Construction is a dangerous industry. While workers in all industries suffer injuries, those in construction are much more likely to be hurt on the job. Construction involves risky tasks and involves a lot of dangerous equipment. If you have been hurt using a roadheader on the job, you should be eligible for workers' compensation benefits. Workers' compensation insurance is maintained by most employers to protect their employees in the event of an on-the-job injury or illness. Because of the complexity of workers' comp claims, you should consult with a workers' comp attorney before filing a claim. What is a Roadheader? Several different kinds of machines and different kinds of equipment are used in the construction industry, including the roadheader. The roadheader is an excavator that features a boom-mounted cutting head and a conveyor. The machine has a travelling track that moves the entire machine forward into the rock face. The machine has a cutting head that is sometimes a general purpose rotating drum that is mounted in line or that is perpendicular to the boom. In some cases, the cutting head can be a special design and special function, such as jack-hammer designed spikes or micro-wheel heads such as those used on tunnel boring machines. Some of them are equipped with a gigantic saw-like head for cutting rocks up into smaller pieces. The kind of head that is used on the machine is dependent upon how it is going to be used and where it will be used. Injuries Suffered From Using a Roadheader There are various injuries that can be suffered from operating a roadheader or working near one. The cutting head can cause rock or other materials to fall back onto the machine and the people who are nearby. The cutting tool can also lead to serious cuts and even amputations. These are injuries that can lead to permanent disfigurement and scarring and even cause lifelong disabilities. Here are a few of the injuries that might result from a roadheader: Crushed bones Internal injuries Amputations Lacerations Vision loss Hearing loss Traumatic brain injury Paralysis Spinal injuries Neck injuries Back injuries Death Any of these injuries can be very serious and lead to extensive hospital stays and require multiple surgical procedures to help improve the level of recovery. The medical expenses can add up quickly and oftentimes, run into the tens of thousands of dollars. The inability to work can put your entire family in a stressful financial situation, so workers' comp benefits can help significantly. Consult With a Workers' Compensation Attorney If you have suffered a work-related injury, you should consult with a workers' compensation attorney so you can file a claim for workers' compensation benefits. Your attorney will aggressively pursue the benefits that you are entitled to receive for your injury. If your claim is denied, your attorney will file an appeal to get your benefits started. If your benefits are stopped prematurely, your lawyer will work to get benefits reinstated. You don't have to spend any cash upfront to retain a lawyer, so schedule your free initial case evaluation today.
