Workers' Compensation Attorney
Workers' compensation laws are an extremely important area of legislation that aims to protect workers by providing compensation for injuries suffered while on the job. This kind of compensation is generally designed to cover any necessary medical treatments and other associated expenses that result from injury.
The specific purpose of workers' compensation is to help ensure that employees who have been injured on the job can be taken care of without having to litigate their claim against their employer. It acts as a safety net for any employee who may have to undertake some level of personal risk while working on the job. That's why it's important for all workers to have a basic understanding of the laws and regulations surrounding workers' compensation, and the coverage that these laws provide.
If you are unfortunate enough to experience an injury while on the job, it's even more crucial that you hire an experienced personal injury attorney that knows how to process workers' compensation cases so that you have the best possible chance of receiving complete compensation for your injuries.
What Kind of Coverage Does Workers' Compensation Provide in Kansas?
Kansas workers' compensation laws provide a pretty broad range of coverage on accidental injuries and occupational diseases. That means that workers' compensation can cover a wide range of health complications, from serious illnesses like mesothelioma to more common conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.
Employers may have the ability to deny workers' compensation claims that they believe are a result of intentional, self-inflicted actions — which may include the willful failure to protect yourself from injury. This also can include an employee's reckless violation of workplace safety rules or any voluntary participation in reckless behavior like fighting or horseplay. Sorting through these types of disputes is why having an experienced attorney on your side can make all the difference in your case.
Can't I Just File Suit Against My Employer Instead?
Workers' compensation is usually considered a direct substitute for filing a lawsuit against your employer. Typically when you file a workers' compensation claim, you're choosing not to sue your employer in exchange for compensation benefits, regardless of who was at fault for your injuries.
Before the creation of workers' compensation, employees were required to seek compensation by taking their employer to court. With the institution of workers' compensation, employees are now automatically entitled to make a compensation claim, while employers are generally protected from an employee lawsuit.
It is important to remember that filing a workers' compensation claim does not mean you can't file a lawsuit if your injury was caused by someone other than your employer. These third-party lawsuits can apply to situations where you were injured on the job by someone who doesn't work for your employer, or by a defective product manufactured by a third party.
Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Serving Northeastern Kansas
If you’ve been injured on the job, you may not only be facing mounting medical bills but the prospect of lost wages due to missed work as well. That’s why the George Pearson Law Firm has been helping Kansas residents seek fair compensation for their injuries for over 35 years. If you’ve been injured at work, don’t fight this battle alone. Call today for a free consultation.