Owensboro Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

If you were injured or suffered an occupational disease at work in Kentucky, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for medical expenses, lost wages, and more. An Owensboro workers’ compensation lawyer from our personal injury law firm can help you navigate the workers’ compensation process to ease your financial burden while you recover. Call us for a free consultation.

What Is Kentucky’s Workers’ Compensation System?

Per the Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Act, Kentucky provides benefits to employees with serious injuries or work-related illnesses with limited earning capacity; it is a no-fault system, meaning injured employees recover compensation or reimbursement no matter who was at fault for the accident. The Kentucky Department of Workers’ Claims (DWC) oversees the state’s workers’ compensation system. It also provides resources for injured workers and their employers.

What Coverage Do Workers’ Compensation Benefits Provide?

By Kentucky state law, workers’ compensation benefits provide medical, rehabilitation, and financial help (wage replacement benefits) for employees whose injuries occurred on the job.

• Medical benefits: necessary medical treatment for work-related injuries
• Income benefits: temporary disability (temporary total disability) provides two-thirds of the average weekly pay if you’re unable to work
• Permanent Disability benefits according to an impairment rating assigned by a physician:
• Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)
• Permanent Total Disability (PTD): depending on whether your injury restricts your ability to perform some work or completely prevents you from doing any work.

• Vocational rehabilitation benefits: to help injured workers return to their job duties
• Death benefits: support to certain family members or dependent loved ones if the worker dies due to a job-related injury

Are Social Security Disability Benefits Available for Injured Workers?

When a worker suffers a permanent disability on the job, they can generally collect both Kentucky workers’ compensation benefits and federal Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Just like for survivors, federal law enforces a strict “Workers’ Compensation Offset” to prevent double-dipping past a specific financial ceiling for benefits for fatally injured workers. Contact an attorney about your specific case.

Why Can Workers’ Compensation Cases Be Denied?

There are several reasons your workers’ compensation claim may be denied, including late reporting, an injury not related to work, missed deadlines, a preexisting condition, or disputes about your employment status.

If your claim has been denied, an Owensboro workers’ compensation attorney can help you with your workers’ comp claim and the appeals process.

Do I Need an Owensboro, KY, Workers’ Comp Attorney?

If you’ve been seriously injured at work, our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys will protect your rights. We work to ensure your medical bills are covered and payments continue without interruption. When disputes with insurance companies arise, our Owensboro lawyers will handle the workers’ compensation claims process while you focus on recovering and getting your life back on track.

What Is a Third-Party Lawsuit in a Workers’ Compensation Case?

Sometimes, the negligent third party—someone other than your employer or a coworker—might be responsible for your workplace injury. When this happens, a third-party lawsuit can help you seek damages for pain and suffering (which are not typically covered by workers’ compensation). To succeed, you must prove the other party was negligent. A civil wrongful death claim may be appropriate if a third party caused the fatality.

For instance, you might qualify for a personal injury claim if you were injured in a motor vehicle accident by a negligent driver while on the job. An attorney can file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf.

Most Common Workplace Injuries

Workers can experience common injuries like repetitive strain injuries. Serious conditions can also occur, including back injuries, shoulder injuries, neck injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and traumatic brain injuries.

What to Do After a Workplace Accident in Owensboro, Kentucky

If you suffered a work injury in Western Kentucky or across the state, follow these steps:

1. Notify your employer as soon as possible. They will notify their workers’ compensation insurance carrier.
2. Seek medical care immediately. Keep all medical records and receipts for medical costs.
3. Document everything with photos of the scene and your injuries. Gather witness information.
4. Consider a third-party claim for additional damages if someone else’s negligence (other than your employer) caused the accident.
5. Hire a workers’ compensation lawyer in Owensboro who can fight for the benefits you deserve.

Contact Our Experienced Owensboro Attorneys Today

If you suffered injuries in a work-related accident or have a denied claim, call us. Our professional legal team knows Kentucky workers’ compensation law and can provide legal assistance for your specific case.

Our Law Firm Offers Free Case Evaluations

Call our law office for a free consultation today. We’ll outline the legal process, discuss your options to recover maximum benefits, and address your concerns. Our team works on a contingency fee basis, so our clients don’t pay unless we win their cases.