Georgia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
When a person grabs lunch, a coat and car keys to head off to work for the day, he or she fully expects to come home safe and sound. One typically does not think of slipping on a wet floor, falling off a stair landing or getting run into by a forklift. And yet accidents like that happen every day.
When an employee is injured at work, he or she is typically entitled to workers’ compensation for recovery of medical expenses, lost wages and other expenses. At Stokes & Kopitsky, P.A., our Georgia workers’ compensation lawyers are dedicated to making certain that injury victims are made whole.
ON-THE-JOB INJURIES AND ACCIDENTAL WORKPLACE DEATH
Each year people head off to work and don’t return. In 2011, 107 Georgia workers died in workplace accidents. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tracks illnesses, injuries and workplace accidents and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is in charge of rules to keep our workplaces safe. Yet, fatal accidents occur.
When that happens, the employee’s survivors may be entitled to workers’ compensation survivor’s benefits. At Stokes & Kopitsky, P.A., our Georgia workers’ compensation attorneys assist those who have lost a loved one due to workplace accident or injury.
According to the BLS, workplace fatalities occurred due to the following types of accidents or incidents:
- Transportation: 41 percent of all fatalities occurred in cars, trucks, buses and other vehicles
- Violence and homicides: 17 percent of fatalities were due to violence, mostly to women
- Contact with objects and equipment: 15 percent of fatalities, includes falling objects
- Falls, slips and trips: 14 percent of fatalities, most of which were from 20 feet or less
- Exposure to harmful substances or environments: 9 percent of all fatalities, includes chemical poisoning
- Fires and explosions: 3 percent of all fatalities, includes firefighters
Although some occupations seem inherently more dangerous, fatalities can occur almost anywhere. According to the BLS, the most dangerous industries in 2011 were:
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting – 24.4 fatalities per 100,000 workers
- Mining – 15.8 per 100,000
- Transportation and warehousing – 15 per 100,000
- Construction – 8.9 per 100,000
Some of the least dangerous industries were utilities, professional and business services, the information industry and financial activities, and yet even in these professions, fatalities occurred.
HOW A GEORGIA WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LAWYER CAN HELP
When an accident or on-the-job injury occurs, there is perhaps an assumption that the employer will take care of everything. That assumption is not always correct. For a variety of reasons an employer could choose to fight a workers’ compensation claim. When that happens, a skilled Georgia workers’ compensation attorney can help.
At Stokes & Kopitsky, P.A., we understand how devastating an injury can be. We have experience dealing with all types of injuries, including crush injuries, burns, broken bones and traumatic head injuries. We know how to investigate a situation and assess the short and long-term effects of an injury or work-related illness. Should there be negligence related to a workplace accident, additional compensation may be due to the injured employee. Should the injury result in a permanent disability, Social Security Disability Insurance may also become part of a long-term plan.
A workplace accidental injury can be complicated legal matter, so it makes sense to obtain experienced legal counsel. When a skilled Georgia workers’ compensation attorney understands and can handle any issue, the injured worker can concentrate on healing.
At our law firm there is no legal fee unless we obtain a recovery on behalf of our client. For more information about our law firm can help, please contact us online or by calling 404-892-0011.
