Reno Workplace Injury Lawyer
You’ve been injured at work, and now you need help paying your medical bills, replacing your lost wages, and getting your life back on track. Like most people who have been hurt while on the job, the first step you may have taken was to file for benefits through Nevada’s workers’ compensation system. However, workers’ comp benefits won’t cover everything you need to make the fullest possible recovery.
Depending on the circumstances surrounding your accident or injury, you may have an opportunity to access compensation through a third-party personal injury claim. These cases can be exceptionally complex, though. When an injury occurs in a workplace setting, it is often presumed that it falls completely under the employer’s workers’ compensation coverage, and the insurance company for another at-fault party can be resistant to paying a fair settlement.
Identifying and holding at-fault parties responsible for their actions requires the skill, background, and knowledge of a Reno work injury lawyer. For an opportunity to sit down with an experienced attorney for a completely free and no-obligation case evaluation, get in touch today. We’ll schedule you for a meeting at a time that works best for you.
When a Work Injury Is More Than a Workers’ Compensation Case
In the state of Nevada, every employer with one or more employees is required to purchase and maintain workers’ compensation insurance coverage. This coverage kicks in when an employee suffers an on-the-job injury or an occupational injury or illness related to their work.
The unique circumstances surrounding an injury could mean that a case also falls under the category of personal injury.
This happens when another person or entity played a role in a worker’s injury. For example, if a nurse was assaulted by a violent patient, they would potentially qualify to file both a workers’ compensation claim with their employer as well as a personal injury claim against the attacker.
In most situations, pursuing compensation through a personal injury claim does not disqualify you from seeking workers’ compensation benefits.
What Type of Compensation Can a Reno Work Injury Attorney Help Me Recover?
Workers’ compensation benefits have a relatively limited scope, addressing only a portion of specific financial needs. On the other hand, compensation secured in a personal injury claim can cover a much wider range of losses.
Specifically, compensation generally falls under the categories of economic and non-economic damages, which refer to your financial and non-financial losses. In a typical personal injury claim, you may be able to recover compensation for some of the following losses:
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment in life
You need to correctly calculate the total value of the losses you’ve suffered the first time. In most cases, there is no second chance to go back and ask for more money after you’ve already received a settlement.
A Reno workplace injury lawyer from the Law Office of Matthew L. Sharp will carefully review the details of your case, evaluate all available evidence, and accurately value the worth of your claim. Contact us today to find out how.
Potential Liable Parties in a Third-Party Work Injury Claim
So who can be held liable in a third-party personal injury claim? That largely depends on what happened to you and who played a role in your injuries. A typical personal injury claim involving a workplace accident could possibly include one or more of the following at-fault parties:
- Manufacturer or distributor of the defective product
- Third-party contractor
- Customer or client
- Patient
- Driver
- Property owner
- Chemical manufacturer
Please note that you cannot sue a coworker or your employer after a work injury. Because of the way that workers’ compensation laws function, your right to quickly qualify for benefits following an on-the-job accident comes at the expense of your right to sue your boss or someone else you work with.
Nevada Workplace Accident and Injury Statistics
In 2021, there were 2,607,900 non-fatal occupational injuries or illnesses in the United States. To get a better understanding of how work injuries impact people in our local community, let’s take a closer look at statistics for the state of Nevada for that same year:
- There were 29,800 non-fatal work injuries and illnesses.
- Of those, 9,700 required time away from work.
- Another 9,000 required job restriction or transfer.
- Incidents of on-the-job violence are higher than the S. average.
- Transportation accidents caused 40% of fatal occupational injuries.
Incidence rates for injuries in Nevada tend to be higher than our national average, too. Nationwide, there were 2.7 injuries per 100 full-time workers. In Nevada, the incidence rate was 3.3 non-fatal injuries per every 100 full-time workers. Work injuries requiring time off also occur at a higher incidence rate.
The Most Dangerous Occupations in Nevada
Based on 2021 data, the following are the top 10 most dangerous industries in Nevada:
- Transportation and warehousing
- Mining
- Public administration
- Arts, entertainment, and recreation
- Waste management
- Retail
- Accommodation and food services
- Real estate rental and leasing
- Manufacturing
- Information technology (IT)
You don’t have to work in one of the most dangerous industries to be at risk for a serious workplace injury. If another person’s negligence played a role in the accident, you may be eligible for additional compensation through a personal injury claim.
Speak With a Reno Workplace Injury Lawyer Today
At the Law Office of Matthew L. Sharp, we are proud to provide unparalleled legal guidance to the residents of Reno, Washoe County, and the surrounding area. In his community and among his peers, attorney Matt Sharp has earned a reputation of being uncompromising, fearless, and courageous when facing off with insurance companies.
Our first meeting is always free. For an opportunity to speak with a Reno workplace injury lawyer to learn more about your legal options, please contact us at your earliest convenience.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
“I recently retained the professional services of Matthew Sharp and his law firm to represent my interest in a legal proceeding. Mr. Sharp and his firm shall I say was way over the top in providing excellent and sound legal advice. His professional attitude and attention to detail during the entire process was second to none as well as the rapid and courteous responses from Mr. Sharp and his staff to any and all of my questions regarding my case. Furthermore, I would give my utmost support to anyone choosing Mr. Sharp and his firm in any type of legal representation.”
- RICK S.
