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    kentucky workers compensation lawyerEmployers in Kentucky are required by law to provide workers compensation insurance.

    If you are injured on the job, Kentucky Workers Compensation benefits provides workers with compensation for medical cost, income benefits, temporary disability or permanent disability.

    Physical injuries or diseases contracted while working may qualify for Kentucky Workers Compensation benefits. These injuries can occur while on the clock, during lunch breaks, and even work sponsored activities.

    If you contract a disease due to work requirements, such as contact with chemicals or toxins, you may also qualify for Kentucky Workers Compensation benefits.

    The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated that Kentucky’s private industry employers reported 40,600 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2016. In 2019, there were 83 fatal workplace injuries in Kentucky.

    When an employee is placed in harm’s way due to job duties or an employer’s negligence, the help of an experienced Kentucky work accident lawyer is needed to recover the compensation that the victim is entitled to. Kentucky work accidents can cause catastrophic injuries, impacting the physical and financial wellbeing of the affected worker and their family.

    Discuss your legal options with a highly qualified Kentucky work accident lawyer at the Law Firm of Flora Templeton Stuart today. We represent clients who were hurt at work or while operating a vehicle while working.

    Call us at (888) 782-9090 or reach us online through our free case evaluation form. We have offices in Bowling Green, Glasgow, Greenville, Kentucky, but we travel throughout Kentucky to meet with our injured clients.

    Why Select Our Local Kentucky Work Accident Lawyers

    • Our Kentucky Workers Compensation Attorneys have 42 years of experience, fighting for justice for workers in Kentucky injured in work accidents.
    • Consultations are free and can be done when and wherever is most convenient for you. Our Kentucky Workers Compensation Attorneys visit clients in their homes, their offices, hospitals and in our offices located in Bowling Green, Glasgow, Greenville and Russellville, Kentucky.
    • Our Kentucky lawyers have collected millions for clients injured at work and in car and semi-truck accidents.
    • We are local. We care.

    Common Causes of Work Accidents

    Many Kentucky work accidents occur in the fields of construction, manufacturing, transportation, and agriculture and natural resources extraction. Common causes of work accidents include:

    • Employees operating a car or truck of their employer in an auto accident
    • Failure of the employer to follow OSHA safety protocols
    • Lack of proper safety equipment
    • Falling objects or debris
    • Hiring unqualified workers
    • Plant explosions
    • Electrocution
    • Inadequate worker training
    • Defective equipment
    • Failure to conduct inspections or maintenance
    • Exposure to toxic chemicals
    • Slip and falls
    • Automobile accidents

    Industrial workers who run the highest risk of suffering a job-related injury are the ones who work on job sites which have poor safety policies in place or injured in a car or truck accident while at work.

    Types of Work Accident Injuries

    Injuries from work accidents in Kentucky can include:

    The gravity of these possible injuries can widely vary, in addition to the required treatment, and length of recovery. Most injured industrial workers will miss work. In the most severe cases, employees face permanently disabling injuries, rendering them incapable of returning to work.

    How To Get Compensation After a Kentucky Work Accident

    In the state of Kentucky, medical bills and loss income are offered to employees through workers’ compensation after an injury accident. This means that regardless of who was at fault, the employee can receive benefits. However, benefits can be limited depending on how the accident occurred, which is why exploring all of your options for compensation with a Kentucky lawyer experienced in work accident cases can be beneficial.

    Although employees are typically unable to sue their employers for job-related injuries, an unrelated third party could be partially or fully responsible, and you may be able to file a personal injury claim. Third-party liability can come into play if, for example, an injury was caused by a vehicle accident. Our Kentucky Workers Compensation Attorneys represent employees injured while at work in a car or truck accident due to the fault of another.

    Types of Workers Compensation Benefits

    • Medical Cost – Your employer is responsible for your necessary cost for medical treatment. This can include EMS or emergency services, emergency room treatment, hospital stays, doctor’s visits, therapy, diagnostic testing, surgeries, medications and even reimbursement for travel to-and-from medical appointments.
    • Temporary Total Disability Compensation (TTD) – If a physician completely restricts an employee from working, or places the employee on light-duty restrictions that the employer cannot accommodate, for more than seven consecutive days, then the employee is entitled to temporary total disability benefits. These “TTD” benefits are paid weekly at two-thirds of the employee’s preinjury average weekly wage, up to the state maximum. These “TTD” benefits will continue until the injured employee is released to return by a physician or the physician determines the employee has reached their medical maximum recovery.
    • Permanent Partial Disability Compensation (PPD) – Permanent Partial Disability is calculated based on an impairment rating provided by a physician, related to the injury. The benefit amount is then calculated using the impairment rating and other several other factors. These benefits are paid weekly for 425-520, depending on the level of impairment the employee is assessed at.
    • Permanent Total Disability (PTD) – If the injured employee is unable to return to work, or any type of work on a regular basis, they may be entitled to Permanent Total Disability benefits, which are paid weekly at two-thirds of the average weekly wage, prior to the injury, up to a state maximum.
    • Vocational Rehabilitation – Vocational rehabilitation may be awarded by an administrative law judge, if an injured worker is unable to return to the type of work they were performing when they sustained the injury, if they lack job skills that would transfer to obtain other employment. This training helps the injured employee find other work within their injury restrictions or limitations, and the workers compensation carrier or employer may be ordered to pay for it.

    Kentucky Workers Compensation and Car Accidents

    If you are injured in a car accident while on the clock, you may eligible for workers compensation benefits as well as a claim against the at fault driver. However, pursuant to Kentucky Law, when a third-party injures an employee, the employee may sue the third party, but the insurance carrier or employer has a subrogation right up to the total amount of benefits paid for the employee’s treatment.

    An experienced Kentucky Workers Compensation and car accident attorney can help guide you through this complicated process, and will help you secure the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve while collecting damages against the at fault driver in an auto accident.

    If you or someone you love has been injured in a motor vehicle accident while at work, call us at (888) 782-9090 and schedule a free case evaluation. We have offices in Bowling Green, Glasgow, Greenville and Russellville, Kentucky,  but we travel throughout Kentucky to meet with our injured clients.

    Common Work Injury FAQs

    What is workers’ compensation?

    Kentucky’s workers’ compensation laws were put in place to help protect employees’ health and finances in the event of a workplace injury or illness. With a few exceptions, all employers in Kentucky are required to carry workers’ comp insurance or similar coverage to provide wage replacement and pay medical bills for injured workers. In exchange for this insurance protection, the employee gives up his or her right to sue the employer for injuries or illness sustained on the job.

    What should I do if I have been injured at work in Kentucky?

    If you sustain a Kentucky work-related injury or illness, be sure to follow your employer’s policies for reporting the incident. Generally, you should notify your supervisor/employer immediately by describing the injury or illness, how it happened, and the body part(s) affected. Make sure your employer completes an accident report, but do not sign the report without reading it first.

    If possible, obtain a copy of the report before you leave your place of employment. Seek medical attention for your work injury or illness as soon as possible, and tell your doctor how you got hurt. Have the treating physician report your condition to your employer and the workers’ compensation insurance carrier to facilitate payment of benefits. Be sure to get an “off work” slip if the doctor says you should not work or are restricted from certain work activities.

    How long do I have to file a claim in my Kentucky workers’ compensation case?

    If you are the victim of a Kentucky work injury or illness, determining the amount of time you have to file suit can be a complicated process. For an on-the-job injury, you generally have two years to file a claim after the date of injury or from the last payment of voluntary disability income benefits—whichever is later. In the case of a work-related illness, you generally have three years to file a claim from the date of your diagnosis or three years after your symptoms were sufficient to indicate the disease—whichever is earlier.

    Other factors can influence the statute of limitations in a work injury claim, so be sure you contact an experienced Kentucky work injury attorney at Flora Templeton Stuart to review your case as soon as possible.

    What types of injuries does Kentucky workers’ compensation cover?

    Workers’ compensation should pay benefits to employees who are injured or incur an illness while performing regular job duties during normal work hours. Some work injuries are due to an accident or one-time occurrence while other injuries or occupational diseases can develop slowly over time.

    Common types of work injuries include broken bones, sprains, back or neck injuries, falls, amputations, carpal tunnel syndrome, head or brain injury, respiratory or skin injury due to hazardous substances, repetitive trauma, muscle strain, joint problems, and burns due to faulty equipment.

    If a worker is injured in an auto accident that occurs while on the clock, he/she may be able to seek workers’ comp benefits as well. Workers’ compensation benefits are generally not paid for injuries that result from horseplay, intoxication, intentional self-infliction, or for auto wrecks that occur on the way to or from work.

    What are my rights as an injured worker?

    Injured workers have certain rights under the Kentucky workers’ comp laws including:

    • Access to workers’ compensation insurance coverage through your employer – at no cost to you.
    • The right to file a workers’ comp claim without retaliation from your employer.
    • Payment of medical bills and partial income benefits while recovering.
    • Reimbursement for most expenses incurred treating the work-related injury or illness.
    • Access to your workers’ comp insurance company and claim representative.
    • Ability to choose, without employer interference, a physician to treat the work injury or disease (could be limited to physicians participating in the employers’ managed care program, if applicable).
    • Vocational retaining if the work-related illness or injury leaves the employee unable to perform his/her old job or equivalent.
    • File for permanent disability benefits if the injured employee is totally or partially disabled due to the workplace accident.
    Who is covered by workers’ compensation?

    In Kentucky, most employers are required by law to carry workers’ comp insurance, but some exemptions do exist. The most common exemptions include farmworkers, domestic workers employed in a home with less than two full-time employees, and residential workers/repairmen employed by a homeowner for less than 20 consecutive working days. Some other exemptions to Kentucky’s workers’ compensation law do exist. An experienced workers’ comp lawyer can help you determine if you are covered.

    How do I know if my employer provides Kentucky workers’ compensation insurance?

    Kentucky employers are required by law to post a Workers’ Compensation Notice in a conspicuous location available to all employees. This notice should include information on what an employee should do if injured on the job, the name of the employer’s workers’ comp insurance carrier, and the policy number. You can contact the Department of Workers’ Claims at 1-800-554-8601 if you need more information on how to determine if your employer provides workers’ compensation insurance.

    What benefits are available through Kentucky workers’ compensation insurance?

    The goal of Kentucky workers’ compensation is to restore employees to suitable employment condition after a work-related injury or illness. In order to do this, workers’ comp assists with three major aspects of the employee’s recovery: payment of medical bills, partial wage replacement, and vocational rehabilitation.

    Most injured workers only need assistance for medical bills and wage replacement during their recovery period. If the injury or illness prevents the worker from returning to the occupation in which he/she has training or experience, then vocational retaining may be available to the employee. If the work injury or illness results in the employee’s death, the estate and surviving spouse/dependents may be entitled to benefits for funeral expenses or other compensation.

    Can I get lost wages while I recover from a Kentucky work injury or illness?

    If you are off work due to a work-related injury or illness for more than seven consecutive days, you may be entitled to pay for each day thereafter. If you are off work for more than two weeks, you may be entitled to payment for the first seven days missed as well. These payments are known as “Temporary Total Disability” benefits, or “TTD” for short.

    These benefits are generally paid at a rate of 2/3 your average weekly wage, up to a maximum set by the government each year and will continue until your condition improves enough to allow you to return to work, or a doctor declares you have reached your maximum medical improvement.

    If you have reached maximum medical improvement and still cannot return to work, additional benefits may be available to you through workers’ compensation known as “Permanent Partial Disability” (PPD) or “Permanent Total Disability” (PTD). You may also be eligible to apply for Social Security disability benefits. Contact us to learn more about workers’ comp benefits or applying for Social Security disability.

    What if my loved one died due to a Kentucky work-related injury or illness?

    If an employee is killed on the job, or if a work-related injury or illness contributes to a worker’s death, his or her estate may be entitled to recover through workers’ comp insurance. Generally, the compensation is made in the form of a lump-sum payment that can be used for funeral expenses and other costs related to managing the estate.

    Additionally, the spouse and dependents of the deceased worker may be entitled to certain income benefits through workers’ compensation. In order to qualify for these workers’ benefits, the death must occur within four years of the work-related injury and the death must be related to that injury. Contact an experienced workers’ comp attorney if your loved one has died due to an injury or illness sustained on the job.

    Can I select my own physician to treat my Kentucky work-related illness or injury?

    If you are the victim of a work-related illness or injury, you have the right to select your own physician without obstruction from your employer. Be aware, however, if your employer is part of a managed care program, you will need to select a physician that is in-network (with a few exceptions).

    Depending on the type of work injury or illness you sustained, your physician may refer you one or more specialists for further evaluation or treatment. Under Kentucky’s workers’ comp laws, injured employees have the right to change physicians once without question. Additional physician changes require approval. Your workers’ compensation lawyer can assist you with locating physicians to treat the types of injuries or illnesses you have acquired as a result of your job.

    I was denied workers’ compensation benefits, what should I do?

    Despite laws being in place to protect employees, sometimes employers or their insurance companies don’t want to pay what is owed to an injured worker. The employer or insurance company may claim the injury was pre-existing or that it occurred outside of the employee’s normal job duties or working hours.

    The result is mounting medical bills for the injured worker with no income coming in to pay them. If you think you are being denied the workers’ comp benefits you are entitled to, or if your employer is pressuring you, call our work injury lawyers at (888) 782-9090.

    What if I waived my rights to Kentucky workers’ compensation benefits?

    Some employees may choose to waive their rights to workers’ comp benefits with their employers. By doing so, those employees give up any benefits they would have through workers’ compensation insurance, but they retain the right to sue their employers for work-related injury or illness in civil court.

    Even if you waived your rights to workers’ comp benefits, you may still be able to collect damages for your work injury. These cases are very complex and you must prove your employer was involved in wrongdoing or acted a negligent way in order to recover in civil court. If you waived your rights to workers’ compensation benefits with your employer and have been injured on the job, you should contact an experienced work injury lawyer to see if you have a case.

    Why do I need to hire a Kentucky workers’ compensation attorney?

    Because filing a Kentucky workers’ compensation claim can be a very complex process, most injured employees feel it is in their best interest to hire a work injury attorney to help with their claim—although it is not necessary. A Kentucky workers’ comp lawyer can explain the process and stand up to the employer and insurance company on your behalf. If you think you are being treated unfairly, if your work injury or illness will leave you with a permanent disability, or if your ability to work has been affected by the injury, you should contact a workers’ compensation lawyer right away to evaluate your case.

    How do I pay for an attorney in my workers’ compensation injury case?

    Attorney fees in workers’ compensation cases are governed by state law and are set up on a contingency basis. That means we only get paid if you get paid for your workplace injury claim. For attorney/client contracts made on or after July 14, 2000, there is a maximum fee an injured worker’s lawyer can charge.

    For the first $25,000 of the award, the fee is 20%, 15% for the next $10,000 and 5% can be charged for the remainder of the award, not to exceed $12,000. One of our work injury attorneys will explain this to you when you sign a contract with our firm. Call Warren and Barren County, Kentucky personal injury attorney Flora Templeton Stuart at (888) 782-9090 for a free initial consultation twenty-four hours a day/seven days a week.

    Where can I learn more about Kentucky’s workers’ compensation laws?

    You can learn more about Kentucky’s workers’ comp laws by visiting these websites:

    The Law Firm of Flora Templeton Stuart can assist you.

    Talk to an Expert Work Accident Lawyer Now

    If you or a loved one has been injured, don’t wait. Contact an experienced accident lawyer immediately. When we receive a call from a client who has been injured, we go to work immediately to protect their rights to full and fair compensation. Our law firm goes the extra mile, using our 40-plus years of experience to right the wrongs and make our clients whole again. If you’ve been injured, contact us now. Call Flora Templeton Stuart at (888) 782-9090 or contact us online today.

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