Transportation Worker Accident Lawyers in Birmingham

Being a transportation worker is always listed as one of the top 10 most dangerous occupations. And in the U.S., the highest number of occupational fatalities come from transportation accidents. Over-the-road truck drivers and others who drive commercially for a living are at greater risk of getting hurt than workers in most other industries, not only from vehicle accidents, but also from physical injuries that happen during the course of the job.

When a transportation industry worker is injured, they will usually be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, regardless of whose fault the injury was. There are some exceptions to this, but these exceptions are mainly for injuries that happen because a worker violated company policy, such as getting drunk on the job. Otherwise, if the injury is work-related, workers’ comp should cover it.

While this is how the workers’ compensation system is supposed to work, in practice, things do not always happen this way. Trucking companies and other employers will often put up unnecessary roadblocks during the claims process, hoping to frustrate workers into giving up on the benefits they deserve. In addition, they may look for ways that they can to deny a legitimate claim by finding some legal loophole or by interpreting events in the most unfavorable way possible for the injured employee.

If you are a transportation worker who has suffered a workplace injury, you need strong legal counsel by your side working tirelessly to recover compensation. With a skilled attorney working on your behalf, you can help ensure that the claims process is followed correctly and significantly minimize the chances of your claim being denied on a technicality.

At Burge & Burge, we are committed to standing up for the working people of Alabama. Our lawyers have extensive experience helping transportation workers and those who work in all other types of industries recover workers’ compensation benefits after being injured or contracting an occupational illness on the job. We have in-depth knowledge of the workers’ compensation claims process, and we help our clients navigate the complexities of this process, putting them in the best possible position to obtain a positive outcome.

We also help workers who have been denied benefits with the appeals process. So, if you have a legitimate claim and you have been denied workers’ comp benefits, do not give up. Call our office for a free consultation and case assessment and we will see what we can do to get you the benefits you deserve.

Transportation Accidents in Alabama

As mentioned earlier, transportation-related events are the leading cause of worker fatalities. This means accidents not only among transportation industry workers, such as commercial truck drivers and bus drivers, but also among workers in other industries where transportation is central to what they do. Examples include:

• Construction
• Mining
• Quarrying
• Oil and Gas
• Logging
• Power Lineman/Utility Workers
• Manufacturing
• Railroad Workers

In these and many other industries, materials are frequently transported from one place to another, and many of their workers spend a lot of time on the roadways.

Vehicle accidents are of course one of the major potential hazards transportation industry workers regularly face, but it is not the only one. Those who work in transportation also run the risk of physical injury from working long hours, sitting for long periods of time, and overexertion from doing a lot of heavy lifting. This can result in neck, shoulder and back problems, spinal injuries, herniated discs, and similar issues. In some cases, a worker can even and up with permanent muscle and ligament damage because of these conditions.

What Benefits Can I Obtain through Workers’ Compensation?

If a transportation worker suffers a workplace injury, it is important to report it to your employer as soon as possible. As we talked about earlier, workers’ comp is a no-fault system that allows eligible employees to collect benefits regardless of what caused the injury. And in exchange for the “no-fault” provision, an employee is usually not able to bring a personal injury lawsuit against their employer (although there are some exceptions to this rule as well).

The main advantage of workers’ compensation is you don’t have to prove that your employer is responsible for causing your injury. This makes it easier to obtain benefits than if you are trying to sue your employer for damages. The main disadvantage is that benefits are limited to compensation for medical expenses, a percentage of your wages for time missed from work, rehabilitation/training for a new position, and permanent disability. Unlike a personal injury claim, you are not able to recover compensation for certain noneconomic losses such as pain and suffering and emotional distress.

It is important to note that railroad worker injuries do not fall under the purview of the workers’ compensation system. Compensation for a railroad injury can be recovered under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), and it the process works essentially the same way as a personal injury claim.

Third-Party Claims for Transportation Worker Accidents

Although outside of the railroad industry you may not be able to sue your employer for a work-related accident, there are no such restrictions on bringing a personal injury lawsuit against a third-party if that party’s actions caused or contributed to your injury. This can come up quite often with transportation workers, such as if another vehicle crashes into yours while you are driving or if a worker at the loading dock where you are delivering your goods drops a pallet on you.

There may also be instances when a faulty or dangerous product causes an injury. One possible example of this is if you are driving on the highway with brand new tires and one of them blows out. In such a case, if it is determined that the blown-out tire was defective, you may be able to bring a product liability claim against the manufacturer, distributor, or other parties in the product’s supply chain.

Contact Our Alabama Transportation Worker Accident Attorneys

When a transportation industry worker gets hurt on the job, it can be surprisingly difficult to recover the compensation they deserve, and this is especially true if you are not working with an experienced attorney. At Burge & Burge, we are ready to go to work for you! We know the workers’ compensation laws inside and out, and we have in-depth experience with all types of personal injury claims as well. We will thoroughly evaluate the specific circumstances of your case and explore every potential legal avenue toward recovering maximum compensation.

Contact our office in Birmingham at 205-251-9000 or message us online to schedule your free, no obligation consultation.

We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no legal fees until compensation is successfully recovered on your behalf.