Work-related injuries are a serious problem. There are real risks when you are on the job, and just one accident can leave you unable to work and with thousands of dollars worth of medical expenses. In most cases, injured workers are covered by workers' compensation insurance that the employer maintains to protect themselves and their workers in the event of job-related accidents. Workers' compensation offers medical benefits and covers a percentage of the injured worker's lost wages while they are unable to work. What is an Excavator? An excavator is a piece of heavy equipment used in the construction and excavation industry. In order to use an excavator, the worker must have undergone the proper training and be familiar with the machine. Excavators are a kind of heavy construction equipment that has a cab, bucket, dipper, and a boom on a rotating platform. Called diggers or mechanical shovels, excavators will dig foundations, trenches and ditches. They are also used for river dredging and mining operations as well as for forestry work. Because of the design of the machine and the nature of the work they are used for, they can lead to serious injuries to the operator and to other workers who are working near the machine when it is in operation. Injuries Sustained from Operating an Excavator As a piece of heavy duty equipment, excavators are dangerous pieces of machinery. They can overturn, the bucket can break or malfunction dumping the load, or trees, rocks or other items can be knocked over on the machine. Serious injuries or even death can result from the risks that lurk on the job site. Those who are near an excavator can be crushed by falling piles of dirt or other materials. Here are a few of the injuries that can result from an excavator accident: Crushed bones Broken bones Paralysis Traumatic brain injury Spinal injury Neck injury Back injury Internal injuries Death Any of these injuries can lead to lengthy hospital stays and require months off work. You might not be able to return to the same job, so you might have to retrain for a different kind of work. Workers' compensation sometimes covers the cost of vocational retraining when it is because of a work-related injury. Consult With a Workers' Compensation Attorney If an on-the-job injury has left you with injuries, you should consult with a workers' compensation attorney. Your attorney can thoroughly assess the situation then file a claim to help you recover the benefits that you are entitled to receive. A workers' compensation attorney can appeal a denial of benefits and help you either get benefits started or reinstated. Workers' comp benefits can help an injured worker significantly by taking care of the medical expenses and by paying two-thirds of the regular salary while the injured worker is recovering. Schedule your free case evaluation with an experienced workers' comp attorney today so you can get your claim on the right track.
