Charlotte is a busy city surrounded by sprawling suburban neighborhoods, and recycling and waste management services are crucial to the community. Those working in this sector face multiple risks on the job, and when injuries or illnesses occur, they need to know their legal options. A Charlotte recycling and waste management work injury lawyer will be an invaluable asset for this type of case.
The attorneys at Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler have years of experience representing injured workers in all industries in Charlotte and surrounding areas of North Carolina. We know the risks you face while working in recycling and waste management, and that you are likely to have many questions in the aftermath of any work-related injury.
Our team provides client-focused legal counsel, and you can rely on us to guide you through filing your claim for workers’ compensation and a personal injury case if you have grounds to file one. Our goal is to help you recover maximum workers’ compensation benefits after an injury at work, and we are confident we can guide you to a positive outcome in your case. It’s important to reach out to legal counsel you trust as quickly as possible after your injury at work.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the injury rate for workers in the recycling and waste management sector in 2023 was 4.3 cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers. The total recordable illness rate for workers handling solid waste collection was 13.8 per 100 full-time equivalent workers, and the illness rate for landfill workers was 4.9 per 100 full-time equivalent workers.
Workers in the waste management sector face not only the risk of injury from repetitive stress, overexertion, vehicle accidents, and slip and fall accidents but also a significant risk of illness due to the various dangerous substances they might encounter on the job. If you are hurt while working or if you are diagnosed with an illness that you believe you contracted from work, you are likely eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim through your employer.
You will likely be required to undergo a medical evaluation to determine the serious nature of your injury or illness. During this functional capacity evaluation, the workers’ compensation doctor will determine the overall serious nature of your injury and assign a disability rating. This rating will determine how much you can receive in benefits.
A successful workers’ compensation claim in Charlotte can potentially provide full coverage of all medical expenses related to your injury or illness, and you can also receive disability benefits during the time you cannot work because of your injury. Whether you were hurt at Waste Connections, the Foxhole Recycling Center, or while working for any other employer in the sector, it’s vital to consult a Charlotte Recycling and Waste Management Work Injury attorney who can help you pursue benefits.
Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler can provide compassionate legal counsel in the aftermath of your work-related injury or illness. Reach out to our firm at your first opportunity to learn more about the legal services we provide, and we will explain how we can help you recover.
A: No, you do not need to prove fault for a workers’ compensation case in Charlotte. Workers’ compensation insurance functions on a no-fault basis, so it is possible for a worker to have caused their own injury and still qualify for benefits. However, some factors can disqualify such a worker from benefits. For example, if they injured themselves because they were working while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they will likely be disqualified.
A: How much you can get in workers’ comp benefits typically depends on the overall serious nature of your injury and your remaining functional capacity to work following the injury. A successful workers’ compensation case will typically yield full medical expense coverage as well as ongoing disability benefits for the time you cannot work following your injury. An attorney can help to maximize your benefits.
A: Generally, you cannot sue your employer for a workplace injury in Charlotte if they have purchased a workers’ comp insurance policy. This insurance provides financial compensation to the injured worker while shielding the employer from liability. You may, however, have grounds to file a third-party personal injury suit if anyone outside of your work caused your injury. Consult an attorney so they can determine the full scope of your legal options.
A: You need to hire a Charlotte recycling and waste management work injury lawyer to have the greatest chance of success with your case. Even if filing your claim for workers’ compensation appears straightforward at first, the reality is that many complications could arise that you will not know how to resolve on your own. You are more likely to succeed with your case and more likely to maximize your benefits with an attorney representing you.
A: The cost of hiring a Charlotte recycling and waste management work injury lawyer depends on the final value of your case if you hire Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler to represent you. We take these cases on contingency, meaning our firm only charges our client a fee if we win the case, and our fee is a percentage of the total amount recovered. There is no risk of paying more for legal counsel than you win in compensation for your damages.
The aftermath of any injury at work can be difficult to navigate on your own, and you could encounter various issues that complicate your recovery. The team at Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler has years of proven experience representing injured clients in their workplace injury cases, and we are ready to put this experience to work for you. Contact us today and schedule your free consultation with a Charlotte recycling and waste management work injury attorney.