Dec 2, 2025 | Work Injuries
When it comes to a workplace injury, there are two separate categories that all injuries fall into: temporary or permanent disability. Obviously, the terms are quite indicative of what falls into each category. However, there are some key differences that you might want to understand as you begin to move forward with your worker’s compensation claim. Depending on your injury, your benefits will differ quite a bit…
Temporary or Permanent Disability: What’s The Difference?
Temporary disability
In this group, a person may experience an accident at work. Due to this injury, the person may not be able to go to work or fulfill duties of the job for a period of time. During this period, the employee can apply for temporary disability benefits. These benefits can provide the injured party with an income to make up for the loss of wages at work. These wages normally consist of about 2/3 of that employer’s weekly salary. There are both minimum and maximums to the amount of wages the benefits will match. However, at some point this employee will go back to working. Therein lies the difference between these two groups.
Permanent disability
Unlike the first group, permanent disability means an employee will not be able to return to work at all. In that case, this person will no longer be able to earn that income. Therefore, this employee may be able to receive a payment for this loss of wages. And the amount of the payment will depend on how severe the injury is. If the injury presents a larger limitation for that person, they will receive a larger payment. In addition, the amount may also depend on the age of the employee and the salary they were making at he time of the accident.
Knowing Your Benefits and Rights
No matter which group you may fall into, it is important to be familiar with the benefits that belong to you. If you’ve faced a workplace injury, it should not be your responsibility to cover the costs. When you are hurt on the job, you have certain rights that you might not understand. That’s where we come in…
Nov 25, 2025 | Work Injuries, Workers' Compensation
There are many different positions in the workforce which might lead to your requiring the use of scaffolding. Maybe you work in construction, architecture, window cleaning, or even painting. Whatever the profession, it’s important that scaffolding safety be used every step of the way. From construction, to removal, and everything in between— there is a danger to this workplace necessity. However, there are plenty of ways that you can combat it.
Scaffolding Safety: Avoiding Unnecessary Injury
It starts with construction…
As with anything safety-related, there should be a seasoned professional in charge of constructing the scaffolding you’ll be using for any job. When scaffolding isn’t built correctly, it might not be stable enough to hold there necessary weight, and you run the risk of a dangerous, or even deadly, collapse. Hire someone qualified to do the work, and remember to do your own research.
While you want a qualified person in the driver’s seat— you should be prepared to ask a few questions: what footing will you use? Are the planks strong enough to support the necessary weight? And lastly, will there be the necessary support wires and ropes to support heavy loads attached to the scaffolding? While a seasoned professional will obviously have all of these supplies and questions at the ready— you never can be too sure.
Workplace safety
Just as you want qualified professionals building the scaffolding, you also want professionals using them. Scaffolding is often a bit wobbly, regardless of sound construction. Furthermore, it can also be quite tight in terms of work space. Slip and fall injuries are a common risk associated with scaffolding, and that’s where safety comes in.
Avoid slipping hazards
Keep your scaffolding clear of obstructions and hazards, such as rain, ice, or slippery materials— such as paint. Furthermore, keep your tripping hazards in place, such as your tools. Work only under safe conditions. No high winds, no rain, and no distractions.
Safety equipment
Lastly, make sure you’re using the proper safety equipment when working on the scaffolding. From non-slip shoes, to safety harnesses, hard hats, — safety is the number one priority in any and all work environments.
Nov 18, 2025 | Work Injuries, Workers' Compensation
Filing a workers’ compensation claim can be an emotionally draining experience, especially when you’re already dealing with an injury. It often involves a mix of stress, uncertainty, and frustration as you navigate paperwork, medical appointments, and interactions with your employer and insurance adjusters. Preparing yourself mentally can help you stay grounded and focused throughout the process. Whether you are just starting your claim or you’re already facing delays or pushback, understanding what to expect can ease anxiety and improve your ability to cope. It’s important to go in with realistic expectations, stay organized, and be ready to advocate for yourself if needed. Having the right mindset can also help you manage setbacks and avoid burnout. The claims process may not be quick or simple, but staying mentally strong can make a real difference in your outcome.
Mentally Preparing Yourself for a Workers’ Compensation Claim: Making the Process Less Stressful
Be Realistic
One of the first steps in preparing for a workers’ compensation claim is to set realistic expectations. The process can be slow, and it’s not always straightforward. You may face delays, questions about your injury, or even a denial at first. Knowing this ahead of time helps you avoid added stress and disappointment if things don’t move as quickly as you’d like.
Get Organized
Another way to mentally prepare for a workers’ compensation claim is to get organized. Keep a folder or digital file of all your medical records, communication with your employer, and forms you’ve submitted. Being able to quickly find what you need will save you time and reduce frustration. Staying organized can also help you feel more in control of your situation. When you plan to make phone calls, have all of the information in front of you so that you can answer questions quickly about how the accident occurred, or who medical providers are.
Ask for Help
It’s also helpful to recognize when you need support. Talking with a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional can help you manage the emotional side of your injury and claim. In some cases, hiring a workers’ compensation attorney can ease the pressure and give you peace of mind. They can help you navigate the process itself, ensure that your paperwork is filed correctly, advocate on your behalf for the claim, and help you calculate the compensation that your company owes you.
Stay Focused
Finally, patience and focus are key to managing the stress of a workers’ compensation claim. It’s normal to feel frustrated when things take longer than expected or when paperwork piles up. Take things one step at a time and remind yourself that healing and fair treatment are the main goals. Mental resilience can help you keep going, even when the process feels difficult.
Preparing for a workers’ compensation claim starts with understanding that the process might be slow and complicated. Staying organized can reduce stress and help you respond quickly when action is needed. Emotional support and legal guidance can also lighten the load and give you the strength to keep going. Speak with a qualified attorney about your rights and to help you get the compensation that you deserve. Finally, having patience and mental focus can help you stay steady during long or frustrating periods. Give yourself some grace, and understand that it can take a while to feel like yourself again. Not only are you dealing with recovery from an injury or illness, but also with the
Oct 13, 2025 | Personal Injury, Work Injuries
When it comes to worker’s comp cases— there are plenty of cases that come through our offices. From slips and falls, broken bones, construction injuries… It seems that hurt workers emerge from every field— no matter the assumed danger. However, what happens when you’re faced with workplace violence?
Workplace violence can come in different forms. From verbal and physical abuse, sexual violence, robbery… This type of violence comes in many different forms, which means that there are many ways to address it…
Workplace Violence: Addressing Unexpected Trauma
Prevention
Quite obviously, the best way to handle this type of trauma— is to prevent it. While accidents will always happen— there are certain steps you can take to prevent violence…
- Review your hiring and vetting process. Consider more in-depth background checks, reference checks— and even annual or semi-annual reviews of all staff.
- Review security and update. Install cameras, metal detectors, or whatever security settings you see fit to prevent danger in your workplace.
- Encourage staff to report threats, incidents, or fears of workplace violence in a way that makes them comfortable. Anonymous tips, emails to HR, and other means of reporting can prevent many issues.
- Take time every now and then to encourage team building exercises
- Provide workplace counselors for those in need, or those who face tragedy in their work or personal life.
Understand common stressors, causes, and red flags
There are some issues that can be outside of your control— such as sexual abuse, or armed robbery. However, much workplace violence occurs when there are angry employees, faulty protocol, improperly vetted employees, or general stress.
If you find yourself suspicious of potential workplace violence, or the victim of such, it’s important that you seek out assistance…
…Whether that comes in form of calling the police, reporting to your boss, or an attorney after the fact— there are options for prevention and also dealing with the problem.
If you have been the victim of workplace violence, we offer our condolences. The events you have endured can lead to injuries, physical and emotional trauma, as well as resulting medical costs— depending on the event. Therefore, you might need an attorney to defend your right to damages.
Oct 12, 2025 | Trucking/Tractor-Trailer Accidents, Work Injuries
There are plenty of different fields you can enter within the workforce. Form physical labor, to desk jobs, and even hitting the road. The thing to remember with any job, is that they come with their own set of risks. Even desk jobs come with a heightened risk of back and neck injuries. Another field that often leads to back injuries, is truck driving. Truck driving-related work injuries are extremely common due to the nature of the job. While many injuries are obvious in nature, there are also a few which you might not have considered…
Truck Driving-Related Work Injuries
Back and Neck
Quite obviously, when it comes to truck driving-related work injuries, your back is at a high risk of facing issue. If you consider what a truck driver is doing— driving long hours, sleeping in close quarters, and also occasionally lifting and unloading heavy materials… It’s easy to see how these injuries would occur. Therefore, it’s important to practice good posture in driving and lifting.
Consider purchasing additional support for your driver’s seat, and also pulling over for a stretch every now and then. While stiffness is pesky, it’s also not low-impact. You want to stretch your muscles, maybe take a short walk, and engage your back before sitting back down in that seat to avoid truck driving-related work injuries.
Slips and Falls
While you might not think that there’s much action which can lead to injury— there are actually a few different ways to face slip and fall truck driving-related work injuries. From getting in and out of the truck, to lifting the back door, lowering the lift gate… Even these seemingly small actions put you at risk for taking a tumble and hurting yourself.
Repetitive Stress Injuries, and Ignored Issues
You’re sitting in the truck for long periods of time. Your back might hurt a little bit, but you’re not too concerned. However, ignoring those little pains can lead to a bigger issue, and serious truck driving-related work injuries. In fact, ignoring that injury can lead to further injury down the line. Due to the fact that your back is under stress, and ignored— the issue can amplify.
There isn’t the same opportunity to heal while continuing your job when you’re a truck driver. Instead, you’re sitting down. Therefore, it’s important to take a day or tow when you need it. That way, you can avoid a prolong time spent off the road to trying to recover from truck driving-related work injuries.
Oct 5, 2025 | Work Injuries, Workers' Compensation
Getting back to work after a work injury can be difficult, painful, and time consuming. Furthermore, you’re likely wondering what the requirements are for returning to work. Who do I have to tell? Will I still receive necessary medical care? And can I request light duty? Making your work return after an injury can be a difficult process. But we’re here to answer questions, and help make sense of it all.
Making your Work Return after Work Injury: What Do I Need to Know?
After an accident or illness on the job, making your work return can be stressful. However, a doctor may release you to begin light duty. While the pain may be manageable, it may still be there. That means, at times, even light duty work responsibilities may still leave you hurting. Furthermore, there is also a chance you may not be returning to the same job or position. In that case you will have the stress of learning a new position and developing a new routine. In the midst of these stressful issues, you may also have questions about workers comp.
Compensation for lost time
After you go back to work, you may still miss some days due to you injury or illness. For instance, doctor’s appointments and therapy session may be a cause of missing time. In addition, just being in pain or sick may require you to stay out of work. In that case, you may be able to receive worker’s comp for that lost time even after returning to light duty, or standard, work.
Keeping your previous job open
Your employer does not have to keep your job open. However, a lot of employers will take you back when you can return for light duty. Therefore, it may be a good idea to keep in contact with your employer throughout your injury process. Keep them updated, ask about your position, and make preparations for your return.
Who you should tell?
Before you feel ready to return to work, or when the doctor gives the all clear, it’s important to make your employer aware and begin making preparations. Furthermore, once you return to work, you must notify the Worker’s Compensation Board. Lastly, the insurance carrier that is paying your medical bills should be made aware as well.
Understanding Your Benefits
Returning to work can be a challenging, but understanding your benefits and responsibilities— makes the process that much smoother. While unfortunate, it can be very easy to be denied benefits, or taken advantage of, during the worker’s compensation process. If you feel that you fall into that category, reach out to an attorney today. Dealing with a work injury is difficult enough already, don’t lose out on your benefits, or position, as well.
