Kannapolis Firefighter Injury Lawyer

Kannapolis Firefighter Injury Attorney

Firefighters throughout the Kannapolis area provide essential life-saving services to the local community. There are four main fire stations operated by the Kannapolis Fire Department, including Kannapolis Fire Station 1 on Firehouse Drive and the Kannapolis Fire Department Headquarters located on Laureate Way. If you are hurt while working as a firefighter, a Kannapolis firefighter injury lawyer is the ideal resource to consult.

Representing Injured Firefighters in Kannapolis, NC

The attorneys at Ayers, Ayers & Dressler have extensive experience helping clients in Kannapolis and the surrounding communities of North Carolina with all types of work injury claims. Navigating the workers’ compensation claim filing process and/or building a personal injury case after an injury at work can be challenging, and firefighters have one of the most inherently dangerous jobs in the United States.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reported an estimated 63,175 firefighter injuries in 2023, and 18,875 of these injuries happened on active firegrounds. It’s possible for firefighters to suffer all types of severe injuries when fighting active fires, and they can also sustain injuries in vehicle accidents, during required training exercises, and may develop occupational diseases that manifest gradually over time.

When you hire a firefighter injury lawyer at Ayers, Ayers & Dressler to represent you, we can immediately begin gathering evidence to prove that your injury or illness is work-related and prepare you for filing your workers’ compensation claim. We can explain what to expect during this process and help you resolve any disputes you encounter with your employer and/or their insurance carrier. Our goal for every client is maximum recovery.

Understanding Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Kannapolis

North Carolina law requires almost every employer in the state to have workers’ compensation insurance, and this insurance applies to regular workers who sustain injuries or develop illnesses while performing their job duties.

Some of the most commonly reported injuries and illnesses among firefighters in Kannapolis and the surrounding areas of North Carolina include:

• Severe burns from active flames and hot surfaces
• Traumatic injuries, including broken bones, head injuries, and crushing injuries
• Injuries from falls
• Lacerations and deep cuts
• Sprains, strains, and repetitive stress injuries
• Chronic respiratory illness and similar conditions from smoke inhalation
• Cancers caused by exposure to toxic substances in turnout gear
• Injuries from vehicle accidents

As long as your injury occurs on the job or as a direct result of performing your job duties, you will likely qualify to file a workers’ compensation claim in Kannapolis. Your firefighter injury lawyer can guide you through the claim-filing process and explain the steps you must take to recover compensation.

When you are hurt at work, you should seek medical treatment right away, and your employer is required to document the injury in an incident report. They will provide you with the materials you will need to file your workers’ compensation claim with their insurance carrier. As part of the claim-filing process, most insurers will require claimants to undergo functional capacity assessments from workers’ compensation physicians they have approved.

You can see any available doctor in an emergency, but you will need to have a functional capacity assessment done by a local doctor approved by your employer’s insurance carrier. The doctor will assess the severity of your injury and the scope of long-term or permanent harm it has caused to assign you a disability rating. This rating will then determine how much you can receive in workers’ compensation benefits.

A successful workers’ compensation claim in North Carolina will typically yield full medical expense coverage for all treatment costs related to the claimant’s injury, including the cost of any long-term medical care they may need for a serious injury. Additionally, the claimant can receive disability benefits for the time they are unable to work after they recover.

Further Recovery Options After a Firefighting Injury in Kannapolis

Depending on how your injury happened, you may have multiple options for recovering compensation. For example, if a specific party causes an injury while you are working, you could have grounds to file a personal injury claim. If you have grounds to file a third-party personal injury case, it will be crucial to hire a firefighter injury lawyer with proven experience handling these cases if you want to maximize your chance of success.

A successful personal injury case in Kannapolis may yield compensation for any damages that you cannot recover through a workers’ compensation claim, such as compensation for your pain and suffering. If you are unsure whether you are eligible to file such a case, it is crucial to consult a Kannapolis firefighter injury lawyer at Ayers, Ayers & Dressler right away.

The NFPA reported 62 fatal firefighter injuries in the United States during 2024, and if a family member died while working as a firefighter in Kannapolis, you could have grounds to claim workers’ compensation death benefits and/or file a wrongful death claim against whoever caused their fatal injury. The team at Ayers, Ayers & Dressler can provide compassionate legal counsel for this difficult case in Kannapolis.

What to Expect From Your Kannapolis Firefighter Injury Lawyer

The right attorney can have a profound positive influence on the outcome of your recovery efforts following a work-related injury in Kannapolis. Firefighters are not only able to file workers’ compensation claims if they are hurt on the job, but they may also qualify to claim other special benefits that can greatly enhance their overall recovery.

When you choose Ayers, Ayers & Dressler to represent you, you will have a faithful legal advocate ready to assist you with all stages of your recovery efforts. Our team has helped many injured workers in Kannapolis navigate the workers’ compensation claim filing process and build cohesive personal injury cases aimed at securing maximum compensation. We’re ready to apply this experience to your firefighter injury case.

You have limited time to claim workers’ compensation benefits or file an injury claim if you have been hurt while working as a firefighter. The aftermath of your injury can be confusing, and we are ready to help you make sense of your situation. If you are ready to hire a firefighter injury lawyer to help with your case, contact us today and schedule your free consultation with an experienced Kannapolis firefighter injury lawyer you trust.