Indianapolis Work Injury Lawyer
Dealing with an on-the-job injury is no easy task. When you need help handling the repercussions, consult with a competent Indianapolis workplace injury lawyer who can advocate for your right to workers compensation and full recovery of your damages.
The effects of a workplace injury can wreak havoc on your life. The recovery alone can be a difficult one. But when you also have concerns about no longer being able to support your lifestyle and your family, the situation can be made all the more challenging.
That’s why Kooi Law is passionate about helping clients obtain the workers compensation benefits they’re entitled to and file a personal injury lawsuit when necessary. With an Indianapolis work injury lawyer on your side, dealing with the trauma of being harmed at work doesn’t have to take over your life.
All About Workers Compensation in Indianapolis
In Indiana, every employer (except those granted an exception to the rule) is required to carry coverage insurance to provide injured workers with workers comp benefits. This protection will allow employees who have been injured on the job the peace of mind of knowing they will still have a source of income while they focus on their recovery.
To be eligible for workers compensation, the only requirement is that you were actively employed with your company at the time of your injury and that your injury occurred while you were performing the duties of your position. You don’t need to have been with your company for a specific period of time or work a certain number of hours; from the minute you start working, you’re covered.
Workers comp is meant to cover your medical expenses and replace your income, with most recipients collecting around two-thirds of their pre-injury weekly salary. The amount will be based on how severe and impactful your injury is. These benefits can be used at your discretion, although most claimants use their benefits for household expenses like the mortgage, utilities, and groceries.
If your claim for benefits has been denied, that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road for your benefits. A work injury lawyer in Indianapolis can answer any objections the insurance adjuster has or simply provide additional supporting documentation that demonstrates your need for benefits. If this fails, we can always file an appeal with the Worker’s Compensation Board of Indiana.
When It’s Appropriate to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Sometimes, workers compensation benefits aren’t enough to cover your medical expenses and the damages you’ve suffered. This is when filing a personal injury claim might be in your best interest.
To proceed with a personal injury suit, we must be able to establish that the accident you were involved in and your resulting injuries were directly caused by the negligent actions of someone other than your employer. Alternatively, if we can prove your employer illegally failed to purchase work comp insurance or knowingly put you in harm’s way, we might be able to sue outside of the work comp system.
Once we’ve established that you’re eligible to file a personal injury claim for your Indianapolis workplace injury, we can begin to calculate an approximate value of your losses. Suing outside the work comp system means we can pursue compensation for non-economic damages (those that don’t have a direct monetary value). We may be able to pursue compensation for the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Lost wages
- Damage to future earning potential
- Your medical expenses in their entirety
- Loss of companionship and love
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Many other damages might be considered, depending on what type of accident you were involved in and how critical your injuries are. In the event that the judge determines that the behavior of the defendant was particularly egregious or intended to cause harm, you could be awarded a sum of punitive damages, which is meant to punish the defendant.
Speak with an Indianapolis Work Injury Attorney
The consequences of an injury that occurred on the job can ruin your life in many ways. Without an income, not only will you be forced to figure out how to support yourself and your family on a day-to-day basis, but you’ll also have steadily rising expenses that stem from your injuries, which could put you in a tremendous amount of debt that could be nearly impossible to pull yourself out of.
If this sounds like the nightmare you’re facing, contact an experienced Indianapolis work injury lawyer at Kooi Law today. We will work hard to ensure that the only thing you’ll need to worry about is healing from your wounds. Schedule your free claim assessment today by giving our office a call at (317) 569-1335 or filling out the quick contact form at the bottom of this page.