Many workers who are injured on the job need to file a lawsuit for workplace injuries at a much later date when the accident occurred. This can happen for a variety of reasons but, it is especially the case with repetitive stress injuries, mental and emotional injuries, and certain diseases. Time limits apply to claims of worker-related injuries, so it is crucial to communicate with a personal injury attorney at the first opportunity available to protect your rights, say experienced accident lawyers in Shenandoah Virginia.
Some lawsuits for worker’s injuries stop on a clear date when the injury occurred. For example, an employee hit by a forklift can tie the injury with a specific instance on a specific date, although it is possible that other injuries may occur after that date. In some workplace injury claims, the date of injury cannot be as specific as for a worker hit by a forklift. For example, a repetitive (cumulative) stress injury as occurs with carpal tunnel syndrome occurs slowly as time passes, say reputable accident lawyers in Shenandoah Virginia.
The question that arises is when to start counting for the time limit. As there is no accident date to indicate it, other different criteria become important. In many cases involving repetitive stress injuries, time can be scheduled to start ticking when the injured employee due to the injury takes the day off for the first time, first visit the doctor for the injury, or account for the first time of the injury. These are the general criteria. The details of a specific case are of great importance in determining the application of the time limit so it is vital to consult with one of the most experienced accident lawyers in Shenandoah Virginia as soon as possible.
It is also important for injured workers who notify their employer of their injury as soon as possible . For a traumatic injury (immediate type), this must happen as soon as this occurs. For injuries that can come slowly as time passes, the employer’s notification should happen as soon as the employee becomes aware of the injury, visits the doctor, or takes the day off. Verbal communication is usually sufficient, but written notification is always better. For example, an email explaining that the injury occurred or telling the supervisor that you suffered the injury are both valid to establish that the notification was given, although, in many cases, an email is better because it establishes a written record.
Notification is a problem apart from when the injury happened, says one of the most reputable accident lawyers in Shenandoah Virginia. The notification is expected as soon as possible after the injury and has separate expectations of time. Many occupational injury insurance plans require the employee to notify the employer of the injury within 24 hours of its occurrence. Regardless of when the notice takes place, you have two years to file a claim from the date of the incident and you can take the claim for any damage you have suffered as a result of the injury.