Plainfield Warehouse Injury Lawyer
Warehouse jobs offer a decent wage, a low barrier to entry, and opportunities to earn overtime. Amazon and other big wholesalers and retailers operate warehouses in the area, offering much-needed local jobs. Unfortunately, warehouse work can be dangerous, and injuries are common.
Workers’ compensation should cover you, but accessing your benefits is not always as simple as it should be. Speak to a Plainfield warehouse injury lawyer at Garces, Grabler, & LeBrocq when you get injured at work. Our personal injury attorneys could help you with any issues getting your workers’ compensation benefits and explore whether you have additional legal options.
Warehouses Are Dangerous Places to Work
Warehouses are places where many employees work side-by-side in the presence of heavy equipment. Although much of the work requiring lifting and reaching is mechanized in modern warehouses, workplace injuries remain a significant risk.
Most warehouse work is repetitive, and boredom can lead to carelessness. Some common employment-related conditions leading to injuries among people who work in warehouses include:
- Slips and falls
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Strikes by falling objects
- Forklift accidents
- Electrical shocks and electrocution
- Exposure to toxic substances
- Fires and explosions
In addition, exposure to contagious illnesses can sometimes result in long-term health impacts for warehouse employees.
The workers’ compensation program provides free healthcare for the treatment of work-related injuries and conditions. All New Jersey employers must offer workers’ compensation benefits to every employee starting on their first day of work, whether their employment is full-time, part-time, temporary, or seasonal. Our Plainfield attorneys can help any injured warehouse worker who is having trouble accessing their benefits.
Accessing Workers’ Compensation Benefits
The process of claiming workers’ compensation benefits begins when the employee reports a work-related injury or illness to their employer. When an employee delays making a report, the employer’s insurance company may question whether the injury or illness is related to work. It is wise to report the condition immediately or as quickly as possible.
Strict time limits apply when a worker suffers a traumatic hernia. New Jersey Statutes Annotated § 34:15-12(c)(23) requires employees who experience a hernia while working to notify their employer within 48 hours, excluding weekends and holidays. Failing to meet this condensed timeline can endanger a worker’s benefits.
In addition to no-cost medical care for the work-related injury or condition, workers’ compensation pays a partial wage until the worker can return to their job. The program also pays permanent partial or temporary disability benefits when an injury does not heal completely. If a dispute arises, a skilled workers’ compensation attorney in Plainfield can help a warehouse worker advocate for their benefits.
Sometimes a Lawsuit Is Possible After a Warehouse Injury
Workers’ compensation law forbids an employee from suing their employer for a work-related injury in most cases. However, if a third party’s negligent conduct was a direct cause of the injury, a worker could sue the third party.
For example, if a defective forklift caused a dropped load that injured a worker, the worker could sue the forklift manufacturer. Similarly, if an independent contractor created a hazardous condition that led to an injury, the injured worker could sue them. An experienced Plainfield attorney could investigate any warehouse accident to determine whether a third party might be liable to an injured worker.
When an injured worker sues a third party for a work-related injury, they can claim the portion of their wages that workers’ compensation does not cover. They can also claim compensation for their physical pain, mental anguish, and changes to their lifestyle caused by the injury.
Contact a Plainfield Attorney After a Workplace Injury at a Warehouse
When you are injured on the job and your employer is a big company like Amazon, standing up for your rights can be intimidating. The attorneys at Garces, Grabler, & LeBrocq have decades of experience advocating for workers at giant corporations and winning.
A Plainfield warehouse injury lawyer at our firm will fight for your benefits and pursue all available avenues for compensation. Contact us today to discuss your rights after a warehouse injury.
