Work Injury Attorney In Hattiesburg
If you were injured on the job, the road to recovery can be overwhelming. A Hattiesburg work injury lawyer can help you understand your rights, protect your income, and seek the compensation you need to put the pieces back together. Work injuries are often more than just medical issues. They can impact your ability to earn a living, provide for your family, and do the work that you know.
Work injuries happen every day in Hattiesburg. They can happen on construction sites and industrial facilities, in warehouses and factories, on farms and in the field, at hospitals and nursing homes, and in office settings.
Repetitive stress injuries can happen to computer workers and professional athletes. Work injury cases are often litigated or tried in or around the Forrest County Courthouse in Hattiesburg.
About WaideLaw
WaideLaw’s practice is based on values learned on a Mississippi farm, including hard work, personal accountability, and keeping your word. Inspired by Isaiah 1:17’s guidance to seek justice and protect those who cannot protect themselves, the law firm fights for individuals and families harmed by negligence.
The firm provides community services through active participation in local events while offering support to youth sports organizations that develop character-building skills and teamwork among young members of the community.
Daniel Waide is also the current executive committee chair for the employment law section of the Mississippi Bar.
Common Types of Work Injuries
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2023, there were 1.5 per 100 cases of full-time workers in the private industry who suffered injury or illness that required days from work, job restriction, or transfer. That same year, there were a total of 5,283 fatal work injuries and 2,569,000 non-fatal work injuries.
Work injuries can happen in almost any profession. The injuries can be the result of one sudden accident or the cumulative result of repetitive movements and long-term exposure to unsafe working conditions.
Some common types of work-related injuries are:
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Nerve damage
- Burns
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Environmental or chemical exposures
Understanding Workplace Injury Laws in Mississippi
Mississippi’s work injury laws are complex. Workers’ compensation is a system of benefits paid by insurance companies for medical care and a percentage of lost wages, even when the employer is at fault. However, it does not pay all of an injured worker’s losses or needs.
An injured worker may also have the right to file a separate personal injury claim against a third party whose negligence contributed to the accident. These claims can recover damages not available through workers’ compensation, such as pain and suffering and full lost wages. The interaction between these two types of claims can be difficult to understand, but it’s important in order to protect your rights.
The Impact of a Serious Work Injury
A serious work injury can have an impact on almost every aspect of a person’s life. Beyond the obvious physical pain and suffering, injured workers often experience financial hardship, fear and anxiety about the future of their job and emotional stress. Missed paychecks, growing medical bills, and insurance company pressure can turn a bad situation into a much worse one.
Work injuries in Hattiesburg affect multiple family members rather than just a single income earner. Spouses may have to pick up additional duties, and long-term injuries can derail a worker’s career path for good. Mississippi courts understand these wider-ranging consequences when a work injury claim is evaluated.
Hire a Work Injury Lawyer
A decision to hire a work injury lawyer may be the first step to leveling the playing field after a workplace accident. Employers and insurance companies often have large teams of adjusters and lawyers working to minimize how much they pay to injured workers. Your legal representation will help make sure that your injury is documented, that deadlines are not missed, and that all available sources of compensation are pursued.
A Hattiesburg work injury lawyer can also handle communications with insurers, gather evidence and records, work with medical professionals, and prepare your case for trial if necessary. This allows an injured worker to focus on healing, rather than being confused by a complicated legal process.
FAQs
Can I See My Own Doctor for a Work Injury?
In most work injury claims, medical care is controlled by the employer or the workers’ compensation insurance company. Injured employees may request a change of doctor under certain circumstances when treatment is lacking or other concerns exist. Selecting a medical provider is a crucial step in the claims process since medical records will largely determine the benefits and long-term results.
What If My Employer Says My Injury Is My Fault?
Workers’ compensation benefits are usually available even when the worker was at fault, unless the injury did not arise out of or in the course of employment. Workers may also try to deny benefits by claiming that the injury occurred outside the course of employment or was due to the violation of a safety rule by the injured employee. Accurate documentation and timely reporting will assist in defending the right of an injured worker to make a claim.
Can I Be Fired for Making a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Retaliation against an employee for filing a workers’ compensation claim is, in general, illegal in Mississippi. Employment situations can be complicated, but the termination or other punishment of an employee simply for pursuing workers’ comp benefits may have legal implications. Documenting all communication and seeking legal advice can assist workers in addressing illegal retaliation.
What Should I Do If My Work Injury Gets Worse Over Time?
Certain work injuries can become worse over time, particularly repetitive stress injuries and conditions that affect the back, neck, or joints. If you experience increased symptoms after the initial injury, you may need to seek further medical treatment. Reporting changes as soon as possible is critical, as these can impact both your eligibility for benefits and the value of a work injury claim.
Contact WaideLaw Today
If you’ve suffered a work injury, an attorney at WaideLaw can help you protect your rights. We understand how serious these injuries can be. Contact us today for a consultation.
