Every day, hardworking Tennesseans put their lives on the line in high-risk occupations to provide for their families and keep our economy running. From construction workers and farmers to healthcare and warehouse employees, these jobs are essential but come with inherent dangers that can lead to serious injuries or even death. If you or a loved one was hurt while working in one of these occupations, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.
A Knoxville workers’ compensation lawyer can help you navigate the claims process, ensure you receive the benefits you deserve, and fight for your rights if your claim is unfairly denied or delayed.
Construction
Construction sites combine multiple hazards that create dangerous working conditions. Workers regularly navigate unstable surfaces at heights while using power tools and heavy equipment. Live electrical work, trenching, and demolition activities compound these risks. Even with proper safety equipment, construction workers face daily exposure to power tool accidents, falling objects, and collapse hazards.
Transportation and Warehousing
In the transportation and warehousing industry, workers experience a hazardous combination of heavy machinery and fast-paced work environments. For example, long-haul truck drivers face long periods of isolation on the roads, difficult weather conditions, and the constant risk of traffic accidents.
Inside warehouses, workers operate forklifts and heavy equipment in tight spaces while managing strict delivery schedules. Loading docks present particularly dangerous conditions where vehicles, machinery, and workers converge under time pressure. All of these conditions can lead to serious accidents and injuries.
Agriculture and Forestry
Workers in the agricultural sector can face serious on-the-job risks. Farm equipment like tractors, augers, and heavy machinery can cause severe injuries, especially if not operated properly. Handling livestock, working around toxic pesticides and fertilizers, and spending long hours in extreme weather conditions can also lead to accidents and long-term health issues.
Forestry workers are also at a high risk of injury and death. Operating chainsaws and heavy equipment, handling falling trees and branches, and traversing difficult terrain make this work treacherous. Forestry employees often work in remote locations far from immediate emergency assistance, which compounds the dangers.
Healthcare
While healthcare workers dedicate their lives to healing others, they face unique on-the-job risks themselves. Nurses, aides, orderlies, and other staff must regularly lift and move patients, putting them at high risk for back, neck, and shoulder injuries. Needle sticks, exposure to contagious illnesses, and violent patients create additional dangers.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing plants combine fast-moving automated machinery, dangerous equipment, toxic substances, repetitive motions, and loud noise. For example, assembly line workers can get struck by or caught in equipment. Exposure to dangerous chemicals and repetitive strain can cause occupational illnesses.
Seeking Compensation After a Work Injury in Tennessee
If you suffered an injury while working in one of these high-risk occupations, you are entitled to financial compensation. Tennessee law requires most employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance to protect injured workers. This coverage provides medical benefits, temporary wage replacement, and even long-term disability payments when you are hurt on the job.
To pursue a workers’ compensation claim, you must report your injury to your employer as soon as possible and seek authorized medical treatment. Then, your employer is required to file a claim with their insurer. It can be challenging to recover the benefits that you deserve, so consider consulting with an attorney who focuses on these cases.
A Tennessee workers’ comp lawyer can guide you through the claims process, prepare your case with strong evidence, and fight for fair benefits after a work-related injury. Schedule a legal consultation with The Lawyers of Brown & Roberto as soon as possible to explore your options and begin your journey to compensation.