A Victim of Workplace Accidents?
Reviewed by Kara H. North, Managing Attorney at Moxie Law Group. Reviewed November 9, 2023.
If you were hurt on the job in Utah, you may be entitled to workers compensation, and in some cases to a separate claim against a negligent third party, and Moxie Law Group helps injured workers pursue the full recovery they are owed. We work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win.
Workers compensation covers your medical care and part of your lost wages regardless of fault, but it does not cover everything. When someone other than your employer contributed to your injury, a defective machine, a negligent contractor, or a careless driver, you may also have a personal injury claim for the losses workers comp leaves out. We identify every source of recovery available to you.
The COVID Quotient
The new (October, 2020) Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect report expands the scope of worker injury and death to include the ravaging COVID-19 has done to industries ranging from healthcare to meat-packing plants. The data show that at least 163,000 healthcare workers had been infected, and 713 had died, as of late September, while the meat-packing, food-processing and farming industries reported more nearly 60,000 infections and 238 deaths in the same time frame.
While the Utah Labor Commission offers resources for victims of industrial accidents, injured workers, deceased workers, and all of us who love them dearly need help navigating the best possible compensation. Additionally, the Utah Office of Rehabilitation is available to assist Utah workers who are unable to return to their previous employment due to injury.
Common Types of Workplace Accidents
Workplace accidents can happen in any industry and often occur when least expected. Some of the most common types of workplace accidents include slips, trips, and falls, which can result in anything from minor bruises to serious injuries like broken bones or spinal cord injuries. Lifting injuries are also frequent, especially in jobs that require manual handling of heavy objects, leading to strains, sprains, or even more severe damage. Workers may also be injured by being struck by falling objects, equipment failures, or electrical accidents. Vehicle-related incidents, such as those involving forklifts or company cars, are another significant source of workplace injuries.
The injuries sustained in these accidents can range from cuts and bruises to catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries. No matter the severity, injured workers are often entitled to workers compensation benefits, which can help cover medical expenses and lost wages during recovery. It’s crucial for both employers and employees to prioritize safety and follow established protocols to reduce the risk of workplace accidents and ensure that workers receive the compensation they deserve if an accident does occur.
Causes and Consequences
Workplace accidents are often the result of a combination of factors, including equipment failure, human error, and insufficient safety measures. Inadequate training, poor lighting, and exposure to hazardous materials can further increase the risk of injury. When safety protocols are not followed or when employers fail to provide a safe environment, the consequences can be devastating for injured workers and their families.
The aftermath of a workplace accident can include significant physical pain, emotional distress, and mounting medical bills. Injured workers may face lost wages if they are unable to return to work, and in severe cases, workplace accidents can result in wrongful death, leaving family members to cope with both emotional and financial loss. The impact of these accidents often extends beyond the individual, affecting the entire family’s quality of life. That’s why it’s so important for injured workers to seek compensation benefits and for employers to take proactive steps to prevent workplace accidents from happening in the first place. A hurt at work laywer can help.
Compensation is Compassion. Hurt at work lawyer.
If you have been injured in a workplace accident, Moxie Law Group is here for you. Moxie Law Group is one of Utah’s leading female-led personal injury firms that specializes in fighting for the injured employee with integrity, empathy, and tenacity. We provide comprehensive legal services to help injured workers seek the compensation they deserve. We are committed to fighting for our clients who have been the victims of an employer’s negligence. If you have been injured in a workplace accident, Moxie Law Group is just a phone call away.
Pros of Workers Compensation Benefits
Workers compensation refers to a type of insurance employers carry. Most employers carry workers compensation insurance so that they aren’t left with a big bill when workplace injuries occur. Workplace injuries can occur on any job site. But not all workplace injuries require that the injured party file personal injury claim. In fact, many workplace injuries actually don’t need the help of workplace injury lawyers in order for the injured party to get compensation. Generally, a person files a workers compensation claim, they no longer have the option to sue their employer for the serious injuries they’ve sustained. However, depending on the job injury and the circumstances, the injured worker may actually find that it’s easier to file a workers compensation claim.
A Workers Compensation Claim Can Help You
If you’ve been injured in a workplace accident, a workers compensation claim may be able to help you. Unlike a personal injury claim, workers compensation claims don’t require you to prove fault. When it comes to workers compensation claims, you are generally eligible for compensation so long as you were injured on the job. Workplace accident victims may still be able to file a workers compensation claim even if their employer did not contribute to their injury. Workers compensation will compensate those injured on the job for lost wages, medical treatment, and future medical expenses in the case of permanent disability. For those who have only sustained minor injuries, workers compensation may be the best way to recover compensation.
Rights of Injured Workers
Injured workers in Utah have important rights designed to protect them after a workplace accident. One of the most critical rights is the ability to file a workers compensation claim to receive benefits for injuries sustained on the job. These benefits can include coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for permanent disabilities. Injured workers also have the right to seek legal representation from a workers compensation attorney, who can help them navigate the complexities of workers compensation law and ensure they receive their rightful benefits.
It’s essential for injured workers to seek medical care immediately after a workplace accident and to keep thorough records of all medical treatment, including medical records and witness statements. These documents can be vital in building a strong workers compensation case. By understanding their rights and working with an experienced attorney, injured workers can secure the legal representation they need to obtain the compensation they deserve and focus on their recovery.
Utah Workplace Injury Laws
Utah’s workplace injury laws are specifically designed to safeguard the interests of injured workers and ensure they receive the support they need after a workplace injury. The Utah Labor Commission is responsible for overseeing workers compensation claims and making sure employers comply with state workers compensation law. Injured workers can file a claim with the Utah Labor Commission to access benefits such as medical expenses and lost wages, helping them recover from their injuries and return to work when possible.
Hurt at work lawyer
Utah personal injury lawyers play a crucial role in guiding injured workers through the legal process, especially in cases involving serious injuries like spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries. If disputes arise, an administrative law judge may be involved to resolve issues and ensure fair compensation. Injured workers should not hesitate to seek help from experienced injury lawyers to protect their rights and secure the compensation they are entitled to under Utah law.
When Workplace Injury Lawyers Get Involved
Personal injury claims may also help those who are injured on the job. Personal injury cases cover a wide range of situations, including harm caused by negligence or intentional acts, and require proving fault. Unlike those who file workers compensation claims, those who file personal injury claims have to prove fault. Furthermore, personal injury claims not only cover the medical treatment and lost wages of the injured worker, they may also cover non-economic damages. Non-economic damages may include emotional distress, or pain and suffering. A workplace accident attorney can help you decide whether or not filing a workplace injury claim is in a client’s best interest, or if they should seek compensation through workers compensation benefits. If you’ve been involved in a workplace injury, it may be time to sit down with a workplace accident attorney to determine whether or not you should seek compensation through workers compensation benefits, or if you should meet with a personal injury law firm. The legal complexities involved in workplace injury and personal injury cases make it important to consult with an experienced attorney.
“When Should I Meet with a Workplace Accident Attorney?”
The sooner you meet with a workplace injury lawyer, the better. If you have a workplace injury, getting legal advice from a workplace injury lawyer is one of the first things you should do. Our law firm gives potential clients a free initial consultation. This way, injured workers are able to determine whether or not a personal injury law firm can help them, without having to take a financial risk. This free initial consultation is the first step on the road to recover compensation. If you’re not sure whether or not you should go with a workplace injury lawyer or workers compensation benefits, contact Moxie Law Group today for a free consultation.
Proving Negligence
Normally, it’s necessary to prove that a workplace injury was caused by negligence in order to recover financial compensation for injured workers. If you were involved in a job-related accident, and you have a permanent disability, medical expenses, lost wages, or any other workplace injury-related expense, and the workplace accident was caused by the negligence of another person, it may be a good idea to have a conversation with a workplace injury attorney or workplace injury lawyers. If a workplace injury attorney is able to prove that the negligence of your employer caused your injury, you may be able to get financial compensation by working with a work injury attorney. Work injury lawyers usually start by looking for evidence of negligence. Negligence can look different across work injury claims, but negligence always has the same elements: duty, breach of duty, damages, and causation.
Duty
Duty refers to a legal obligation. In the most simple terms, you can think of duty as a responsibility, or a job. In order for you to have a valid third-party claim, a workplace accident lawyer will need to prove that the third party had a duty to prevent your injury. Here’s a good example: you’re at work and the janitors, who aren’t employed with your company, just finished waxing the floors. However, they did it during the busiest time, and they never put up any signs cautioning others. You slip and fall, breaking your arm. In this case, you may have a third-party claim. Injured workers may have a third-party claim when a person is injured at work, but not by the fault of the employer. In the case of the slip and fall, the workplace accident lawyer will need to prove that the janitorial company had a duty to caution others.
Breach of Duty
After a workplace accident attorney proves that the third party had a duty, they then need to prove that the third party breached their duty. In the case we just mentioned, it seems pretty straightforward: obviously, the janitorial company breached their duty when they failed to caution people about the condition of the floors, right? Well, even in that case, it’s not so straightforward. And workplace accident attorneys often work with cases where it’s difficult to determine where the breach of duty occurred. Workplace injury attorneys often encounter cases where breach of duty isn’t so clear. In these situations, third parties can be held liable for injuries caused by their negligence, meaning they may be responsible for compensating the victim for damages and medical expenses. And sometimes, workplace accident attorneys encounter third-party liability claims where multiple third parties could have breached their duty and led to an work related injury. In a third-party liability claim, some states may allow you to apportion liability. This means that if an attorney can show that multiple parties are liable, the parties can share fault. If in a third-party liability claim, they all have to pay personal injury damages proportional to the amount of fault they have. Call the top Workplace Injury Lawyers today.
Damages
After proving that a duty existed, and there was a breach of duty, work accident lawyers then need to prove that there are damages. The injured employee’s medical records can be used as evidence of the damages. When a work accident lawyer is proving that there are damages, they aren’t just proving that there were work injuries. In a work injury claim, you can ask for both economic and non-economic damages. So, if your work-related injuries include ankle injuries, you can receive compensation for the medical expenses associated with those injuries. But if there were non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, you may be eligible to recover those as well.
Causation
Lastly, an attorney will need to prove that the third party directly caused the plaintiff’s damages. Depending on the case, this may be extremely difficult. Not only do you need to prove that the defendant caused those damages, but you also need to prove that they caused those damages specifically by breaching their duty. Here’s an example: let’s say a burglar breaks into a home and steps on a Lego. This Lego not only broke is entire foot, it also caused emotional distress. He’d like to go after the homeowners for negligent infliction of emotional distress, and premises liability. Unfortunately, though homeowners generally have a duty to keep their home safe for guests, a burglar isn’t a guest. Therefore, even though their messy home caused the injury, they didn’t have a duty to protect the burglar in the first place. Therefore, they didn’t breach their duty. Not only would a personal injury attorney need to prove that the damages were caused by the defendant, they’d need to prove that they were directly caused by the defendant’s breach of duty.
Should I Hire a Workers Compensation Lawyer?
Most personal injury lawyers give their potential clients a free consultation. If you were injured at your place of employment. In a lot of cases, people find that workers compensation benefits are easier to obtain than a personal injury settlement. Furthermore, if you go with a workplace injury law firm, you will likely have to prove fault. But going through the workers compensation system does not normally require you to prove fault. If workers compensation isn’t paying you enough to cover your injury related expenses, it may be a good idea to meet with a skilled workers compensation attorney, specifically an attorney who deals with workers compensation claims. This is not necessarily a personal injury attorney, though the attorney may practice personal injury as well. If you are unsure of whether or not you need a personal injury attorney, you can meet with a personal injury attorney at Moxie Law Group for a free consultation. This can help you decide what your best options are legally.
How Does Workers Comp Work?
Workers compensation insurance is similar to car insurance or health insurance. At the end of the day, workers comp is an insurance company. Employers purchase workers compensation insurance for each employee. In most cases, they pay higher rates for employees who are more likely to be injured: construction workers, window washers, miners, etc. Employers generally will pay lower premiums for employees who are less likely to be injured within the scope of their employment: bookkeepers, executive assistants, accountants, etc. Since workers compensation fund is an insurance company, they tend to act like insurance companies: they offer low ball settlements, and try to deny claims when possible. Personal injury lawyers don’t all handle underpaying workers compensation claims, therefore you may need an attorney who specializes in workers compensation fund.
Injured Workers and Insurance Providers
When injured workers file a workers compensation claim, they often find themselves dealing directly with insurance providers. These insurance companies are responsible for paying out benefits, but they may attempt to minimize payouts or even deny valid claims. This can be a frustrating and overwhelming experience for injured workers who are already coping with medical issues and financial stress.
Injured at Work Lawyer
To ensure they receive maximum compensation, injured workers should consider seeking legal representation from a skilled workers compensation attorney. An experienced attorney can help collect evidence, gather medical records, and build a compelling case to present to the insurance provider. If an insurance provider is uncooperative or if there are questions about the workers compensation claim, legal support can make all the difference. By working with a knowledgeable attorney, injured workers can focus on their recovery while their legal team fights for the compensation and benefits they deserve.
Employers Can Prevent Injury
When personal injury lawyers get involved, claims are normally involving a negligent third party. When it comes to injuries due to negligent employer, workers comp claims are the best route to go for the most part. In order to make sure your employees don’t become injured on the job, it’s important that you stay up-to-date on all safety regulations. Depending on your field, it may be also a good idea to hold regular meetings discussing workplace safety, occupational safety, and how to avoid common workplace injuries in your field. Keeping up to date on safety regulations can be the difference between life in death in some industries.
Helping Injured Workers: That’s Moxie
Who’s looking out for employees injured on the job? Unfortunately, claims of wrongful death, product liability, and premises liability cause many employees to sustain serious injury. If you have been injured by the negligence of a third party, and you believe you may have a personal injury case, contact Moxie Law Group to get started on your free consultation. With extensive experience in handling workplace injury cases, our team is well-equipped to thoroughly investigate your claim and pursue the compensation you deserve. When people think of a legal claim, they normally think of something very expensive. But at Moxie Law Group, we’re dedicated to ensuring that our clients get the maximum compensation, without paying the maximum price. Common work related injuries vary widely across different occupations. However, that doesn’t change the fact that we need to take measures to protect the employees. But how do you protect the employees if none of them can afford an attorney? With the economic and non-economic damages, the last thing anyone wants to worry about is a lawsuit. However, at Moxie Law Group, we offer free consultations. And we work on contingency. So you don’t have to pay anything upfront to get the legal representation you deserve. If, during your free consultation, we decide that we can help you get the compensation you deserve, we’ll begin working on your case without asking for anything upfront. We are committed to securing a fair settlement for your injuries and damages. Once you get your settlement, a pre-negotiated portion of your settlement will cover your legal fees. If you go all the way to court and you don’t win, you don’t have to pay us anything.
FAQ's
Can I sue my employer for a workplace injury in Utah?
Generally, Utah’s workers’ compensation system is a “no-fault” program, meaning you receive benefits regardless of who caused the accident, but you typically cannot sue your employer directly. However, if your injury was caused by a negligent third party, such as a defective equipment manufacturer, a reckless subcontractor, or a driver while you were traveling for work. You may be able to file a third-party personal injury claim. This allows you to seek additional compensation for pain and suffering, which is not covered by workers’ comp.
What benefits am I entitled to under Utah workers’ compensation?
Workers’ compensation is designed to cover your medical expenses related to the injury, including hospital visits, surgeries, and prescriptions. It also provides disability benefits to cover a portion of your lost wages if you are unable to work. Depending on the severity of the injury, you may be eligible for temporary total disability, permanent partial disability, or vocational rehabilitation. Our legal team helps ensure that the insurance carrier does not prematurely terminate these vital benefits.
What should I do if my workplace injury claim is denied?
It is common for insurance companies to deny claims by arguing that the injury was pre-existing or did not happen “in the course of employment.” If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision through the Utah Labor Commission. This process involves gathering medical evidence, witness testimony, and expert opinions. Having a workplace injury lawyer is critical during this stage to navigate the complex hearings and ensure your rights are protected.
How long do I have to report a work injury in Utah?
In Utah, you must notify your employer of a workplace injury within 180 days of the occurrence. However, it is highly recommended that you report the incident immediately. Delaying your report can give the insurance company a reason to doubt the validity of your claim. After the initial report, there are additional deadlines for filing formal claims with the Labor Commission, so acting quickly is essential.
Why do I need a lawyer for a workplace injury if it’s a “no-fault” system?
While the system is intended to be straightforward, insurance companies often prioritize their profits over your recovery. They may attempt to rush you back to work before you are healed or downplay the extent of your disability. A lawyer ensures that all liable third parties are identified, medical evidence is properly presented, and you receive the maximum compensation available for both your financial and physical losses.
Our Mission
At Moxie Law Group, our mission is to help others advocate for themselves in the face of personal injury. We’re dedicated to making the communities around us safer through the prevention of injuries, and through the promotion of personal safety. We create educational content to help those around us keep themselves safe, and keep everyone around them safe. However, we know that it isn’t yet possible to completely eradicate the chances of injury. Therefore, if you’ve been injured, and you need someone to stand up against the insurance companies for you, contact Moxie Law Group today to get started. Don’t wait until it’s too late to file your claim, contact Moxie Law Group today.
Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with Moxie Law Group today. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have.
Utah Workplace Injury FAQs
Can I sue if I was hurt at work in Utah?
Workers’ compensation usually covers on-the-job injuries, but a separate claim may be possible when a third party, not your employer, caused your harm. A Utah workplace injury lawyer can identify every available source of recovery.
What should I do after a workplace injury?
Report it to your employer promptly, get medical care, and keep records. Prompt reporting protects both your health and your claim.
The COVID Quotient
The new (October, 2020) Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect report expands the scope of worker injury and death to include the ravaging COVID-19 has done to industries ranging from healthcare to meat-packing plants. The data show that at least 163,000 health care workers had been infected, and 713 had died, as of late September, while the meat-packing, food-processing and farming industries reported more nearly 60,000 infections and 238 deaths in the same time frame.
While the Utah Labor Commission offers resources for victims of industrial accidents, injured workers, deceased workers, and all of us who love them dearly need help navigating the best possible compensation.
Compensation is Compassion.
If you have been injured in a workplace accident, Moxie Law Group is here for you. Moxie Law Group is one of Utah’s leading female-led personal injury firms that specializes in fighting for the injured employee with integrity, empathy, and tenacity. We are committed to fighting for our clients who have been the victims of an employer’s negligence. If you have been injured in a workplace accident, Moxie Law Group is just a phone call away.
Most Importantly, Our Experience Speaks for Itself




