When you are receiving workers’ compensation benefits, employers will sometimes try to force you back to work before you have fully recovered. If are being pressured to return to work, you need a strong advocate to help you. Call the experienced Alabama work injury lawyers for a free and confidential case evaluation.
Every year, a significant number of workers in the state of Alabama are injured while working and they are usually forced to quit their jobs and find other sources of income or take an extended leave from work. Most of the injuries that workers sustain on the job are fatal meaning they result in deaths that leave many families without breadwinners.
Montgomery is the state’s capital and the second most inhabited city in Alabama. This makes it one of the most common places where work accidents happen. If you are among the many people in the city who have suffered a job-related injury, we advise you to talk to our professional Alabama workers’ compensation attorneys at The Vance Law Firm. We are here to help you get justice and compensation for the injuries you sustained while on the job and we serve all surrounding counties in Alabama.
Alabama Workers’ Compensation Basics
Alabama’s workers’ compensation system is a no-fault framework. You generally do not need to prove that your employer acted negligently to receive benefits. The system is structured to provide medical care and wage replacement when an employee is hurt while performing job duties.
Most employees of companies with five or more employees are covered under the Alabama Workers’ Compensation Law. This includes full-time, part-time, and many temporary workers.
Some categories of workers may fall outside the workers’ compensation system, such as certain farm workers, domestic workers, independent contractors, and some corporate officers. The specific nature of the employment relationship can determine whether coverage applies.
Workers’ compensation is generally the exclusive remedy injured employees have against their employers for job-related injuries. This means you typically cannot file a separate negligence lawsuit against your employer for the same incident.
However, if a third party contributed to the accident, additional claims may still be possible. Examples include dangerous equipment, negligent contractors, or unsafe conditions controlled by outside parties.
What are Common Causes of Workplace Injuries?
Regardless of where you work, your profession or the industry you belong to, you face certain risks while on the job. For instance, despite working in a typical office space, you face the risk of suffering from certain illnesses such as carpal tunnel syndrome or experiencing other issues like workplace violence. Alternatively, you may work in an industry that is well-known for its dangers and risks like construction.
Our professional Alabama work injury lawyers handle workplace accidents claims involving:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Most jobs and industries put employees in and around numerous types of automobiles like trains, construction vehicles and equipment, commercial trucks, delivery vans, cars, and many others. If you sustain any injuries due to a workplace motor vehicle accident, you may have multiple options to explore.
Machinery Accidents
You may work with dangerous equipment or machinery in your workplace. If you work with any form of special machinery or equipment, it’s imperative that you get proper training on proper use, repair, and maintenance. If any person in your workplace lacks the relevant knowledge to operate the machines and equipment in and around, you face the risk of sustaining serious injuries such as being crushed, entangled or worse.
Construction Accidents
Whether you work in a large-scale commercial construction or residential construction, you are definitely at risk of being injured. You work at heights, lift heavy loads, handle potentially hazardous materials, deal with power tools and equipment, work around moving equipment, and complete other tasks in a potentially risky environment. If other people in your workplace are not careful, you may get injured.
Farm Accidents
Alabama is also famous for its thriving farming industry. Although farming has become highly technological, there are still many tasks that are done manually. While working on a farm, you may find yourself in and around dangerous machines, large farm equipment, motor vehicles, and other equipment. If you are injured while working on a farm, it’s very important that you seek legal help from the work injury attorneys at The Vance Law Firm. This is because most workers in this industry are not covered by workers’ compensation insurance and this makes them more vulnerable to being denied rightful compensation.
Industrial Accidents
We regularly handle workplace accidents in industries within and around Montgomery. Unfortunately, industrial accidents are usually the worst forms of workplace accidents we encounter as they include cases such as exposure to hazardous material, explosions, and others. These accidents may cause disability, disfigurement, and even death. If you have been or a person you know was killed in an industrial accident in Alabama, do not hesitate to contact us for legal help with justice and compensation.
What are Common Injuries Caused at Work?
Currently, we represent employees suffering from numerous types of work injuries and occupational illnesses. Some of the most common types of work-related injuries and health conditions we deal with include:
- Hearing and vision loss
- Hand-arm vibration syndrome
- Gunshot wounds
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Nerve damage and paralysis
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back and Neck injuries, like herniated discs
- Concussions and moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Amputations
- Crush injuries
- Bone fractures
- Muscle or tendon strains
- Ligament sprains
- Contusions, abrasions, and Lacerations.
Regardless of the type or degree of your work injury or medical condition, you should talk to one of our attorneys in order to know your rights. Depending on the nature of your case, you may have the right to seek compensation via a 3rd party liability claim or request workers’ compensation benefits. In either scenario, the type and degree of work injury or medical condition that prevents you from working effectively are considered when determining the amount of compensation you will get. Our attorneys have a long-standing relationship with healthcare providers in the area that is key in proving the authenticity of your disability, medical condition or work injuries for higher chances of compensation.
What Workers’ Compensation Benefits Can Provide
If you are injured while working in the Montgomery area, workers’ compensation benefits may include:
Medical Treatment
According to the Alabama Department of Labor’s Guide to Benefits and Claims Filing, workers’ compensation covers doctor visits, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, prescriptions, and any other treatment considered medically necessary during the disability.
Wage-Replacement Benefits
The Alabama Department of Workforce provides wage replacement at 66 and two-thirds percent of your average weekly wage, subject to state minimums and maximums. Benefits may include temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, permanent partial disability, or permanent total disability, depending on the severity of the injury and work restrictions.
Vocational Rehabilitation
If an injury prevents you from returning to your prior job, vocational services may be available. These can include retraining, job-placement assistance, or vocational counseling. This support is especially important in the Montgomery region, where manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics roles may require physical duties that injured workers can no longer perform.
Death Benefits
When a workplace accident is fatal, dependents may qualify for funeral expenses and wage-support benefits. Alabama law outlines these benefits within the workers’ compensation system to assist families during difficult circumstances.
Local Work Injury Risks in the Montgomery Area
Although specific workplace incidents vary from year to year, the Montgomery area includes several industries where injuries are more likely to occur. Workers regularly perform tasks that involve physical labor, heavy equipment, or repetitive motion. Common risk categories in the region include:
- Manufacturing jobs involving machinery, assembly lines, and materials handling
- Road work, construction, and infrastructure maintenance throughout Montgomery County
- Warehouse and distribution facilities where lifting and loading often occur
- Healthcare jobs involving patient lifting, emergency response, and equipment use
- Public-sector and utilities work involving outdoor tasks, sanitation, field operations, or electrical infrastructure
Statewide transportation data shows that roadway work zones continue to create hazards for both employees and drivers. The Alabama Department of Transportation reported 527 work-zone injury crashes statewide in 2024. With several roadway projects taking place in and around Montgomery each year, employees working in these areas face elevated risks.
What You Should Do After Being Injured at Work
If you are injured on the job in Montgomery or the surrounding River Region, take these steps to protect your rights:
1. Report the injury as soon as possible.
Alabama law requires timely notice to your employer. Report the injury to your supervisor or HR department immediately. Delay in reporting can affect your ability to receive benefits.
2. Get medical treatment from an approved provider.
Employers typically select authorized physicians for treatment. Be sure to attend all appointments, follow the recommended treatment plan, and document all medical visits and work restrictions.
3. Ensure an internal accident report is completed.
Request a copy of the accident report for your records. This report should document the nature of the accident, the time, the location, and the tasks you were performing.
4. Keep organized records.
Save medical records, imaging results, therapy notes, prescriptions, work restrictions, wage information, and any communication with your employer or insurer.
5. Contact a lawyer if you encounter delays, denials, or confusion.
Workers’ compensation laws can be complex. If you face challenges, if a third-party claim may apply, or if you simply want guidance, legal support can help you navigate the process.
Who Is Liable For Workplace Accidents?
When you get injured while on the job, it’s paramount that you talk with our professional work injuries attorneys to find out who is to blame for your injuries and who is liable to compensate you for your injuries.
Employer Liability
When another party or individual like a manager, supervisor or co-worker who is employed by the same company causes the accident that is responsible for your injuries, then your employer is liable. Based on the circumstances under which the accident occurred, your employer may choose to compensate you using either employees’ compensation insurance or any other relevant insurance cover. If you qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, you may be unable to sue your employer for your injuries. However, if you don’t have workers’ compensation benefits, you may be able to sue your employer and get compensation.
3rd Party Liability
Individuals who are not employed by your company may also cause workplace accidents. For instance, you may be injured by an employee of another company or subcontractor who is working on the same site. You may also be injured by a service provider or vendor who is contracted by your employer. Alternatively, a retailer or manufacturer may have sold defective materials or equipment to your company caused by the accident that injured you. Another increasingly common case is where disgruntled employees cause commotion or violence in your workplace leading to an accident. All these individuals are parties that are not employed by your company. Such cases usually translate to 3rd party liability claims. Regardless of whether you qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, you may have the right to sue the 3rd party responsible for your injuries to get compensation.
Is a 3rd Party Liability Claim the Same as Workers’ Compensation?
When considering your options after being injured at work, it’s important that you understand the difference between a 3rd party liability claim and a workers’ compensation claim.
Workers’ compensation is insurance coverage that is bought by an employer and covers medical expenses and partial earnings for employees who suffer workplace injuries or occupational illnesses while on the job. A workers’ compensation claim is not a lawsuit. It’s simply an insurance claim. You and your employer are supposed to request your policy provider to compensate you through set administrative processes.
A 3rd party claim is a personal injury lawsuit that’s filed against the person or party responsible for your injuries. With this claim, you are required to sue one or more defendants. You also need an attorney who will represent you in court and handle various aspects of the suit such as case discovery, trial preparation, and settlement negotiation.
Filing A 3rd Party Liability Claim
If you talk to one of our work injury lawyers and it’s decided that you qualify for a 3rd party liability claim, then the next step is filing the lawsuit and pursuing the case in court. However, a crucial factor you will need to consider is how much time you have to pursue a claim for compensation.
In Alabama, 3rd party claims involving workplace accidents must be filed within 2 years from the date of the accident. So, you only have 2 years from the day you were injured to file a lawsuit.
In the case of an occupational illness or medical condition, you have 2 years from the date you were diagnosed by a doctor. However, these cases are not always limited by this time-frame. So, if you suffered a medical condition or illness due to working in a specific job or environment, contact one of our work injury attorneys right away!
What Compensation Can I Get for a Work Injury?
Where there is proof that a 3rd party, or a party other than your employer, is responsible for your work injuries, the Alabama workers’ compensation lawyers at The Vance Law Firm are here to help you get the compensation you deserve. We will do our best to ensure that you are fully compensated for:
- Loss of Quality of Life
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Mental anguish
- Physical pain
- Loss of earning potential
- Medical costs
Have You Been Pressured To Go Back To Work?
Some of the issues that we assist our workers’ compensation clients with include:
Return to Work
If your employer wants you to return to work and you do not believe you have recovered fully, you should first speak with an attorney to discuss your options so that you do not return to work too soon and cause further injury to yourself!
Second Opinions
Although you will initially meet with a doctor who is approved by your employer, there are certain workers’ compensation rules that allow you to get a second opinion.
Third-Party Claims
To make sure that you receive all of the compensation you are eligible for, we carefully examine whether there are potential third-party claims in your case.
Subrogation
If your employer tells you that you are required to repay their workers’ compensation fund for the benefits you received, we can help you.
Medical Record Disputes
We have experience resolving issues where what your doctor told you is different from what appears in your medical records.
All of our services are backed by The V Guarantee — we work hard to get you every dollar that you deserve and will not charge you a fee unless we obtain a recovery for you.
Contact an Alabama Work Injury Lawyer Today
We will fight for you and help you understand your workers’ compensation rights, schedule a free initial consultation with our Alabama work injury lawyers today. Contact The Vance Law Firm, by calling 334-333-3333 or by filling out our online contact form.
