Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

You expect to be in a safe environment when you work in construction, the restaurant industry, or anywhere else. Nevertheless, severe injuries can take place on the job, and this can cause a tremendous amount of stress.

Contact a Kentucky workers’ comp law firm today if you have suffered an injury in the workplace. You may be able to receive financial compensation under Kentucky’s workers’ compensation laws. At Gerling Law, our lawyers have the experience you need to help you file your claim.

What Is Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ compensation laws provide protection for employees who suffer an injury or become ill on the job. As an employee, you can benefit from workers’ compensation even if you are at fault. There are some exceptions to this that vary state by state. A Kentucky workers’ comp lawyer can help you file a workers’ comp claim so that you can receive assistance.

Workers’ Comp Benefits in Kentucky

In Kentucky, there are multiple benefits available to employees under workers’ compensation laws. If you have any questions, consider reaching out to a knowledgeable Kentucky workers’ compensation lawyer for further information.

Temporary Total Disability (TTD)

For temporary total disability benefits, you will have to be unable to return to your job for over seven days. If this has been the case for you, you might qualify for compensation. 

Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)

This type of disability means that you have shown the maximum medical improvement (MMI) possible, according to your doctor. MMI means you have recovered as much as your doctor expects you too. Many workers, having reached MMI, still have some level of impairment that prevents them from doing the same job they once did but does not keep them from working altogether. If this is the case, you can recover a portion of your lost wages through PPD benefits.

Permanent Total Disability (PTD)

A permanent total disability means you have a lasting impairment that renders you unable to work. This does not just refer to your previous job. To qualify for PTD, you must be unable to perform any kind of job due to your disability.

Medical Benefits

You can recover assistance for medical expenses under workers’ compensation in Kentucky as well. If you suffer an injury or illness related to your job, you do not need to use your own health insurance to pay for medical expenses. Instead, these expenses should be covered by workers’ compensation insurance.

Determining precisely what compensation you can recover under workers’ compensation laws may be challenging. A Kentucky workers’ compensation attorney at our law firm can assist you in examining your eligibility for benefits.

Typical Workers’ Comp Injuries

There are several injuries that might occur on the job. If you have suffered one of the below injuries, contact Gerling Law today. A Kentucky workers’ compensation lawyer at our firm can help you to file a workers’ comp claim while you focus on your recovery. 

Sprains

One of the most common types of workers’ compensation ailments is a sprain. Sprains can often occur due to lifting things that are too heavy or lifting incorrectly. Sprains can happen in retail work, construction work, and in plenty of other industries. One example of this may be suffering a sprain as a retail worker due to the repetitive restocking of items. 

Strains

These are frequent workers’ compensation injuries. Repetitive movements throughout the day, uncomfortable postures, or lifting can cause strains. You ought to separate loads into smaller parts, or if not, you should lift with additional workers or use equipment. An example of a strain that could occur might be a back strain from carrying boxes manually in a warehouse.

Punctures

Construction workers and those in the butchering industry are at a high risk of suffering this type of affliction. Employers must train employees to use equipment that might cause a puncture, such as a grinder or a slicer. If you have suffered harm due to a sharp object such as nails or a knife, you might be able to file a claim.

Lacerations

Lacerations are similar to cuts, but they are much more severe. Machine blades, conveyor belts, motors, or other equipment can cause tears. A laceration can also take place because an employee was improperly trained or safety guidelines were not in place. Finally, they can also occur if there is a missing guard or an incorrectly fitted or loose guard on equipment.

Contusions

These are bruises to the body that can range in their level of severity. Typically the cause of a contusion is damage to blood vessels in the skin due to hitting a hard surface or due to a fall. This can happen if an object falls or if you bump into equipment.

Time Limitation on Your Claim

You should first let your employer know that you were hurt in the workplace by the notification deadline. This differs by state. In Kentucky, you must notify your employer as soon as possible after the accident takes place.

Afterward, you must file your claim by the deadline, or statute of limitations, for workers’ compensation claims in Kentucky. Under Kentucky law, the statute of limitations is two years. This means that you have two years from the date your accident took place to file your claim. If you fail to do so, recovering for your injuries may be challenging.

If you need assistance filing your claim or have questions, you should reach out to a Kentucky workers’ compensation attorney.

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