car Accidents Involving Teenage Drivers

April 20, 2022 by Big Leap

As a parent of a teen driver, your worst fear is likely that your child will get into an accident. You should be teaching your teen and taking measures to avoid this possibility. However, you also need to understand what to do and know if an accident involving your teen does occur.

Ensure Your Child’s Safety

Your main priority after an accident should be the safety of your child. Yes, you may first think about damage to the car, cost of the insurance, frustration with your child etc. but those should be secondary concerns. Once you hear your teen has been in a car accident, you should first assess whether or not they are ok. Ask about their injuries and make sure they are safe. Whether or not you are on the scene, you should keep in mind that your child is likely distressed. Do your best to take on as many responsibilities as possible including calling the police, filing a report, and talking with the other driver(s). In the moment, accidents are scary and while teens should learn what to do, you should save the teaching moment for afterward.

Understand How it Affects Your Insurance

After every accident, you should file a claim with your insurance company in order to cover any damages. However, accidents involving teenagers can have more of a far reaching impact on your insurance. Adding a teen to your insurance already raises your monthly premiums, but their actions can also further increase charges. The increase to your insurance premiums will depend on what happened. For example, drunk driving that results in an accident will increase your insurance much more than if your teen is in a fender bender. You should contact your insurance company after the accident to see how your insurance costs will personally be affected.

Make a Plan for the Future

Once you’ve dealt with police reports, insurance claims, injuries, and vehicle damage, you should sit down with your teen and have a conversation. In this conversation, you should discuss what they can do in the future to avoid accidents and what they should make sure they do next time they are in one. Focus on teaching them lessons rather than placing blame. In some accidents, it may be necessary to involve an attorney in order to work out insurance claims or other issues that come up with the other driver(s). Involve your teen in the process so they can continue to learn.

Accidents are scary for anyone who’s in them, but they are especially frightening when your teenager is involved. It’s important to know how you should handle these accidents both during and after the accident takes place.

If you’re concerned about the legal ramifications related to your teen’s car accident, you may need an attorney on your side. Click here to learn more about how Ahlander Injury Law can assist you.