Work Injury Lawyer Boca Raton
Construction workers face a variety of significant dangers each time they set foot on a job site. There are risks associated with trip-and-falls, falling from a distance, trench collapse, falling objects and burns/explosions, just to name a few. These scenarios often result in acute injuries associated with a specific accident, and the corresponding dangers are well-documented (though still sadly common). What many workers aren’t aware of, however, are the long-term effects associated with construction work. Bodily “wear and tear” from construction work can be significant over time, and there are even certain injuries associated with long-term use of power tools that vibrate.
If you’re thinking that you may have a medical condition associated with your long-term use of vibrating power tools, you may be right. Construction workers are generally tough individuals and may be reluctant to seek medical attention and legal guidance related to their long-term injuries. However, it’s important to speak with a work injury lawyer Boca Raton, Florida residents trust instead of dismissing your medical challenges outright. Speaking with the team at Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt doesn’t commit you to filing a workers’ compensation claim or otherwise taking action. However, discussing your circumstances with an experienced Boca Raton work injury lawyer will allow you to make an informed decision about your legal options at this time and moving forward.
The Risks of Excessive Vibration
Most tools used on a construction site create vibration on purpose or as a byproduct of other functions. Tools that rely on vibration include plate compactors and jackhammers. But nearly every tool creates some vibration as a byproduct of use – even battery-powered drills. When using such tools, most of that vibration gets absorbed into your hands, arms, torso and back.
Some amount of vibration is fine, but excessive amounts (over a prolonged period of time) can lead to a condition known as Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) that disrupts circulation and nerve function in your upper limbs. This condition is estimated to impact more than half a million construction workers in the United States.
Symptoms and Health Effects
HAVS often begins with fingers turning white. You may also feel numbness or tingling in the fingers, hands and arms. Over time, the pain could increase significantly, you may suffer a severely reduced sense of touch, you might lose grip strength/range of motion and suffer damage to the muscles and bones throughout your upper limbs.
Once you recognize symptoms of HAVS, you can stop the progression (by ceasing working with vibrating tools), but the damage is usually irreversible. It also leaves you at an increased risk of developing a similar condition known as Raynaud’s Syndrome.
Other Work Injuries
HAVS isn’t the only reason you’d want to contact a work injury lawyer in Boca Raton, Florida. There are many other serious injuries you can experience on a job site, and they’re all challenging to get through. Working on a construction site is risky, and injuries happen – but some are perfectly avoidable, and might be caused by negligence. Some common work injures include:
- Falls: Any time you have to go up on a scaffolding, there’s a chance you’ll fall. Proper safety briefs and communication can minimize the risks of falling, and ensuring a scaffolding is assembled securely can prevent severe accidents. Does your employer have the proper safety measures in place?
- Electrocution: Construction sites are full of hazards, including exposed wires, generators, batteries, and power tools. t’s common to get shocked, but it is preventable with proper safety precautions – including the right protective equipment.
- Burns: Is there welding equipment on your job site? What about gas lines? These are common sources of burns on the job, and negligence can make these injuries even worse. As with many other injuries, some burns are completely preventable, and shouldn’t happen in the first place.
- Slip and falls: Slip and falls can happen anywhere, and are even more prevalent in an outdoor worksite with uneven footing. While a slip and fall might seem minor at first, they can develop into more severe medical issues if left untreated. Work injury lawyers in Boca Raton, FL, are well-versed in slip and falls, and can provide more information.
- Overexertion: Construction workers oftentimes go above and beyond to make sure the job is done. However, being pressured to over-perform in an unsafe and stressful environment can mean overexertion. Dehydration and heat stroke are all possible if left unmanaged.
If you’ve been injured on a job site, your primary focus should be recovery. This can be a challenge for anyone, and in the case of a work-related injury, it can be even harder. You’ll have to battle with insurance companies, pay medical bills, and miss work, and all of these additional challenges can make your recovery much more painful than it should be.
The Cost of Recovery
You would think that insurance companies would want to get you your money as soon as possible in the event of an accident – after all, isn’t that what you’re paying them for? Unfortunately, many insurance companies make money by holding onto money for as long as possible so they can profit from interest. This means you might be kept hanging until the last minute to finally pay for your medical care.
Additionally, chances are you won’t be able clock in at work every day if you’re bouncing between hospital visits, doctor’s appointments, and medical procedures. Getting the proper medical care so you can make a full recovery means missing work, and missing wages. We rely on our paychecks to make ends meet: that’s why it’s important to contact a lawyer about your lost wages due to a work injury.
Fortunately, a work injury lawyer in Boca Raton, FL, can help you secure the compensation you deserve. They can negotiate with insurance companies to ensure you get your payout as soon as possible, and they’ll make sure you’re well looked-after if you have to miss work and are struggling to meet financial obligations due to your injury.
Don’t battle your work injury alone: contact Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt for a free consultation, and see how we can help you get through your recovery as smoothly as possible.
Seeking Workers’ Compensation
HAVS and Raynaud’s Syndrome are both medically recognized conditions. As such, if you develop one or both, you should be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits. Because the damage done is irreversible and you may be considered partially disabled, part of your benefits may need to include retraining for other work.
Working with an experienced Boca Raton work injury lawyer is a great way to make the process easier and ensure that your needs are adequately addressed by your employer and the insurance company.
Contact a Work Injury Lawyer Boca Raton Trusts
Our firm is proud to represent Florida workers injured on the job. We offer experienced guidance in all aspects of workers’ compensation. To learn more about how we can help you, please give us a call to arrange an initial consultation with a Boca Raton work injury lawyer who really cares.
