Seeking Workers’ Compensation as a Commercial Truck Driver
When a worker is injured on the job, the impact of their injury can have a serious impact on the financial well-being of their family. Not only can a work injury result in significant medical expenses, but also potentially long-term income loss. Recognizing this, securing workers’ compensation can be incredibly important to the injured party and their family. Commercial trucking is an inherently dangerous profession and employee injuries are more common than most would assume. If you have been injured while working as a commercial trucker, you may be entitled to significant workers’ compensation payments.
Commercial Trucking Injuries
Due to the dangerous nature of commercial truck driving, workers’ compensation claims are common throughout the industry. Long driving hours and inconsistent exercise patterns can lead to an increased likelihood of injuries. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 60,000 commercial truck drivers suffer non-fatal injuries each year. The most common causes of injuries within the industry include motor vehicle collisions, accidents while loading or unloading cargo, and long-term overexertion.
Securing Compensation
It is important to understand that employer negligence does not have to play a role in a workplace injury, in order for a worker to be entitled to workers’ compensation payments. After suffering an injury, the first step you can take is speaking to an attorney that you can trust. Ensure that your attorney is knowledgeable regarding the extent of medical expenses, and loss of income that resulted due to the injury. Do not settle for an injury settlement that does not cover all of your expenses. In many instances, companies will attempt to have an employee agree to a minimal compensation package, as a means of saving money.
If negligence did play a role in the accident, your attorney may suggest filing a personal injury suit. Negligence is common in the commercial trucking industry and can lead to serious injuries. Some of the most common forms of negligence in commercial trucking include faulty maintenance on a vehicle, overloading a truck, and pressuring a worker into driving over their log limit.
Contact a Naperville Workers’ Compensation Attorney
With years of legal experience in the state of Illinois, our team at Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur P.C., is prepared to do everything we can to ensure your family receives the compensation you need after a workplace accident. Recently our firm helped secure an over $700,000 settlement for a commercial truck driver that suffered injuries on the job. To schedule a free consultation with a knowledgeable Aurora personal injury attorney, call us today at 630-907-0909.
Source:
https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2015/article/pdf/workplace-hazards-of-truck-drivers.pdf
