Injured at Work?
Speak with Our Mobile Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Workplace accidents are frequent in Alabama. Each year, hundreds of people are badly injured, and some might even die in accidents or from occupational illnesses. Alabama protects workers by requiring most employers to purchase workers’ compensation coverage.

If you were hurt at work, contact a workers’ compensation attorney in Mobile, Alabama today. Roger Varner Injury Law is committed to helping injured workers navigate the claims process, including whether to bring a lawsuit for the accident.

Who Must Purchase Workers’ Compensation Coverage?

Any employer in Alabama must buy coverage if they have at least 5 full-time or part-time employees. Other employers have the option of buying coverage.

What Injuries Are Covered?

You can make a claim for benefits if you are injured while working. This could be an injury as a result of an explosion, fire, or fall. Or it could be an occupational illness, such as lung disease caused by inhaling particulate matter over many months.

The only requirements are that you are injured while doing a work-related task and that you notify your employer in a timely manner.

Our law firm has helped people injured in:

  • Fires
  • Falls
  • Explosions
  • Collapsing buildings
  • Toxic exposure
  • Repetitive stress injuries
  • Motor vehicle accidents

To learn more, speak with our Mobile workers’ compensation attorney to review your case.

Can I Receive Benefits if I Was Negligent?

Yes. Alabama Code 25-5-51 states that benefits are paid without consideration of negligence. This means you could have contributed to your injuries out of your own carelessness and you still qualify.

However, the law prohibits a worker from receiving compensation if:

  • Your injuries resulted from your own misconduct
  • You intentionally caused your own injuries
  • You willfully failed or refused to use safety equipment provided by your employer
  • You suffered an injury due to impairment by drugs or intoxication
  • You refused to submit to a blood or urine test

Can You Receive Benefits if Injured Away from Work?

Yes—if you were working at the time. For example, some people need to visit clients or travel to attend conferences. If you are injured while traveling to or from these events, you are covered by workers’ comp. Some people are still working even if they aren’t at the office or plant.

What Benefits Can I Receive?

Workers’ compensation makes a variety of benefits available to workers, such as:

  • Medical benefits. You should receive all reasonable and necessary medical care to treat your workplace injury or illness. This can include surgery, doctor visits, specialist visits, diagnostic tests, and prescription drugs.
  • Wage loss benefits. If you can’t go back to work due to your injuries, you can receive indemnity benefits. Most people receive two-thirds of their average weekly wage. So if you earned $450 per week, you can typically get $300 to replace lost wages.
  • Death benefits. If a worker unfortunately died, their dependents can usually receive a death benefit. The amount is typically 50-67% of the workers’ average weekly wage and can be paid for a maximum of 500 weeks.

Can I Sue My Employer for My Workplace Injury?

No. This is one of the limitations in the workers’ compensation system. You generally can’t sue an employer who has workers’ compensation insurance.

However, you might be able to sue another party, like a vendor or customer. If defective equipment hurt you, then you could possibly sue the manufacturer for defects. You can seek full compensation for your losses in this type of lawsuit, including pain and suffering.

At Roger Varner Injury Law, we always closely analyze whether you can bring a possible lawsuit against someone. This will potentially increase the compensation you take home.

Do I Need an Attorney?

We can help anyone injured on the job. In particular, we can help bring an appeal if you are denied benefits.

Many benefits are denied because:

  • You weren’t injured on the job
  • Your injury was pre-existing
  • You didn’t notify your employer in time
  • You intentionally injured yourself

We can contest the grounds for denial and build a case to show why you deserve benefits.

Contact Our Mobile, Alabama Workers’ Compensation Lawyer to Review

The days following a workplace accident are stressful. Many people stay up all night worried whether they can provide for their families. Let our legal team help. At Roger Varner Injury Law, we can jump in and handle your claim. If possible, we might bring a lawsuit against an at-fault party and protect your right to maximum compensation available under the law. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.