When to Contact a Lawyer Due to Toxic Exposure

Your employer has a responsibility to care for all employees and make every effort to ensure their safety. In most cases, that duty is fulfilled to the letter. In other cases, it’s not upheld as it should be, with the result being that someone gets injured.

If you’ve been exposed to a toxic or noxious substance at work and have suffered as a result, there are options open to you because your rights protect you. If you’re wondering about contacting a lawyer about the incident, our team at the Law Offices of James P. Hoffman has provided the answer here. We are noted among Iowa disability lawyers for the quality of our work and believe this information will be useful.

What you need to know is that you are entitled to workers’ compensation or civil damages depending on the circumstances of the case. If your employer denies your claim, then you should pursue legal action for the justice and compensation you deserve. It’s not easy proving that toxic exposure has led to an injury on your part, but it will be easier to present your case strongly when you have the support of one of the Iowa disability lawyers, such as the one you will find at our firm.

Know Your Rights When You’re Injured on the Job

Everyone has rights; that’s one of the great things about our country, and those rights don’t fall by the wayside when you’re at work. In fact, your rights are bolstered by employment rules and health and safety regulations when you’re on the job.

A lot of people don’t realize that, and if they get hurt on the job, think they have no recourse to the law; it’s just business as usual. At the Law Offices of James P. Hoffman, an Iowa workers’ compensation lawyer, we know it’s not the case and have written this blog post to help you understand your rights when you’re injured on the job.

There are several facts that you should know, including:

• You have the right to file a claim in workers’ compensation court or industrial court.
• You have the right to pursue medical treatment.
• If your doctor clears you to return to work, you have the right to resume your job.
• If you are unable to return to work in the short- or long-term, you have the right to compensation.
• Your rights allow you to be represented by a lawyer during the entire process.

Seek out an Iowa workers’ compensation lawyer who will fight for your rights and seek the compensation you deserve. It’s your right.

Learn More About Suing an Employer for Injury

In most instances, employees cannot sue their employers for work-related injuries. However, there are a few exceptions. Knowing those exceptions can help you greatly if you feel you may have a case for a work-related injury claim. While employers are typically immune from personal injury claims, their immunity is not absolute. The following are situations where you may be able to sue an employer:

The Employer Intentionally Caused Your Injury – In several states, if you can prove that an employer deliberately caused an injury, you can seek full compensation for any injury-related losses.

The Employer Denied a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Bad Faith – In some states, a bad-faith denial of workers’ compensation benefits offers grounds to sue an employer. However, you may need to exhaust other avenues, such as filing an appeal with your state’s workers’ compensation board, before filing a lawsuit in court.

The Employer Manufactured the Product That Injured You – If you were injured in an accident that resulted from a defective product manufactured by your employer, you may be able to sue your employer under the pretense of product liability.

The Employer Has a Relationship with a Contractor or Subcontractor – If you suffered your injury in an accident that involved a contractor or subcontractor, your employer could ultimately be liable based on its business relationship with them.

It’s important to remember that workers’ compensation laws vary between states. To find out if any of these exceptions apply to your personal circumstances, it behooves you to turn to skilled legal counsel. A knowledgeable workers' compensation attorney can examine the details surrounding your situation and let you know what you can do to keep moving forward. If you’re looking into suing an employer for injury, the team at the Law Offices of James P. Hoffman can determine if you may be entitled to take legal action.

Why You Should Seek Assistance from Iowa Disability Lawyers

The Social Security Disability (SSD) application process can be complex, and at times, overwhelming to deal with. If you’ve suffered a life-changing injury and are considering pursuing a disability case, seeking counsel from a knowledgeable, skilled disability lawyer is well worth it. The following are some of the strongest reasons to turn to Iowa disability lawyers to help you with your case:

A Strategic Approach: After carefully assessing your case, your representative can evaluate the strength of your claim and make it strong by determining how to best move forward. A seasoned lawyer is prepared to incorporate all of the details of your story into a compelling case that should give you the strongest chance of earning a successful outcome.

Attention to Detail: Lawyers know all the necessary details and can help you ensure that you fill out your SSD application accurately. If you have never experienced this situation before, it pays to have someone knowledgeable walk you through it to make sure you are getting everything you need to move forward.

Assisting with Medical Evidence: Part of a complete SSD application is the inclusion of medical evidence – a key factor in every case. A lawyer specializing in disability cases can help you gather all of the medical paperwork needed to provide you with the best opportunity for approval.

Staying Diligent if Denied: It’s not uncommon for initial applications to be denied. If your initial claim gets denied, it doesn’t mean that your case is finished. If your claim was denied, you can appeal the decision with the help of a knowledgeable lawyer.

If you have suffered a serious injury that is keeping you from working and negatively impacting your quality of life, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability. Call on the legal team at the Law Offices of James P. Hoffman to schedule an appointment for an initial consultation and see about getting the compensation you deserve.