Injury at work: Do I need to contact a lawyer to discuss a settlement or will the company make an offer first?
Work in a badly organized (almost criminal) company. They’ve partially covered the medical bills… and are now keeping quiet. One of my legs sustained permanent joint damage and the man that is responsible for my injury is blaming the ice on the ground when he drove the machine (he was intoxicated).
I’m kind of stuck since I don’t know what to do. I don’t know many people. As soon as a lawyer gets into the picture (and they find out), the company goes out of their way to “destroy” an employee by giving them the worst possible jobs, unpaid “days off”, etc.
What can I expect that’s a must when there’s a serious injury at work? Am I guaranteed anything? Should I wait until they give me a settlement or something that will compensate my injury and then contact a lawyer?
I haven’t signed anything and I’d like some friendly advice.
Thanks everyone for the response.
I’m searching for lawyers as I type this. You guys have me scared!
You better go find an Attorney ASAP or your going to end up getting screwed. There is a very short statute of limitations concerning tort laws you know!
Talk to a Lawyer….
Don’t say anything to employer.
Don’t say anything to co workers.
sign nothing.
make no statements.
There are Lawyers that would be happy to discuss with you.
THEY SHOULD HAVE SENT YOU TO THE DOCTOR ON THE DAY YOU GOT INJURED.Keep records of the day,time and place you were injured and what took place.Make sure they have turned it in to workers comp.insurance.DO NOT LIE ABOUT ANY THING AND DO NOT OWN A GUN OR HAVE ACCESS TO ONE.Once the attorney has your doctor put you on light duty,your right they will work to get rid of you,but you hang tough.If you can recuperate to stay at your line of work through therapy that will be great.If not they will retrain you for another job.Accept no money and do not sign a release of liability from your employer.Do not trust the Doctors as they try to trick you into believing your ok when you are not so you will sign off.Do not lie at any time to them because they will catch you and then you have really had it.Just be ethical and good things will come to those that tell the truth.Make a appointment with a attorney today as they will take your case for free.
Get a lawyer now and let him tell you what to do.
If you were injured on the job, you should be covered by Workman’s Comp.
If you were injured on company property and/or you were performing duties required by your job, you should be covered. But WC has some limits, so get a lawyer NOW.
If you are in the u.s., the only remedy against an employer for an injury on the job is via worker’s compensation. Every state has lawyers paid by the taxpayers to represent injured workers. The company owes you nothing and will not make an offer. Make your workers comp claim.