Work Related Injury Lawyer
Nearly 3 million people suffer from workplace injuries and illnesses in the U.S. each year.
Employees can suffer different kinds of injuries while working. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 3 million people suffered from workplace injuries and illnesses in 2012. Many of the injuries were due to overexertion, being caught in machinery, slip-and-fall accidents, burns, and repetitive motion injuries.
If you have suffered a workplace injury and are uncertain of your rights, seek out knowledgeable legal counsel.
Have you been injured at work?
Call (816) 399-3706.
Free Kansas City Workers Compensation Consultation!
James Hoffmann has practiced workers compensation law for over 20 years, possessing the negotiating skills, trial experience, medical knowledge, and insurance acumen to confidently pursue full compensation for every client.
Types of Work Injuries
Employees can suffer all kinds of injuries while working. In Mr. Hoffmann’s 20 plus years as a work injury lawyer, he has represented clients who have suffered all types of work-related injuries. Some of the common injuries include:
- Back Injuries
- Neck Injuries
- Knee Injuries
- Hand and Wrist Injuries
- Shoulder Injuries
- Burns & Electrocutions
- Occupational Diseases
We explain the workers’ comp process to clients and can get involved at any state: initial application, resubmitting claims to insurance companies, or appealing a case to an administrative law judge or a higher court. Mr. Hoffmann has a broad knowledge of all types of work-related injuries and what your claim for disability or permanent injury is probably worth.
Back Injuries
Back injuries are among some of the most common and can be some of the most painful and debilitating medical problems a person will ever have to experience. Common work-related back injuries include:
- Herniated, bulging or slipped discs
- Back spasms
- Chronic back pain
- Spinal cord damage
- Lumbar disc and cervical disc fractures
- Pinched nerves
Some people may develop back problems over time through repetitive stress. Other injuries may be the result of an accident such as a slip or fall, a vehicle accident or lifting incident. The back injury may vary in severity. Some may be minor, while others are more serious situations involving long-term medical treatment or disability.
Neck Injuries
Neck injuries in the workplace can involve a sudden pain while performing your duties on the job or maybe a gradual build-up of pain over a period of time. Some neck injuries can be minor and will resolve themselves, with minor medical treatment, within a matter of months. Others are permanent and may require continual medical attention, such as physical therapy.
Have you been injured at work?
Call (816) 399-3706.
Free Kansas City Workers Compensation Consultation!
Neck injuries can cause referred pain in the head in the form of headaches. Pain can also radiate into your back, shoulders, arms, and fingers. Once you are able to receive treatment, make sure your healthcare professional is aware of all these issues. In more severe neck injury cases, surgery may be required. Neck injuries are some of the most serious work-related injuries. Even if you have a pre-existing neck condition, you may be eligible for workers compensation.
Knee Injuries
Knee injuries are a common work-related injury. The knees provide flexibility and stability to the body. In order to perform these functions the knees contain bones, cartilage, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Any of these parts can be affected by a knee injury. The full extent of the injury to the knees may not be fully apparent until well after the accident has occurred.
Common knee injuries that can occur in the workplace are:
- Cartilage injuries, such as Chondromalacia
- Ligament Strains
- Tendon tears
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome
- Knee muscle injuries
- Broken or fractured kneecaps
If you have injured your knee while on the job, you are entitled to Missouri workers compensation benefits. You should be compensated for medical expenses, knee surgery, rehabilitation, and lost wages.
Hand and Wrist Injuries
Following back injuries, hand and wrist injuries are the most common work-related injuries among American workers. They can be caused by a number of work-related tasks. Employees who perform a range of activities over and over again while using the same arm are at risk of developing hand or wrist injuries.
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common work-related wrist injuries. It is pain, tingling or other problems with your hand because of pressure on the median nerve in your wrist. This nerve controls movement and feeling in your thumb and first three fingers. Any type of pressure on this nerve can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. In a work environment, it can be caused by working with bent wrists, by a high rate of repetition using the hands or a lack of time to rest for jobs requiring forceful hand movements. People who work with computers often complain of wrist injuries due to typing for long periods of time.
Shoulder Injuries
Shoulder injuries typically occur from repetitive arm movements or heavy lifting. Employees that are required to do throwing or overhead work are especially at risk.
Some of the common types of shoulder injuries that occur in the workplace are:
- Range of motion impairment
- Peripheral nerve issues
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Dislocated shoulders
- Frozen shoulder
- Severe shoulder pain
Some shoulder injuries are minor requiring a short healing process with physical therapy, while others are more serious and require surgery or even long-term treatment.
Burns & Electrocutions
Many electrocution accidents occur in the workplace and account for approximately 1,000 deaths in the U.S. every year. Power lines, faulty wiring, and appliances that malfunction are at the top of the list for causes, and construction workers, engineers, utility employees, and electricians are at the most risk at work for electrocution accidents.
These types of injuries can cause burns, nerve damage, seizures, internal organ damage, and possibly death.
Occupational Diseases
An occupational disease is a condition or illness that occurs as a direct result of work or occupational activity. It is estimated that 860,000 illnesses and 60,300 deaths occur each year from workplace exposures in the United States.
Occupational diseases include any type of chronic disease caused by environmental factors or activities in the workplace. There are many different types, each having a different cause. Some of the more common ones include:
- Mesothelioma
- Asbestosis
- Lung Disease
- Heart Disease
- Skin Disease
- Central Nervous System Disease
- Other Occupational Cancers
These conditions may be the result of exposure to agents such as asbestos, radiation, pesticides, gas, and other dangerous solvents.
When a Work Injury Occurs
If you have been injured at work the first thing you need to do is report the incident to your employer. Tell them how you were injured and where and when the injury occurred. They will submit the injury to their workers’ compensation insurance company and it is up to them to decide whether or not they will approve medical treatment. In many cases, they will deny your benefits or make it extremely difficult for you to obtain them.
You may have suffered a legitimate work-related injury, followed the proper steps and yet your claim is still not being handled properly. It is important to seek the help of an experienced Workers Compensation Lawyer.
Kansas City Work Injury Lawyer
The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann has practiced workers compensation law for over 20 years. Ensure that your rights are protected, call (816) 399-3706 or complete our Online Case Evaluation Form.
Injuries & Resources
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