Were you or a loved one injured on the job in Morgantown, WV? You could be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
An experienced workplace accident lawyer at Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers can review your case and discuss your rights. Our team has 315 years of combined personal injury experience and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients.
Call today at (304) 225-5990 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a Morgantown workplace accident lawyer. We are confident that we can help you make the most of your claim.
How Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Workplace Accident in Morgantown, WV
Workplace accidents are stressful, and many employees find themselves unsure of what to do afterward. Navigating a claim can be time-consuming, especially for individuals recovering from a significant injury.
You need an experienced workplace accident lawyer to navigate the process and ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Since 1996, Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers have fought hard for accident victims in West Virginia. Whether it’s filing a workers’ compensation claim or filing a personal injury lawsuit (or both), we can help you every step of the way.
When you hire our Morgantown personal injury lawyers for a workplace accident claim, we’ll:
- Investigate your accident to identify all parties responsible
- Gather evidence to strengthen your claim
- Determine your best legal options for maximizing your recovery
- Handle all administrative tasks and comply with all deadlines
- Provide you with ongoing legal guidance and support
- Keep you updated on the status of your case
Call us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced workplace accident attorney in Morgantown, West Virginia.
How Common Are Workplace Accidents in West Virginia?
Workplace accidents are more common than most people think. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there were 58 fatal workplace accidents in West Virginia in 2023, up from 48 workplace fatalities the year before.
In 2023, private industry employers reported 12,300 nonfatal workplace injuries. In addition, state and local governments reported 3,000 workplace injuries. From those statistics alone, that’s over 15,000 workplace injuries every year in the state, or an average of over 40 workplace injuries every day of the year.
How Much Is My Morgantown Workplace Accident Case Worth?
The value of workplace accident claims varies significantly from case to case. The best way to get an estimate of how much your claim is worth is to meet with a workplace accident lawyer.
Some of the factors that have the biggest impact on how much your claim is worth are:
- The type and severity of your injuries
- The amount of your current and future medical expenses
- Your income before the accident
- Whether or not you’re entitled to file a third-party personal injury lawsuit in addition to workers’ comp benefits
To learn more about how much your case is worth, schedule a free consultation with our team.
What Type of Claim Can I File After a Morgantown Workplace Accident?
After a workplace accident, there are two ways injured parties can recover: workers’ compensation and a personal injury lawsuit.
Under West Virginia law, almost all employers must have workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. Workers’ compensation compensates victims for medical expenses, physical therapy, and lost income because of a workplace accident.
Employees may file a workers’ compensation claim to recover these benefits after a workplace accident; however, they may not bring a personal injury claim against their employer in most cases.
That said, if a third party was responsible for your accident, you can bring a personal injury claim against the third party to recover damages.
Our team can review your case at no charge during your free consultation. Contact us today for more information.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Workplace Injury in West Virginia?
Almost all employees are entitled to recover workers’ compensation benefits after a workplace accident. These include medical expenses and partial or total disability benefits.
If the negligence of a third party caused your accident, you could be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages. This is called a third-party claim. Some common liable parties in third-party claims are:
- Property owners
- Drivers
- Vendors
- General contractors
- Manufacturers of equipment or parts
In a third-party claim, injured parties can seek compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages. Non-economic damages are not available in workers’ compensation claims but can be recovered in third-party claims. Some common examples of non-economic damages in West Virginia are:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Decreased quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder
Contact our personal injury law firm to learn more about the damages you’re entitled to after your Morgantown workplace accident.
Can I Recover Damages if I’m Partly at Fault for My Workplace Accident?
It is common for employees to be blamed for their workplace accidents. Employers, liable parties, and insurance companies are notorious for trying to blame victims after an accident. Because of this, one of the first questions we get from new clients is, Can I recover damages if I’m being blamed for my accident?
The good news is that workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. Employees can recover workers’ compensation benefits regardless of who was at fault for their accident.
For third-party claims, West Virginia’s modified comparative negligence law applies. If an employee is less than 51% at fault for the accident, the employee can still recover damages; however, the amount of recovery is reduced by the proportion of the employee’s fault.
For example, if you’re found to be 40% at fault for your accident, you can recover 60% of your damages in a third-party claim. If you’re 51% or more at fault for an accident, you’re not entitled to recover anything.
Don’t panic if you’re being blamed for your accident. This is a common tactic, and our firm is used to defending clients against such claims. However, you should contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to ensure your rights are protected.
Common Causes of Workplace Accidents in Morgantown, WV
Many different factors cause workplace accidents. Some of the most common causes of workplace accidents in West Virginia are:
- Inadequate employee training
- Inadequate employee supervision
- Unsafe work equipment
- Slip and fall accidents
- Negligent drivers
- Failure to follow safety regulations
- Unsafe equipment
- Lack of adequate safety equipment or fall protection
- Workplace violence
Our team will do a thorough investigation of your accident and determine all causes. Next, we’ll gather evidence and build a strong case to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
We Will Fight To Recover Compensation for All of Your Workplace Accident Injuries
Workplace injuries can vary significantly and range from minor to catastrophic. While your employer and insurance company might fight to minimize the value of your claim, our team will fight to get compensation for all of your losses.
Some of the most common workplace injuries are:
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Broken bones
- Back injuries
- Burns
- Head and neck injuries
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
Tragically, some workplace accidents are fatal. If your loved one died in a workplace accident, we can bring a wrongful death claim on their behalf. We’re here to help after any type of injury or illness sustained on the job; call us today to learn more.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Workplace Accident in Morgantown?
After an accident, employees should notify their employer of their accident as soon as possible. Employees then have six months to file a workers’ compensation claim.
If you have a third-party claim, it is brought as a type of personal injury claim. Under West Virginia’s statute of limitations, injured parties have two years from the date of their injury to file a lawsuit against the responsible party. After this period, victims have no right to recover damages.
After the statute of limitations has expired, any lawsuit you file will be dismissed. You also will have no leverage to demand a fair settlement from the responsible party.
Two years might seem like a long time, but it takes time to investigate an accident, gather evidence, determine all parties liable, and negotiate a fair settlement. There are also exceptions to these time limits in some cases.
To ensure your rights are protected, contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident.
Contact a Morgantown Workplace Accident Attorney Today
If you or a loved one were injured in a Morgantown workplace accident, Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers can help. Our team has a strong reputation in the community and a track record of success. We know how to get results for our clients and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts.
Our team is ready to get to work for you and will fight hard to get the best result possible. We’ll start with a free consultation to evaluate your case and create a personalized strategy to get the compensation you deserve. Contact our Morgantown workplace accident attorneys today.
