Tuscaloosa Workplace Accident Lawyers
Strong representation for workers who suffer injuries while performing their jobs
Tuscaloosa is home to many different employers, including small businesses, public service organizations, construction companies, and manufacturing industries. Companies like Mercedes-Benz and BF Goodrich are located in or near Tuscaloosa. Workers in every type of job run a constant risk of injuries due to accidents. At Prince Glover Hayes, we represent employees and contractors who are hurt while doing their jobs. Our Tuscaloosa workplace accident lawyers will explain when workers can file a workers’ compensation claim and when they can file a personal injury claim. Our lawyers fight to ensure your employer doesn’t force you back to work until you’re healthy enough to perform your job. Contact us now to assert your right to compensation.
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How can we help
- What’s the difference between an employee and an independent contractor in Tuscaloosa?
- What’s the difference between a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury claim?
- Can workers file claims when defective equipment causes workplace injuries?
- What types of workplace accidents cause injuries in Tuscaloosa?
- What types of injuries do workplace accidents cause?
- What are the time limits for filing workplace accident claims in Tuscaloosa?
- Do you have a lawyer who can handle my work accident injury near me in Tuscaloosa?
What’s the difference between an employee and an independent contractor in Tuscaloosa?
The type of claim you can file, workers’ compensation or personal injury, against your employer depends on your job status. Generally, employees can only file a workers’ compensation claim against their employer if they suffer injuries due to a workplace accident. The families of employees who die while doing their jobs can file for workers’ compensation death benefits.
Independent contractors can file personal injury claims against their employer. The families of contractors can file wrongful death claims against their employer.
Remember, never automatically accept the classification your employer assigns to you. At Prince Glover Hayes, we can explain what type of worker you are. Sometimes, workers are employees even though their employer says they’re contractors – and vice versa.
Generally, you are classified as an employee if your employer controls your work performance. Some of the factors that indicate employer control are that the employer sets the hours of your work, provides the work equipment you need, and determines what jobs you can do. Contractors often work at multiple jobs during a season or year, control their hours, and provide their own tools.
What’s the difference between a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury claim?
In a workers’ compensation claim, you do not need to show that your employer was negligent. In fact, you can receive workers’ compensation benefits if you are negligent (provided your conduct wasn’t intentional). In a personal injury claim, a worker must show that the employer’s negligence is the cause of the worker’s injuries.
Some of the issues our Tuscaloosa workplace accident lawyers may address if you have a workers’ compensation claim include:
- Which doctors can treat you
- Whether your accident occurred during the scope of your employment
- Whether you had a pre-existing condition
- Your duty to work with a nurse case manager if one is assigned
- Your efforts to return to work once (and if) you are able
Workers’ compensation benefits
Workers who receive Alabama workers' compensation benefits receive:
- Medical costs. These include all of your medical bills, including the costs to maximize your health and keep your health from worsening - including ER care, hospitalizations, surgeries, rehabilitative care, medications, and assistive devices/technology.
- Temporary disability benefits. Typically, this amount is 2/3 of your average weekly wages for as long as you are receiving treatment to improve your health.
- Permanent disability benefits. Workers who have a permanent disability can receive up to 300 weeks of additional wage loss benefits (generally 2/3 of their pay before the accident).
Some time limits, other conditions, and exceptions may apply.
Personal injury benefits
Our Tuscaloosa work accident lawyers file personal injury claims on behalf of independent contractors against their employers. Personal injury compensation includes all of a worker’s current and future damages, including:
- Medical expenses of every nature
- 100% of lost income for every day an injured worker can’t work
- Pain and suffering, including every ache, moment of discomfort, anxiety, and stress
- Loss of consortium (enjoyment of marital relations)
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of bodily function
- Inability to enjoy life’s pleasures
As you can see, workers receive more benefits if they have a successful personal injury claim – provided they can show the employer was negligent.
Can workers file claims when defective equipment causes workplace injuries?
Yes. Both employees and independent contractors can file product liability claims against the manufacturers of defective workplace equipment, machinery, and tools. Our Tuscaloosa workplace accident lawyers have the experience and working relationships with product experts and other professionals to hold the manufacturers liable based on their negligence, breach of warranties, misrepresentations, or strict liability.
Strict liability means that manufacturers of forklifts, scaffolds, power tools, and other equipment can be held liable if a product defect causes an accident that results in a worker’s injuries. Product defects may exist because of poor design, craftsmanship, instructions, and warnings.
Product liability benefits are generally the same as personal injury benefits.
What types of workplace accidents cause injuries in Tuscaloosa?
Common Tuscaloosa workplace accidents include:
- Accidents due to overexertion, such as pushing, lifting, carrying, or pulling heavy objects
- Falls from heights such as scaffolds, ladders, and higher floors
- Slips and falls over wet surfaces, uneven ground, cables, debris, and other dangerous conditions
- Being pinned by workplace machines
- Being struck by workplace equipment
- Vehicle accidents
- Infections and other dangerous exposures
- Electric shock
- Accidents due to dehydration, fatigue, and the elements (wind, sun, cold, etc.)
- Many other accidents depending on the type of job
What types of injuries do workplace accidents cause?
We work with your doctors to verify your injuries and the medical care you need, including possible complications. In personal injury cases, we also work to have your doctors assess your physical pain and emotional suffering.
Prince Glover Hayes represents workers in Tuscaloosa who suffer any type of injury, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries, concussions, and head trauma
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis and herniated disks
- Loss of limb/traumatic amputation
- Thermal, chemical, electrical, and radiation burns
- Simple, complex, compound, and other types of fractures/broken bones
- Nerve and muscle damage
- Ligament, tissue, and tendon damage
- Back, neck, and shoulder pain=
- Repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and bursitis
- Overexertion injuries
- Respiratory illnesses
- Infections
- Facial injuries
- Hand injuries
- Loss of vision
- Inability to hear
- Crush injuries, including broken ribs, internal bleeding, and internal organ damage
- Occupational illnesses
What are the time limits for filing workplace accident claims in Tuscaloosa?
You must notify your employer if you have a workplace accident to preserve your workers’ compensation claim. “The law requires that notice be given within five days, but in any case, notice must be given within ninety days following the accident.” The statute of limitations (the time limit for filing a formal complaint for benefits) for workers’ compensation claims in Alabama is two years.
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Alabama is two years.
Don’t wait. Contact us as soon as possible so we can help determine the cause of the accident and the potential claims you could file.
Do you have a lawyer who can handle my work accident injury near me in Tuscaloosa?
Prince Glover Hayes meets injured workers at our office located at 2311 University Boulevard, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. If your workplace injuries prevent you from traveling to our office, we will make arrangements to see you at your home or a nearby healthcare facility. Our personal injury and workers’ compensation lawyers also discuss cases by phone and through online consultations.
We’re here to support you and to explain what type of benefits you can claim when injuries at work occur.
Speak with our experienced Tuscaloosa workplace accident attorneys today
You work to pay your bills and support your family. When workplace accidents happen, you need a dedicated Tuscaloosa workplace accident lawyer on your side. At Prince Glover Hayes, we have the experience to hold employers and manufacturers accountable for the compensation you deserve.
Call us or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We handle workers’ compensation and workplace product liability claims on a contingency fee basis.