Every year, employees file workers’ compensation claims to recover damages for lost wages, medical expenses, psychological distress, and rehabilitation care. According to the National Safety Council, the average claim filed between 2016 and 2017 for vehicular crashes averaged $78,293. On the other hand, slip and fall accidents and bodily burns averaged $46,592 and $47,878 per claim, respectively.
These numbers may not include the amount of money spent on traveling to medical appointments, which is often overlooked. If you would like the costs of your travel for rehabilitation to be included in your workers’ compensation claim, you may want to hire a New Orleans travel rehabilitation lawyer to help you recover those damages. Call Morris Bart at (504) 613-4771 to speak with a member of our team about your legal options.
Workplace Injuries That May Need Rehabilitation Later On
Even with the appropriate safety measures, you can still sustain minor to severe injuries at your workplace. According to the small business information portal ByteStart, the following are the most common workplace accidents:
- Slip and fall accidents: In many cases, the primary cause of slips, trips, and falls at the workplace is negligence. Poor maintenance practices like failing to put up a wet floor sign during cleaning, having poorly lit rooms and corridors, not repairing uneven stairs, or using unsecured equipment can lead to severe injuries. These injuries include fractured bones, shoulder dislocations, muscle strains, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and spine and nerve damage.
- Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI): Job tasks that require the joints to move in repetitive motions might cause damage to the muscles, tendons, and nerves. RSIs can be caused by activities that involve grasping tools, working on an assembly line, typing, working at a supermarket checkout, using a mouse, and sports training. Common RSIs include carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, rotator cuff tendonitis, and tennis elbow. RSIs may affect the wrists and hands, forearms and elbows, and the neck and shoulders. They are characterized by throbbing pain, weakness, tingling, numbness, and tenderness.
- Muscle strain: An overstretched or torn muscle due to fatigue, overuse, or improper use can result in muscle strain. Muscle strains may occur in the hamstrings, lower back, and shoulders. Even with experience, proper lifting techniques, and protective equipment, you may not be immune to muscle strains if you lift heavy objects in the workplace. A few symptoms include bruising, discoloration, knotted-up sensations in the affected areas, stiffness, sudden pain, swelling, soreness, and weakness.
- Crashes and vehicular accidents: Employees involved in motor vehicle accidents at work often suffer debilitating injuries and sometimes death. In many cases, crashes and collisions occur due to neglecting to perform routine maintenance, overworking drivers, and hiring unqualified personnel.
How to Protect Yourself From Injury at Work
Irrespective of your industry and job responsibilities, you can benefit a great deal by implementing the following safety measures:
- Observe your environment. Report any unsafe conditions to management. Ensure that your working environment and machinery that does not threaten your health and safety.
- Know the risks. If your job involves dangerous elements, take the appropriate steps to protect yourself. Insist on protective gear and learn more about the machinery and hazardous chemicals you use.
- Obey the posted signs. Do not ignore warning signs, and follow the instructions to protect yourself and your coworkers.
- Dress appropriately. If you work in a factory, ensure that you wear the issued protective garment at all times.
If you or a loved one sustained an injury at your workplace and are now required to travel to routine medical appointments as part of your recovery, you may be interested in requesting the services of a New Orleans travel rehabilitation lawyer from Morris Bart. Call us at (504) 613-4771 to speak with one of our team members today and see how travel to rehabilitation may be added to your workers’ compensation claim.
For a free legal consultation with a Travel Rehabilitation lawyer serving New Orleans, call 800-537-8185
How a New Orleans Travel Rehabilitation Lawyer Can Help
It costs a lot of money to travel to and from medical appointments. If you are a workplace injury victim and require extensive rehabilitative treatment, you might be entitled to compensation. If you hire a travel rehabilitation lawyer, they may be able to help you receive reimbursement for your travel as part of your monetary compensation. They might also assess your medical appointments and how frequently you go to appointments to calculate:
- Any legitimate costs you incurred while traveling for medical attention
- Mileage and gas
- Other applicable travel expenses
To help your lawyer recover damages, you can document the following:
- Your medical appointments
- The date and reason for each visit
- The location of the clinic
- Mileage
Speak to Someone from Morris Bart Injury and Accident Lawyers Today
If you sustained a workplace injury and are dealing with mounting travel expenses from going to medical appointments, you may want to inquire about the service our New Orleans travel rehabilitation lawyers can provide. Our personal injury law firm in Louisiana understands the strain these expenses can have on our clients’ finances. As such, we are ready to offer legal assistance to help you get the compensation you need. To discuss your case with a member of our team at the Morris Bart law firm, call us at (504) 613-4771 and receive your free consultation today.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
