If you’ve been injured at work, you may be wondering how much money you can get. This is a difficult question to answer, as the amount of compensation you receive will depend on a variety of factors. This article will take a look at some of the most important factors that will determine how much money you can get after a work injury.
Where Do You Work?
Your workplace should be the first indicator of how much you’ll be owed once a settlement is reached. Agricultural workers who suffered farm accidents usually get a good settlement because of the dangerous work they do. The place of employment is a huge deciding factor in how much money you’ll get from your work injury claim.
If you worked at a place that was particularly dangerous, then you have a stronger case for receiving more money. For example, if you were injured while working at a construction site or as an oil rig worker, then you’ll likely get more money than if you were employed at an office.
How Did It Happen?
Workplace accidents happen in various ways so it’s important to consider how your accident happened as a factor that weighs in for the amount of money you may receive. For example, if you were injured due to a defective product at work, you may be able to file a third-party liability claim against the manufacturer of the defective product in addition to filing a workers’ compensation claim against your employer.
If your employer was aware of the defective product and did not take measures to fix the issue or remove the product from the workplace, they may be held liable for negligence. In this case, you would likely be able to recover more money than if your accident was simply due to carelessness on behalf of your employer.
Workplace accidents can also happen due to slips and falls, car accidents, or exposure to hazardous materials, among other things. The cause of your accident will play a role in determining how much money you may be able to recover.
What Caused The Accident?
It’s also essential to note that many things can cause an accident at a workplace. These are the following:
- Work peers
- Your boss
- Engineering errors
- Poorly designed products
- Irregular safety equipment
- Unsafe work conditions
- Environmental factors
- Fatigue
- Stress
These are only a few examples, but they give you an idea of what to look for in your case. Also, many times it’s not just one thing that caused the accident. It could be a combination of different factors.
Who Is Liable?
The amount you’ll receive will also depend on liability. If your employer is at fault, you’ll likely get more than if you’re found to be at fault. For example, if a machine malfunctions and you’re injured, your employer will probably have to pay more than if you were injured because you weren’t wearing safety gear.
There are a few different ways that liability can be determined after a work injury. The first is by looking at state laws. Every state has different regulations when it comes to liability in the workplace. Your attorney will be able to tell you what the laws are in your state.
The second-way liability can be determined is through workers’ compensation insurance. This is insurance that every employer is required to have in order to protect employees who are injured on the job. The amount of money you’ll receive from workers’ compensation will depend on your state’s laws and the specifics of your policy.
How Much Do You Make?
Your salary is another factor that weighs in on the amount of money you can get after a work injury. If you make a high salary, you’re more likely to be able to get more money for your lost wages. In general, the higher your salary, the more money you can get for your injuries.
For example, if you make $50,000 a year and you’re out of work for six months, you can get up to $25,000 in lost wages. But if you make $100,000 a year, you could get up to $50,000.
What Industry Are You In?
Different industries offer different coverage for their employees. For example, construction workers are more likely to be injured on the job than office workers. As a result, they may be eligible for more compensation than someone working in an office.
Your industry will play a role in how much money you can get after a work injury. If you’re in a high-risk industry, you may be able to get more compensation than someone in a low-risk industry.
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How Severe Is The Injury?
Some workplace injuries are way more severe than others. For example, if you’re able to go back to work the next day with some pain medication, your case is going to be worth a lot less than if you’re permanently disabled and can never work again.
The severity of the injury is one key factor that will affect how much money you can get after a workplace injury. If they are more severe, then you may be eligible for more compensation. This includes damages for things like lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering.
If you’re out of work for a long time, you may also be able to get Social Security disability benefits. These are separate from workers’ compensation, but if you qualify, you could receive them in addition to your workers’ comp payments.
Do You Have A Lawyer?
A good personal injury lawyer can argue your case and get you a larger settlement than you could have on your own. This is especially true if the accident was not your fault, or if you sustained serious injuries.
When looking for a lawyer, choose one with experience handling workers’ compensation cases. They will know the ins and outs of the system and how to get you the most money possible.
You can find a lawyer through a referral from a friend or family member, or by searching online.
Workers’ compensation is something every injured employee is entitled to, but there are factors that weigh in on this. Your place of work, as well as the details on how it happened, what caused it, and who is liable are also something that will be included in the report. If you have a higher salary, you’ll probably get more, and that also goes for the amount of risk the industry your work in has. Another factor is the severity of your injury, and a lawyer can argue your case and make the most out of it!
