If you have been injured at work or became sick because of your job in Louisville, you should be able to recover compensation that can pay for medical expenses and much of any lost earnings. There are some employers who do not need to have workers’ compensation insurance, though. If you are not protected by your employer’s insurance cover, you may have to file a personal injury claim. Whatever the circumstances, discuss the accident first with a workers’ compensation lawyer. Choosing a Workers’ Comp. Lawyer in Louisville There are around 100 lawyers in Louisville who are able to help you with a workers’ compensation claim. If you are considering making a claim, you should select a licensed Louisville lawyer to help you. If you are in a position where you are unable to make a workers’ comp. claim, or have to appeal a claim because it has been denied by your employer’s insurer, you will find the legal advice from an experienced lawyer invaluable. Work Places Most at Risk in Louisville You could be injured while at work in seemingly the safest of workplaces. All it takes is a faulty electrical appliance or to slip, trip and fall on a loose patch of carpet or a slippery floor. There are many different occupations, of course, in Louisville. Each occupation has a different degree of workplace injury risk. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics*, which keeps records of workplace injuries and days lost from work, the occupations most at risk are those related to transportation and transit, with nursing home work also quite high in the statistics. Transportation injuries may include accidents while driving a truck, exposure to toxic chemicals while a truck is being loaded or unloaded or when heavy loads are lifted with inadequate lifting gear. Many injuries in this type of job involve back strain. How the Workers’ Compensation Procedure Works in Kentucky Most workers in Kentucky are protected by the state’s workers’ compensation laws which make it mandatory for employers to carry insurance in case of work related injury or illness. There are strict time limits imposed on the various stages of the workers’ comp. process, so it is important to keep these in mind. The accident must first be reported to your employer or supervisor as soon as you can, followed by a detailed accident report. A workers’ comp. claim should be filed once you have received medical examination and treatment by an approved doctor or hospital. All claims are submitted to the state’s Department of Workers’ Claims within 2 years of the injury. The insurer must respond within 60 days and then start payments if the claim is approved. Unfortunately, there are often snags with the process. Some claims are denied, which may mean you have to start the appeals procedure. Also, there is a minority of workers who are not officially covered by workers’ comp. If you are one of these workers and have suffered a workplace injury or illness which you believe was caused by your employer’s negligence, it may be possible to file a personal injury lawsuit rather than a workers’ comp. claim. The personal injury petition should be filed at the Jefferson County Circuit Court, located in Jefferson St, Louisville. The court hours are 8.30 a.m.to 4.30 p.m. every weekday except public holidays. Use our Free Claim Evaluation to Find a Suitable Louisville Based Lawyer Bearing in mind the pressure on you to submit reports and claim forms within quite limited time periods, it is advisable to have help from an experienced workers’ compensation or personal injury lawyer. But who do you choose when there are over 100 of them in the city of Louisville? One good way to make sure you select a suitable lawyer is to complete our free claim evaluation form, which can be found on this page. Additional Resources Workers' Compensation Attorney in Kentucky Workers' Compensation in Kentucky *Source: bls.gov/iif/oshstate.htm#KY
