Have you suffered from a personal injury? Review this checklist to ensure you've taken all the necessary first steps

• Write down anything and everything about the accident: This may include information about the actual accident, people, places or things involved, your injuries, any damages or losses as a result of the accident (including wages), diagrams, and any other information pertinent to the accident. Be sure to exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, driver's license numbers, insurance companies and policy numbers with the other driver.
  


• Take notes on your thoughts, feelings, and conversations immediately after the accident: Jotting down these things immediately after the accident will be extremely helpful in the long run when trying to put together the facts of the case. Additionally, recording these immediate reactions and things you hear others say regarding the accident will prevent external factors from altering your recollection of the accident.
  


• Gather all the evidence: Document and take pictures of your injuries, and take pictures of the scene of the accident, as well. This serves as concrete evidence, and therefore cannot be disputed. Additionally, revisit the scene within a day or two of the accident. Immediately following the accident things tend to be hectic and important pieces of evidence may very well be overlooked. By revisiting the scene you may come across crucial evidence.

• Locate witnesses: Locating and getting the contact information of witnesses at the scene is imperative and may help your case. These witnesses may confirm your statements as well as provide additional information in your favor that you may have been unaware of. However, make sure these witnesses are contacted very shortly after the accident. Witnesses, too, may forget crucial information regarding the accident, or their memories may be altered. Contacting these people immediately will ensure they give you an accurate, unbiased account of the accident.
  

For more information regarding personal injury, please visit http://www.nolo.com/article.cfm/pg/1/objectId/A91ED912-D240-4BED-9C05E4DF0D1B9365/catId/8FA0132B-91C2-4773-828573F2D3D58DFA/104/199/215/ART/

Common Workplace Injuries

Have you ever been hurt on the job? Even a small injury could make you eligible for Workers' Compensation. Below is a list of the most common workplace injuries that are often overlooked.

• Lifting Injuries: Heavy lifting is one of the most common workplace injuries. These often result in musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), which is defined by the U.S. Department of Labor as an injury or disorder of the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage or spial discs, and tend to keep you out of work longer than other workplace injuries. These are often characterized by back or muscle pain which make simple movements very difficult. Heavy lifting is common and acceptable in the workplace, as it is not the heavy lifting that causes the injury. Rather, the injury is caused by improper lifting techniques.



• Use of Heavy Equipment: Injuries involving heavy equipment is much more applicable to those in the construction and manufacturing fields, as these workers use heavy machinery to work more efficiently. Injuries involving heavy equipment are often the result of an accident or negligence. Regardless, one is still eligible for workers' compensation benefits.



• Automobile Accidents: Those who use a vehicle for work is at risk for an automobile accident. These people can include salesmen, delivery people, and anyone else driving a car for a work-related purpose. Workers' compensation benefits are available to anyone who qualifies, regardless of who was at fault in the car accident.



• Falls From Heights: Falling at work is one of the most common workplace injuries. Falling at work often results in injuries such as sprains, pulls, tears, fractures, and breaks. These injuries often result in time lost from work. Therefore, those who suffer from a fall at work are entitled to workers' compensation benefits during the time they are out of work.

Please be aware that an injury or illness is considered work-related if something in the workplace caused or contributed to the condition, or if a pre-existing condition was aggravated. To avoid a workplace injury, be sure to know of the risks in the workplace. For example, be aware of any machinery that can burn you, cut you, etc. Knowing how to properly utilize the machinery will decrease the likelihood of being hurt by the machine. Also, do not over-exert yourself. Excessive lifting, for example, not only can cause back strains, but it can also lead to overexertion of heart and lung muscles. Recognize when it is too much and have someone assist you. For more tips on staying safe and avoiding workplace injury, please see http://www.injuryboard.com/help-center/articles/how-to-stay-safe-and-avoid-workplace-injury.aspx

To request more information regarding your case, please contact Ladas & Ladas, P.C. at 1-800-339-3332

Injured on the job? Find out what to do and the benefits of Workers' Compensation

Workers' compensation is essentially a negotiation between an employee and an employer. Rather than an employee suing their employer if they are hurt or get sick on the job, the employee is entitled to workers' compensation insurance. As the employee under workers' comp, you are entitled to:

• medical care (paid for by your employer);



• temporary disability benefits (payments due to lost wages because of your injury or illness);



• permanent disability benefits (payments made if you never completely recover);



• vocational rehabilitation (job placement counseling and retraining if you are unable to return to your job); and



• death benefits (payments to your spouse, children, or other dependents if you die from a work-related injury or illness).

Unlike other types of insurance, workers' comp does not require you to prove your injury or illness in the work place was someone else's fault. By law you are entitled to receive medical treatment for your work-related injury or illness, but again, you are banned from suing your employer.

If you are hurt on the job, it is imperative you report it to your employer immediately. This will help ensure there are no complications in receiving the benefits you are entitled to. The employer may investigate the injury to make sure your claims are legitimate. The next step is getting emergency treatment if necessary. You should inquire whether your employer has a preference as to where you should go for treatment. If you are going to lose six (6) or more days of work due to your injury or illness, you should contact a lawyer to help you with your claim.

Call the Law Offices of Ladas & Ladas, P.C. at 1-800-339-3332.

For more information regarding Workers' Compensation, please visit http://www.workerscompensation.com/massachusetts.php