If you are struggling to obtain workers’ compensation in Kentucky because of challenges proving your injury was work-related, do not wait to get help from a lawyer. An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help you get your claim approved.
With workers’ compensation benefits, you get the financial support you need to move beyond the job-related trauma.
It takes Kentucky Courage to fight for the workplace injury benefits you deserve. You’ve got the courage it takes to stand up for your rights – and so do we. Let us handle the legal matters while you focus on healing.
The Kentucky workers compensation lawyers at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer have office locations near you in Lexington, London, Somerset, Hazard, Manchester, Paducah, and Paintsville. Our knowledgeable team is ready to discuss your legal options as soon as you call us or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
Definition of a Work-Related Injury
Some employers or insurance companies may claim that certain injuries are not job-related in an effort to deny workers’ compensation claims. In these circumstances, employees can encounter a considerably more difficult time obtaining the benefits they deserve.
An injury is considered to be work-related when it arises during and from employment. In other words, on-the-job injuries or workplace injuries. For example, injuries in motor vehicle accidents while on the clock are usually considered compensable. Accidents while commuting to and from work are usually not.
Chapter 342 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes covers workers’ compensation law. Section §342.0011(1) defines injury as “any work-related traumatic event or series of traumatic events, including wear and tear, arising out of and in the course of employment which is the proximate cause producing a harmful change in the human organism evidenced by objective medical findings.”
It does not include the effects of the natural aging process or any communicable disease unless the risk of contracting the disease is increased by the nature of the job.
Physical injuries and occupational illnesses are often compensable under the Kentucky workers’ compensation system, which is designed to provide employees with no-fault medical and income benefits.
Most injuries produce clear signs of harm, but occupational illnesses can be far trickier. You need a skilled attorney when dealing with an injury or illness that is not clearly connected to a single workplace accident or event.
Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer handles a wide range of workers compensation claims, including:
- Back injuries — A worker’s back can be critical to their ability to perform a number of daily functions. Any kind of back injury can easily interfere with a person’s ability to work. Some of the most common types of back injuries include sprains, strains, and soft tissue injuries. Herniated discs and fractured vertebrae are also serious.
- Hearing loss — Hearing loss is most frequently sensorineural, which means damage to inner ear nerves prevent transmission of sound signals to the brain. It can also be conductive, meaning obstructions in the outer or middle ear prevent sound from entering the middle ear. Mixed hearing loss could involve both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.
- Wear and tear injuries — Improper technique or simple overuse can cause muscle, nerve, ligament, or tendon damage known as cumulative trauma injuries. Trigger finger, tendinosis (or less often tendinitis), and carpal tunnel syndrome are three of the most common kinds of wear and tear injuries.
- Degenerative disc/joint disease — Also known as DDD, degenerative disc/joint disease can often be aggravated, exacerbated, worsened, or accelerated from daily job activities.
- Amputation and loss of limbs — Workers can sometimes lose fingers, hands, or arms, in devastating workplace accidents.
- Broken bones and fractures — Many types of accidents at work can cause broken or fractured bones.
- Coal Workers’ Black Lung Disease (CWP) — Kentucky coal miners are often entitled to workers’ compensation for black lung.
- High blood pressure/hypertension — Blood pressure issues can be more challenging for workers’ compensation benefit eligibility. Many workers have valid claims, however, when such conditions are believed to be caused by job-related stress.
- Electrocution — Many electrocution cases end up being fatal. Workers who survive their shock injuries can still be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Surviving family members may receive death benefits.
- Burns— Workers in many fields may be exposed to burn-causing heat sources or chemicals.
- Cumulative trauma — Cumulative trauma disorder, or CTD, involves excessive wear and tear on tendons, muscles, and nerve tissue. It is often work-related because it is caused by continuous use over an extended period of time.
A surviving spouse or other dependents may be entitled to workers’ compensation death benefits when a loved one is tragically killed in a workplace accident or dies from injuries suffered on the job (OTJ). In the case of an OTJ injury, the surviving family members may also be eligible to receive financial assistance through workers’ compensation.
Common Workplace Injuries by Industry in Kentucky
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, private industry employers reported over 38,000 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in Kentucky in one recent year. While many circumstances can lead to on-the-job injuries, certain injuries occur in the same industries year after year.
Workplace injuries can range from minor to serious to life-changing. The attorneys at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer, PLLC represent injured Kentuckians working in a wide range of industries and occupations. Our attorneys work aggressively to help injured Kentucky workers get the benefits they deserve. Keep reading to learn more about the most common workplace injuries in the Bluegrass State. Reach out to us today if you’d like to speak with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney in Kentucky.
Chemical Plant Injuries
Chemical plant workers can suffer injuries or illnesses on the job from exposure to toxic chemicals, explosions, fires, or other dangers. Common chemical plant injuries include:
- Burns ranging from minor first-degree burns to serious third-degree burns
- Lacerations
- Smoke inhalation
- Slips and falls
- Overexertion
- Toxic chemical injuries
- Eye injuries
- Broken bones
Warehouse Injuries
Warehouse workers frequently encounter heavy objects, repetitive actions, and industrial vehicles such as forklifts and commercial trucks. Common warehouse injuries include:
- Crushing injuries
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Overexertion
- Amputations
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Strikes by objects
- Wear and tear injuries
- Soft tissue strains, sprains, or tears
- Back injuries
- Hazardous material injuries
Food Processing Plants
Food processing workers may experience dangerous and fast-paced work conditions, depending on the type of plant. Common food processing plant injuries include:
- Crushing or pinned injuries
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Cumulative trauma injuries
- Soft tissue strains, sprains, or tears
- Slips and falls
- Toxic substance injuries
- Back injuries
- Illnesses caused by exposure to bacteria or viruses
Retail Employee Injuries
Retail workers often spend hours on their feet dealing with cluttered workspaces, irritable customers, and stacks of products. These conditions put them at risk of injuries such as:
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Trauma from falling objects
- Overexertion injuries
- Soft tissue strains, sprains, or tears
- Broken bones
- Wear and tear injuries
- Crush injuries
- Lacerations
- Injuries caused by workplace violence
Grocery Store Injuries
The average grocery store contains 40,000 to 50,000 products, which presents ample opportunities for injuries caused by handling loads at the loading dock, restocking shelves, and falling-object accidents. Common sources of grocery store employee injuries include:
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Crushing injuries
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Illnesses from exposure to bacteria or viruses
- Falling objects
- Soft tissue strains, sprains, or tears
- Overexertion
- Wear and tear injuries
- Back or neck injuries
- Injuries from workplace violence
Teacher Injuries
A recent study in Injury Prevention found that 26 percent of all injuries to school staff were student-related. Certain types of teachers may encounter specific risks. For example, a chemistry teacher may suffer a chemical exposure injury. A gym teacher could be more at risk for a muscle strain or broken bone. The most common injuries suffered by teachers include:
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Wear and tear injuries
- Overexertion
- Soft tissue injuries
- Back injuries
- Injuries related to violence by students, or parents
- Ailments due to toxic exposure from old buildings
- Stress-related illnesses
Factory Injuries
Factory workers face many hazardous conditions due to long hours on their feet, potentially hazardous machinery, and repetitive motion. Specifically, factory workers may suffer the following common injuries:
- Overexertion
- Wear and tear injuries
- Hazardous material exposure
- Strikes from falling or flying objects
- Slips, trips, or falls
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Back injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Amputations
- Hearing loss
Mechanic Injuries
Mechanics work in a hazardous environment every day. They handle dangerous chemicals, power tools, and heavy machinery. Common injuries for mechanics include:
- Burns
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Overexertion
- Wear and tear injuries
- Crush injuries
- Injuries and illnesses from toxic chemical exposure
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Trauma caused by falling or flying objects
- Eye injuries
- Amputated limbs or digits
- Back or neck injuries
First Responder Injuries
When most people are running away from an accident, first responders rush in. These heroes include police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and sometimes military service members. They encounter risks every day with long-term effects. Common first responder injuries include:
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Overexertion
- Back injuries
- Injuries and illnesses from toxic substance exposure
- Lacerations
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Injuries and illnesses from smoke inhalation
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Heat exhaustion or heat stroke
- Frostbite
- Blunt force trauma
- Injuries from violence, including knife and gunshot wounds
- Stress-related illnesses, including post-traumatic stress disorder
Landscaper Injuries
Landscapers work with toxic chemicals, sharp tools, and dangerous mechanical equipment. Common landscaper injuries include:
- Burns
- Illnesses and injuries from toxic chemical exposure
- Lacerations
- Severed or amputated limbs or digits
- Broken bones
- Overexertion
- Heat exhaustion or heat stroke
- Soft tissue injuries
- Back injuries
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Electrocution
Truck Driver Injuries
Truck driving is one of the most dangerous jobs in America. Truck drivers face the constant risk of traffic accidents, as well as injuries and illnesses resulting from a life on the road. Common truck driver injuries include:
- Injuries from blunt force trauma
- Crushing injuries
- Broken bones
- Back and neck injuries
- Lacerations
- Burns
- Wear and tear injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Concussion
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries
Sanitation Workers
Sanitation workers encounter hazardous substances and work at dangerous job sites. They face injuries such as:
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Illnesses and injuries from hazardous substance exposure
- Falling or flying objects
- Overexertion
- Burns
- Lacerations
- Back injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Soft tissues strains, sprains, and tears
Farm Worker Injuries
Farm workers may encounter chemicals, animals, heavy machinery, and extreme weather conditions, all of which are potentially dangerous. Agricultural workers are not covered by Kentucky’s workers’ compensation law. But some employers choose to provide workers’ compensation insurance. Common farm worker injuries include:
- Back injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Heat exhaustion and heat stroke
- Injuries caused by farm machinery and equipment
- Illness and injuries from toxic chemical exposure
- Crushing injuries
- Broken bones
- Illnesses from exposure to bacteria and viruses
- Lacerations
Electrician Injuries
Electricians necessarily work with potentially dangerous components that can lead to:
- Burns
- Electrocution
- Trips and falls
- Nerve damage
- Overexertion
- Wear and tear injuries
Healthcare Workers
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA), hospitals are among the most dangerous workplaces in America. Common injuries suffered by healthcare workers include:
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Back injuries
- Lacerations
- Needle sticks
- Overexertion
- Wear and tear injuries
- Ailments caused by exposure to bacteria, viruses, and infections
- Injuries caused by patient violence
Restaurant Workers
Restaurant workers, including cooks and servers, encounter many risks in the workplace. Common injuries that restaurant workers suffer include:
- Burns
- Lacerations
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Back injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Overexertion
- Injuries caused by workplace violence
Talk to a Kentucky Workers Compensation Attorney Now
Are you seeking workers’ compensation benefits for workplace injuries you suffered in Kentucky? You could face considerable obstacles in getting the maximum benefits that you need and deserve from an uncooperative, cold-hearted insurance company.
Don’t give up! With Kentucky Courage and help from our experienced lawyers, you can take on the insurers and go after the compensation the law says you deserve.
We will work tirelessly to seek the benefits you are entitled to. If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible for benefits or need help filing, contact us today. We have recovered over $157 million in workers’ comp settlements for hard-working Kentuckians just like you.
The workers comp attorneys you meet in our nearby offices in Lexington, Somerset, Manchester, London, North London, Hazard, Paducah, Paintsville, Prestonsburg and Princeton will help you.
Our firm has an entire team with the ability to use our years of experience to help you achieve the most favorable possible outcome for injuries at work. Call us or reach out to us online to schedule a free consultation.
