Injured at Work?
Our Chattanooga workers’ compensation lawyers are prepared to help you file a claim or appeal if the insurance company already denied your claim.
Working with an experienced law firm like Massey & Associates, P.C. helps protect your rights and may increase your chances of recovering all the compensation you need.
Our lawyers have helped numerous employees secure benefits, and we represent work injury victims at no upfront cost. An initial legal consultation is also free. We are ready to take your call 24/7.
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The Massey Promise
We promise to work aggressively for you with honesty and compassion.
Honest
We are always honest with our clients about their cases and how we can help them.
Selective
We choose cases that we believe in, so you know we are ready to fight for you.
Loyal
We are committed to pursuing the best results for our clients throughout the legal process.
Who is Covered by Workers’ Compensation in Tennessee?
Workers’ compensation covers most full and part-time employees in the state. Tennessee requires every employer with at least five employees to purchase coverage. State and local governments and those who employ domestic help or farm labor are exempt from this requirement.
Construction companies are required to carry coverage, even if they do not employe five people. However, construction companies can apply for an exemption from workers’ comp coverage.
The state requires every employer subject to the workers’ compensation law to display a document telling employees what to do after a work injury.
If you were injured at work and your employer is required to have coverage, our Chattanooga workers’ compensation lawyer is ready to help you pursue your claim. We can answer your legal questions during a free consultation.
What Workplace Injuries Qualify for Benefits?
If you were injured while engaged in work-related activity, and your employer is required to have workers’ compensation, you should be eligible for benefits.
Full or part-time employees can also seek compensation for illnesses caused by exposure to toxic substances and repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome.
You might be concerned about your eligibility if you were partially or fully at fault for the accident that caused your injury. However, workers’ compensation is no-fault coverage. You can obtain benefits regardless of who is at fault.
That said, if you were injured by engaging in a prank or horseplay, or after starting a fight with another employee, you are probably ineligible for coverage. However, if you were the victim of a fight or prank, you would likely still be eligible for coverage.
Unsure about your eligibility for benefits? Contact Massey & Associates, P.C. today.
Case Results
We make sure to hold an aggressive representation on all cases as well as communicate effectively and demonstrate a high level of professional ethics for the rights of our clients.
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$268,000,000
Product LiabilityThis was a national case covering hundreds of plaintiffs when an implanted heart defibrillator malfunctioned, injuring many and even killing some people.
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$2,000,000
Medical MalpracticeHusband of a young mother who died due to the failure to diagnose a pulmonary embolism
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1,311,750
Motor Vehicle AccidentBoy injured in a jet ski accident
“If anyone in Chattanooga needs an attorney, Mr. Massey is your man”
Tonda H.
What Benefits Can I Receive for My Workplace Injury?
Our Chattanooga workers’ compensation lawyers help work injury victims secure coverage for their medical care and lost wages. The insurance company will pay for medical care from your authorized treating physician for as long as he or she deems it necessary.
This may include emergency care, but only if there is an immediate need for care that is reasonable and necessary. You can also seek reimbursement for mileage if you must travel more than 15 miles in one direction for care.
Work injury victims can also seek compensation for disability caused by the accident, including:
Temporary Disability
This includes temporary partial disability benefits and temporary total disability benefits. These are for workers who are temporarily unable to work or unable to work in the same capacity as before the injury.
- Temporary partial disability: These are for workers who can return to the job on light duty. For instance, your doctor may restrict the number of hours you can work or the type of work you can perform. Temporary partial disability benefits are 66 and two-thirds of the difference between your average weekly wage and your gross light duty wages.
- Temporary total disability: These are for employees who cannot work at all during their recovery. These start on your eighth day of disability. If you are disabled for 14 days or more, you can receive benefits for those first eight days of disability. These benefits are typically two-thirds of the average wage you earned during the prior 52 weeks.
Permanent Disability
The two types of permanent disability benefits are permanent partial and permanent total:
- Permanent partial disability: This is for workers who have a permanent impairment that limits their ability to work. These benefits are worth 66 and two-thirds percent of your average weekly wage.
- Permanent total disability: This is for workers are totally disabled and will not be able to return to any job on the open market.
Death Benefits
If you lost a loved one due to a workplace injury, you may be eligible for death benefits under Tennessee’s workers’ compensation system.
- Wage replacement: If the worker had no dependents, the deceased’s estate will receive $20,000. If there is a surviving spouse or dependent children, they will receive 66 and two-thirds percent of the worker’s average weekly wage.
- Burial costs: If the fatal injury occurred on May 19, 2017, or later, the benefit is $10,000. The benefit for any fatal injuries before that date is $7,500.
Injured?
Contact Massey & Associates, P.C.
You do not need to feel intimidated by the insurance company. The law gives you the right to seek compensation for damages after an injury caused by another’s negligence. The law also allows you to hire an experienced lawyer to help level the legal playing field and seek a favorable result.
Massey & Associates, P.C. has many years of experience securing justice and compensation for the injured in the Tampa area. There are no fees unless we win your case, either through a settlement or in the courtroom.
Call (423) 396-0720 to get legal help today..
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Can Independent Contractors Get Workers’ Comp Benefits?
No, independent contractors cannot obtain workers’ compensation benefits. This insurance is reserved for employees.
Sole proprietors and partners usually cannot obtain coverage, unless the contractor is a Construction Services Provider.
However, sometimes independent contractors have been misclassified and they should be employees. For instance, if an employer directs the work of an independent contractor, this may constitute and employer/employee relationship.
What if I Was Injured Away From Work?
Workers’ compensation coverage often extends beyond the physical boundaries of your usual workplace. If you were performing job-related activities, you might still be covered.
These are some off-site scenarios where coverage may still apply:
- Traveling for Work: If you were on a work-related trip or performing work tasks when you became injured, you may be covered.
- Falling on Company Steps: Accidents on company property, even outside the conventional workspace, can qualify for compensation.
- Injured at a Construction Site: Even if working offsite, injuries at a construction site or any location where you perform work duties should fall under workers’ compensation.
If you were injured while offsite and think you should be covered, but your employer has denied coverage, contact Massey & Associates, P.C. today. Our Chattanooga workers’ compensation lawyers are prepared to help you and there are no upfront costs.
Representing the People of Tennessee and Georgia
Massey & Associates consistently earns repeat business and referrals due to our success. We often win cases other attorneys deemed hopeless, turning them into victories for our clients.
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Gary Massey
Read Bio: Gary MasseyGary Massey, Jr., is a well-known courtroom advocate practicing law in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Gary is a native of Tennessee who began practicing law in 1998. He graduated from Cumberland School of Law where he was ranked in the top 3% of his class and was an editor of the Cumberland Law Review.
How Do I Report My Injury?
Tell your supervisor right away. Once your report your injury, your employer is obligated to help you get all the medical care you need.
State law says you must report your accident within 15 days, or within 15 days from when you discover a work-related illness. Once notified, your employer has one working day to complete the First Report of Injury (Form C-20). Your employer will need specific details about the incident to accurately fill out the report, including:
- Date and time of the accident or onset of your illness
- Where you were when the accident happened or what you were doing that contributed to your illness
- Description of the incident or nature of your illness
- Witnesses who saw the accident
- What you did when the accident happened? Seek first aid? Notify a coworker or anyone else?
Can I Go to My Usual Doctor for Medical Care?
No, you must choose from a panel of three physicians selected by your employer. The doctor you choose is known as an Authorized Treating Physician (ATP). The Employee’s Choice of Physician Form (Form C-42) documents your choice.
My Claim Was Denied – What Should I Do Now?
Your lawyer can file an appeal:
- If your employer or their insurance company deny medical care, you or your lawyer have the right to file for a utilization review.
- If your claim is denied or you think you are entitled to more compensation, you can file for a hearing in the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims.
- If you disagree with the decision of the court, you can appeal to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board or even the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Our Chattanooga workers’ compensation lawyers are prepared to manage every step of your appeal. We know how to gather the evidence we need to make a compelling case. We understand that this process feels daunting, but you can rest assured that we can manage every step, fighting for your best interests at every turn.
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- No upfront cost if we handle your case.
- Our team has seasoned, dependable lawyers with a history of delivering results.
- MILLIONS recovered for our clients.
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Workplace accidents can range in severity from minor bumps and bruises to acute and severe injuries that require immediate and long-term medical care. Some of the most common work accidents include:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Auto accidents
- Runaway trailers
- Exposure to hazardous conditions and toxins
- Caught in between accidents
- Heavy machinery accidents
- Getting hit by falling objects
- Trench collapses
- Fires
- Explosions
- Electrocutions
- Equipment malfunctions
- Scaffold collapses
- Lifting accidents
Job-related accidents can happen in almost any working environment, from offices and warehouses to construction sites and hospitals. Regardless of the working environment, any of these accidents can result in severe injury and time spent away from work.
A workplace accident can lead to an immediate injury such as a broken bone or severe laceration. Some workers may suffer an injury or develop a medical condition gradually, such as by engaging in repetitive motions.
Any worker who has been injured in a workplace accident should contact a Chattanooga workers’ compensation lawyer to determine what rights and benefits they are entitled to under the law.
Our firm helps victims of many workplace injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Repetitive stress injuries including carpal tunnel
- Rotator cuff tears
- Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
- Loss of limb
- Lumbar and cervical back injuries like a herniated disc
- And more
Call Your Chattanooga Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Today
If you were injured at work in Chattanooga or the surrounding area, contacting a lawyer is a critical step in protecting your rights. Our Chattanooga workers’ compensation lawyers have the resources and legal know-how to pursue full compensation for medical costs and lost wages, and we charge no upfront fees.
Our office is conveniently located just a few minutes away from the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport.
Learn more about your options after a workplace injury: (423) 396-0720.