Lifting something off the ground, putting something on a high shelf, or just bending over toward something at your feet can very easily and quickly lead to a debilitating back or shoulder injury, something which many people, unfortunately, learn the hard way. Just like any other type of injury, though, a lifting injury that happens while you are at work could qualify you for benefits under your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance policy.
Of course, knowing you have a right to file for workers’ comp benefits is one thing, but actually getting those benefits can be another entirely—especially if you try to pursue your claim without a skilled workers’ comp attorney’s support. A Reno workplace lifting injury lawyer from Shook & Stone is available to help you through every step of the filing process and will give you the best possible chance of obtaining the benefits you need.
Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim Over a Lifting Injury
For a lifting injury like a pulled muscle in your back or a strained tendon in your arm to serve as grounds for a workers’ comp claim, you must be able to prove that your injury occurred while you were performing a work-related task. The definition of “work-related” is fairly broad. It is generally possible to file a claim over an injury sustained while at work even if what you were doing at the time was not a typical part of your job duties—for example, if you pulled something while lifting a box of files inside an office building.
It is also worth noting that workers’ comp typically does not cover injuries caused primarily by horseplay or otherwise by the injured worker’s negligence. Among other things, representation from a seasoned Reno workplace lifting injury attorney can be key to proving that your injury meets all the necessary criteria to qualify you for workers’ comp coverage.
What Are the Legal Deadlines for Workers’ Comp Cases?
Under Nevada state law, workers who get hurt on the job and wish to seek workers’ comp benefits for their injury must notify their employer of that injury by filling out and submitting an Incident Report to their supervisor no more than seven days after the injury first occurred. Then, that worker must:
- Seek professional medical attention from an employer-authorized provider
- After receiving initial diagnosis and care, fill out the “Employee” section of the Employee’s Claim for Compensation form
- Submit the form to their employer within 90 days of when they initially got hurt
In the event a third party besides your direct employer is partially at fault for causing your work-related injury through their own negligent behavior, you have two years from your initial injury date to file a civil suit against them. That said, this is rarely a factor in claims involving workplace lifting injuries in Reno, although your lawyer can go over possible recovery options with you in detail during a confidential consultation.
Contact a Reno Workplace Lifting Injury Attorney for Assistance
Feeling a tweak in your back or a twinge in your shoulder while lifting something can ruin your day, your week, or—if it forces you out of work for a long time—potentially months dragging out into years. Thankfully, workers’ compensation coverage can provide benefits on a fault-free basis if you get hurt while working as a covered employee.
However, getting a favorable outcome from this kind of claim can be difficult without assistance from a capable legal professional who has handled similar cases successfully in the past. Call today to learn how a Reno workplace lifting injury lawyer from Shook & Stone can help with your claim.
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