I was hurt at work. What is the best way to get the money I deserve if the company isn't willing to pay?

Question

I work at a factory, I sequence parts for GM. I was sitting at my desk when another employee ran in to me with a tugger. A tugger is a car-like machine that hauls train like carts of commidities, and loads them in a semi truck. He had jumped off the tugger while it was moving and it coasted into me. At the time I fractured a rib, and went back to work the following monday. About a month later I started having back problems. They got worse and it has been about 4-5 months now. I have a buldging disc in my back and a build up of spinal fluid in one spot causing me to have numbness in all my extremidies. I have seen several doctors and specialist. My current doc is a neroligist, and he reports the current status of my injury is directly related to the accident. I didn't claim workers comp at first, so I believe it is slowing down the prossess. I am now talking to a lawyer.

Answer 1

Make sure you start documenting everything as soon as you can after the accident as it provides "proof" of your injury. Whether you go through wcb or privately through a lawyer (civil), you need evidence. Get as many reports from professionals in writing. If the truck had insurance you have a legal right to claim through their insurance company. As well you can also claim "accident benefits" through your own insurance company even though your vehicle was not involved. Its a good thing about living in Ontario. The accident benefits will cover all ofyour medical expenses and lost time. Regardless, if you have any type of nerve injury, my experience is to get a good lawyer first. Most law firm act on a "pay if we win" basis. bulding discs will last you a lifetime of pain unfortunately. I feel bad for you because your risk of getting arthritis in your ribs is really high. Soft tissue pain is also a chronic life long problem. IF you need immediate income you can apply for unemployment insurance-sick leave provided your doctor signed the form. ODSP is also another program that will help in regards to income (Ontario disability support program). Again you need documentation from physicians to access these programs or no one will talk to you. WCB is really difficult to get income and expenses covered. You're obligated to report the injury if its on a work site though. I hope this information helps you. My husband was injured "on the job" and we had to learn all of these things the hard way. Because it was a vehicle that hit you, accident benefits automatically should cover you. You have up to 2 years to sue them legally as well.

Answer 2

your first mistake was not seeing employee health when this happened and having it documented by them....after so many monthes its gonna be difficult to prove a bulging disc was caused by that...even if your doc says this is a result of that not having documentation of the initial injury will slow down the process...the company isn't looking out for you,they are concerned for their welfare only...people need to advocate for themselves and no matter how small an injury seems always see the health office at work so there is paperwork related to an injury

Answer 3

I think you are going in the right direction, talking to an attorney.
Hopefully, you reported your initial injury on some kind of work injury report, or the company sent you to their medical care facility. The attorney should have doctors that will connect your problems now to your injury then. Anyway Good Luck.

Answer 4

You are doing the right thing. Sounds like a Workman's comp case for sure. Some lawyers will do this for you "Pro Bono" and collect a percentage of the money that you settle for .

Answer 5

Each state varies as far as how long you have to file on a workman's comp case...but definitely talk to an attorney. this really is your best bet. The trouble is that you will have to see a work comp doctor and hiss opinion may vary from that of your regular physician. I wish you luck, My husband has chronic back pain and he is only 30....it is really hard for him to manage!!
An attorney really will be able to advise you better than most people on this forum.

Answer 6

Go see your union rep and a lawyer.Did you report the accident at the time? Workers comp laws are differant in differant countries but it sounds like you might have a case.

Answer 7

You are on the right track!! Getting an attorney was the best decision, now sit back, keep you mouth shut to all co-workers and let your attorney do their job. Be very careful who you speak with regarding this as it "will" come back to bite you in the end.

Answer 8

For Legal help I recommend this website where you can find all the solutions. http://creditandfinancesol.info/index.html?src=5YAPZPovy3gpS1

RE :I was hurt at work. What is the best way to get the money I deserve if the company isn't willing to pay?
I work at a factory, I sequence parts for GM. I was sitting at my desk when another employee ran in to me with a tugger. A tugger is a car-like machine that hauls train like carts of commidities, and loads them in a semi truck. He had jumped off the tugger while it was moving and it coasted into me. At the time I fractured a rib, and went back to work the following monday. About a month later I started having back problems. They got worse and it has been about 4-5 months now. I have a buldging disc in my back and a build up of spinal fluid in one spot causing me to have numbness in all my extremidies. I have seen several doctors and specialist. My current doc is a neroligist, and he reports the current status of my injury is directly related to the accident. I didn't claim workers comp at first, so I believe it is slowing down the prossess. I am now talking to a lawyer.
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Answer 9

keep talking to the lawyer, maybe you should file a Workman's comp suit against the company

Answer 10

Sue them , if they harmed you , they should pay at least to make you better , and especially because the money that they would pay you if you win a trial they would make them back in like half a year.