Were you injured on the job in Westlake, Ohio? Count on Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers to help you fight for the compensation you deserve. An experienced Westlake workplace accident lawyer can help you seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, and more. Call (419) 502-5821 to schedule your free case review today.
Our lawyers have over 181 years of combined experience representing injury victims and their families. We’ve used our skills to successfully recover over $100 million in financial awards. Pursuing compensation after a serious on-the-job injury can be difficult. We’re here to handle the legal and insurance issues while you recover.
How Can Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers Help Me Fight for Compensation After a Workplace Accident in Westlake?
Injured workers in Westlake, OH, have rights. That said, an insurance company, defense team, or even your employer may try to stand between you and the fair compensation you deserve. Injured parties have trusted our team at Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers to pursue compensation since we opened our doors.
When you choose our law firm, you benefit from a team that’s been recognized by:
- Super Lawyers
- The Top 40 Under 40
- The Multi-Million Dollar Advocates’ Forum
You only have one chance to recover the compensation you deserve. You don’t have to let the insurance companies and their lawyers take advantage of you. Instead, contact an experienced Westlake personal injury attorney who can advocate for a fair deal.
There’s no charge for your initial consultation, so call us today.
How Common Are Workplace Accidents in Ohio?
In 2024 alone, Ohio employers reported roughly 77,100 workplace injuries and illnesses to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s an average of about 211 workplace injuries every single day. Unfortunately, employers also reported 165 fatal workplace accidents that year.
Overview of the Laws Governing Workplace Injury Claims in Ohio
Employers in Ohio are required to pay for workers’ compensation insurance. If all of the following are true, you’ll start by filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits:
- You’re a common-law employee, not an independent contractor
- You were injured while performing duties that were work-related or on-the-job
Workers’ compensation can be a critical lifeline. Benefits cover a significant portion of your costs. If you’re uncertain about your rights or your employer says you can’t file a claim, call our attorneys immediately. We can help.
Can I File a Personal Injury Lawsuit if I Was Injured on the Job in Westlake?
It’s important to understand that workers’ compensation benefits are limited. They’re only meant to help with the economic costs associated with a work injury. Some injured workers can look to the personal injury system for additional damages.
Assuming your employer has proper workers’ comp insurance, they’re protected against lawsuits. That’s true even if they caused your accident. Third parties aren’t entitled to similar liability protection.
Potentially responsible parties may include a contractor, property owner, third-party driver, or even the manufacturer of a defective work tool. You may also have a valid lawsuit if you were classified as a contractor, not an employee.
Our Attorneys in Westlake Handle All Types of Work-Related Accident Claims
With decades of legal experience, our Westlake workplace accident attorneys have the expertise to handle any type of workplace injury claim.
We represent clients who were injured in:
- Construction accidents
- Warehouse and factory accidents
- Industrial accidents
- Toxic exposure
- Manufacturing accidents
- Agriculture accidents
- Falls from heights
- Accidents involving construction equipment and machinery
- Truck and other motor vehicle accidents
- Accidents involving falling objects or being struck by an object
- Caught in/between accidents
- Fires and explosions
- Electrocution and electric shock accidents
- Structural collapse
- Slip and fall accidents
- Staircase and elevator accidents
- Incidents involving workplace violence
Members of our legal team are always available to discuss your case. Call our team or contact us online to learn more about your legal options for seeking compensation.
How Much Money Is My Westlake Workplace Accident Case Worth?
Injuries can be costly. Even a temporary injury can be expensive when all things are considered. The primary factors that are relevant to the value of your workers’ comp benefits include:
- Are your injuries temporary or permanent?
- How much did you earn prior to the disability?
- Can you perform any type of work to earn some income during recovery?
- Will your earning capacity remain impaired once you recover to the extent possible?
- What types of injuries did you suffer?
A key consideration in your overall case value is: who was responsible? If you can file a lawsuit, your damages award will likely be higher. Workers’ comp benefits are capped. Damages in personal injury lawsuits can cover all of your losses.
What Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits Are Available to Workplace Accident Victims in Ohio?
Workers’ compensation provides disability (wage replacement) benefits and medical expense reimbursement. You can get your medical bills covered even if you don’t miss time at work.
Various types of disability benefits exist in Ohio, including:
- Periodic, temporary, or permanent wage replacement benefits
- Lump sum awards
- Living maintenance benefits if you enroll in certain types of rehab programs
- Benefits related to facial disfigurement
- Loss-of-use benefits
- Death benefits for dependents of fatal work accident victims
The type of benefits you receive will depend on your injuries. Temporary total disability benefits are perhaps the most common. You must be unable to work for at least seven days to receive these benefits.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Westlake Workplace Victims in Personal Injury Claims?
With personal injury lawsuits, you can demand compensation for your economic damages and non-economic damages, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Chronic pain
- Reduced quality of life
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Hiring an experienced Westlake workplace accident attorney is the best way to ensure you’re recovering the full amount you deserve. Your attorney can work with you to identify the losses you’ve experienced.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Lawyer To Handle a Compensation Claim After a Workplace Accident in Westlake?
You can hire Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers on a contingency fee basis. That means there aren’t up-front costs. Contingent representation also means our attorneys’ fees depend entirely on our success. When we win, we deduct a pre-set percentage from your compensation award.
Can Sharing Blame for a Workplace Accident Impact My Right To Recover Damages in Ohio?
It depends on the laws that apply in your case. Sharing fault will limit your right to damages in a civil personal injury lawsuit. If you were at least 51% responsible, you cannot receive compensation under Ohio’s comparative negligence law.
Shared fault doesn’t typically impact your workers’ compensation benefits–unless you intentionally caused your own injuries.
Workplace Accident Victims in Westlake Are Prone To Suffering All Types of Physical Injuries
Some of the most commonly reported workplace injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Nerve injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Burn injuries
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Eye injuries
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
If you or a loved one were injured on the job, you deserve to focus on your physical recovery. Our attorneys have the tools to handle the paperwork, identify all sources of compensation, and ensure your rights are protected.
What Causes Most Workplace Accidents in Westlake?
Workplace accidents can happen for many different reasons. Some common situations involve:
- Missing or damaged safety protection equipment
- Improperly maintained work equipment
- Negligent property maintenance
- Inadequate lighting
- Lack of adequate training or supervision
- Ignoring state or federal OSHA safety regulations
- Communication failures
- Overexertion
- Heavy lifting
- Contact with objects
Our lawyers are equipped to conduct a full investigation. Identifying the cause of the accident is the first step to understanding your legal options.
How Much Time Do I Have To File a Claim for Compensation After a Workplace Accident in Ohio?
Different statutes of limitations apply depending on the laws that govern your case. With workers’ compensation, you must notify your employer as soon as possible. You have one year to file your formal claim for benefits. In personal injury cases, the statute of limitations in Ohio gives you two years to take legal action.
You have to file your claim before the deadline passes. If you wait too long, you could lose your right to recover any compensation at all. Because different deadlines can apply, consulting an experienced attorney quickly is always a good idea.
Contact a Westlake Workplace Accident Lawyer for a Free Case Evaluation
Contact Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers if you were injured on the job in Westlake, Ohio. As an injured worker, it’s important to know your rights. An experienced Westlake workplace accident attorney can help you demand the full compensation you deserve. Call us today to discuss your case and options.