Common Conditions of Workers’ Compensation in Montgomery County
As a worker in Montgomery County, you likely enjoy the protection of coverage under the state workers’ compensation system. If you suffer an injury or contract an occupational disease within the scope of your employment, you might be entitled to recover monetary benefits.
These financial benefits could be available for many common conditions of workers’ compensation in Montgomery County. These conditions could range from short-term injuries to permanent medical conditions and all points in between.
If you believe you deserve benefits through a workers’ compensation claim, do not hesitate to discuss your options with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. With the guidance of a practiced lawyer, you could see your claim for benefits accepted.
Workplace Injuries
Injuries that occur at the workplace frequently qualify for benefits under the workers’ compensation system. However, not every injury automatically leads to a successful claim. Claim-ready injuries do not have to occur at the workplace necessarily, but they must occur in the course of employment. For example, a truck driver miles away from the home office might be able to recover if they were making a work-related trip at the time of his or her injury.
The injuries that commonly lead to a successful claim for benefits vary. While injuries related to slip and fall accidents are a common cause of a claim, there are countless other ways a worker could be hurt on the job. Common examples of workplace injuries include:
- Crushing injuries
- Severed limbs
- Brain, neck, and back injuries
- Shoulder damage
- Broken bones
- Burns
Occupational Illnesses
While workplace injuries are traumatic, they are not the only potential basis for a workers’ compensation claim. An employee also has the right to seek benefits for any occupational illness developed due to workplace conditions.
Occupational illnesses are often more challenging to identify than an injury. While there is no question when an injury occurs in most cases, many illnesses slowly grow over time. Proving an illness results from a workplace condition is one of the most challenging aspects of a workers’ compensation attorney’s job.
These illnesses occur due to a variety of factors. In some cases, repetitive stress injuries occur due to the worker repeating the same physical task over and over. However, other cases could involve a worker made sick by a hazardous chemical. Examples of occupational illnesses include:
- Cancer
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Psittacosis
- Undulant fever
- Blisters
- Ulcers
Aggravating a Pre-Existing Condition
Some of the most contested claims in the workers’ compensation system involve pre-existing conditions. While a worker may not seek benefits for an injury or illnesses that precede their time at work, they may receive compensation if a workplace accident aggravates that condition.
However, insurance companies are quick to dispute these claims. They will typically rely on a worker’s medical records to argue that the injury was entirely pre-existing. An experienced Montgomery County workers’ compensation attorney could help afflicted employees demonstrate they aggravated their pre-existing condition.
Discussing the Common Conditions of Workers’ Compensation in Montgomery County
If you are ready to pursue a claim for workers’ compensation benefits, it is important to meet with a prospective attorney right away. During your meeting, you could discuss the common conditions of workers’ compensation in Montgomery County and get the answers to any question you have.
The process of obtaining benefits when you have a pre-existing condition could seem daunting. However, a skilled Montgomery County workers’ compensation lawyer could help you obtain the benefits you deserve.