School And Work Injuries Attorney in Louisville

School And Work Injuries

At Ewing & Willis, our attorneys represent workers who are injured on the job in workplace accidents or injured at school throughout Louisville and beyond. We represent workers in dangerous occupations such as the construction industry, as well as employees in relatively nonhazardous occupations who nevertheless fall victim to an occupational injury or illness. Workplace accidents often involve complicated questions concerning whether the employer or a third party is responsible for the injury, and the answer to that question can impact how the case is handled and how the worker is compensated.

Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Law

Almost all employers and their employees in Kentucky are covered by the workers’ compensation law. When an employee is injured on the job, the injured worker is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits covering medical expenses and wage replacement for time missed from work or work performed at a lower wage. The advantage to the employee of the workers’ compensation system is that it is not necessary to go to court and prove that the employer was negligent in order to receive benefits. However, don’t make the mistake of thinking that the process is a simple one. There are still many ways your employer or their insurance carrier may challenge or deny your claim, so it is good to have an attorney on your side who can make the best case for your claim and represent you in any hearings or appeals which may be needed.

In most cases, you are restricted to using the workers’ compensation system and cannot sue your employer, even if they were negligent. There are, however, some exceptions. For instance, if your employer failed to obtain workers’ compensation insurance coverage, or if you rejected participation in the system, then you can sue in court and collect damages which may be greater than what workers’ compensation typically offers. You must, of course, be prepared to prove your case, which means you should hire an experienced personal injury attorney for your on-the-job injury.

Third-Party Liability For Workplace Accidents

There are other times when a lawsuit or claim separate from your workers’ compensation claim may be in order. These times are when the accident is caused by a third party instead of your employer or a co-worker. For instance, you could be working off-site and receive an injury on another’s unsafe premises, or you could be making deliveries or running errands for work and get injured in a car accident. Additionally, if you are injured by the use of a defective product while on the job, you may be able to sue the manufacturer in addition to any workers’ compensation benefits you file for. Our lawyers can help you in any of these situations.

Get Help Today For A Louisville Workplace Accident

If you are injured on the job, from construction to coal mining to retail or office work, the personal injury attorneys at Ewing & Willis can help. Call our office in Louisville for a free consultation: 502-585-5800.