Helping You Get Compensation For Your Work Injury

Injuries at work can occur at any time and without warning. Afterward, you may be wondering how you will move forward and what to do next. An experienced attorney can provide you with the insight and guidance you need to get the compensation you deserve.

At VanMeveren Law Group, we use our knowledge of workplace injuries to help our clients cope financially with the impact of their injuries. Many on-the-job injuries qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. When workers’ comp does not provide the full amount that you need, our firm can assist in seeking compensation through a third-party personal injury claim.

Compensation For Your Injuries

Workers’ compensation through your employer provides benefits such as disability pay and medical care. However, workers’ comp typically replaces only about two-thirds of income and does not provide for damages such as pain and suffering. A personal injury claim allows you to collect compensation for everything you have lost. It can help provide your family with a secure financial future.

While you typically cannot take action against your employer for a workplace accident, it may be possible to file a claim against any third parties responsible for your injury. A third party is someone who does not work for your employer. Some third parties include drivers in car accidents, suppliers, vendors, contractors, equipment manufacturers and others.

Types Of Workplace Accidents

We provide representation to clients who have suffered injuries in a wide range of industries, including:

• Construction accidents: Construction sites are hazardous and can be the scene of serious accidents. We represent construction workers and other workers who have been injured on a construction job site.
• Oil field injuries: Oil rigs are extremely complex machines. Any issues can result in injuries to the highly trained workers who operate them and those who work in the oil fields. We work with oil field workers after they have suffered an oil field-related injury.
• Other on-the-job accidents: If you have been injured in another type of workplace accident in an office, while driving a work vehicle or other situations, talk to us to discuss how we can help you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado Workplace Injuries

What should I do after being injured at work?

Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible, preferably in writing, and seek appropriate medical care. Preserve any photographs, incident reports, witness information and communications concerning the accident. Colorado generally requires injured employees to notify their employer in writing within 10 working days, although a late report does not necessarily eliminate the right to benefits.

What benefits are available through Colorado workers’ compensation?

Depending on the circumstances, workers’ compensation may pay for authorized medical treatment, replace a portion of lost wages and provide disability benefits. It generally does not compensate an injured worker for pain and suffering or provide the full range of damages available through a personal injury claim.

Can I sue my employer after a workplace injury?

In most cases, workers’ compensation is the exclusive remedy against an employer for an on-the-job injury. However, that rule does not necessarily prevent you from bringing a personal injury claim against a negligent person or company other than your employer.

What is a third-party workplace injury claim?

A third-party claim is a personal injury claim against someone other than your employer or a co-worker covered by the workers’ compensation system. For example, you may have a third-party claim if you were injured by a negligent driver, subcontractor, property owner, equipment manufacturer, supplier or another outside business.

Can I receive workers’ compensation and pursue a personal injury claim?

Potentially, yes. An injured worker may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits while also pursuing a claim against a responsible third party. However, the workers’ compensation insurer may have a right to reimbursement from a third-party recovery. An attorney can evaluate how the two claims interact and protect your interests.

What compensation is available in a third-party workplace injury case?

A third-party personal injury claim may provide compensation for medical expenses, lost income, diminished future earning capacity, pain and suffering, permanent impairment and other losses caused by the injury. The compensation available will depend on the facts of the accident, the severity of the injuries and the available insurance coverage.

What are some common examples of third-party workplace injury claims?

These claims can arise from motor vehicle collisions involving employees who drive for work, defective tools or machinery, unsafe construction sites, negligent contractors, dangerous property conditions and accidents caused by vendors or delivery companies. Determining who employed each person and who controlled the worksite can be important.

Who may be responsible for a construction-site injury?

Depending on the circumstances, potentially responsible parties can include general contractors, subcontractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers and other companies working at the site. Construction accidents should be investigated promptly because several businesses may share responsibility and important evidence can disappear quickly.

How long do I have to bring a workplace injury claim in Colorado?

Different deadlines may apply to a workers’ compensation claim and a third-party personal injury lawsuit. Colorado’s Division of Workers’ Compensation generally instructs workers to file a workers’ claim within two years, but exceptions and other deadlines may apply. Because waiting can jeopardize either claim, you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible after an injury. Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation

How can VanMeveren Law Group help after a workplace accident?

We can investigate how the accident happened, identify companies or individuals who may be responsible and determine whether you have a third-party personal injury claim in addition to workers’ compensation benefits. We offer free initial consultations to help injured workers understand their legal options.

Learn More About Your Options

We offer a free initial consultation so you can discuss your case with us. A member of our firm can review your case and determine if you have the right to file a personal injury claim. Get in touch with us today to schedule your appointment. Call our firm at 970-792-2103 or contact us online.