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Industrial Accidents and Worker’s Compensation

The phrase “industrial accident” usually calls to mind catastrophic events and great losses. For instance, the explosion at the Texas City Refinery in 2005 killed 15 people and left more than 170 other critically injured. In 1991, 25 people died and 54 people were injured when the fire doors wouldn’t unlock during a fire at the Hamlet chicken processing plant. While these horrible accidents occurred years apart and miles from one another, they have one thing in common – in both incidents, reports found numerous problems with equipment, issues with inspections, and unsafe conditions on the job sites. The law requires employers to maintain safe working conditions in order to avoid tragic accidents, deaths, and injuries in the workplace. In the case of an employee being injured on the job, employers are legally responsible for at least partially compensating employees for time missed and medical costs.

For years, the attorneys at Van Dorn & Curtiss have successfully represented worker’s compensation claims in Western New Hampshire and Eastern Vermont, aggressively pursuing and winning generous jury awards for our clients. Our experience with clients has shown that worker’s compensation benefits and insurance claims and benefits rarely cover all the losses and damages incurred in an industrial accident, no matter how large or small. The legal team at Van Dorn & Curtiss know the tactics necessary to prove negligence on the part of an employer in a court of law. Proving negligence is the key to recovering monetary damages, and our attorneys have mastered that art. We try cases involving industrial accidents and worker’s compensation claims, and our clients know that we will take their case to trial and win. Our reputation reflects our winning record.

Our Goal is Not to Meet Your Expectations. Our Goal is to Exceed Your Expectations.

At Van Dorn & Curtiss, we know the law. We have the experience and the savvy to read between the lines. For instance, employees in Vermont (as well as other states) can be denied worker’s compensation if an earlier injury “could be confused with the worker’s compensation claim," and employees in New Hampshire can recover up to 60% of their average weekly wage. Workplace accidents, especially those taking place near dangerous chemicals and industrial machinery, are usually serious and result in serious injuries such as brain damage, severe burns, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, loss of limbs, vision loss, hearing loss, and in the worst cases, death. Critical injuries cause a decline in a victim's quality of life. Very often people are left so incapacitated by the accident that they can no longer perform their jobs. Permanent disabilities lead to loss of income, huge medical costs, insurance issues, and pain and suffering. 60% of a weekly wage won’t cover those kinds of losses, yet the worker’s compensation brochures from the departments of labor in both Vermont and New Hampshire do not emphasize a need to have quality and aggressive legal representation for serious worker’s compensation claims stemming from industrial accidents. The legal team at Van Dorn & Curtiss refuses to let our clients settle for unfair settlements that do not fully compensate for damages caused by negligent employers, serious accidents and critical injuries. We will fight for the compensation that you are owed. We want you to reclaim your life, and when we step into a courtroom, we name the price and the defendant pays. 

All Law Firms are Not Created Equal.

Industrial accidents involve serious injuries that bring with them issues pertaining to insurance claims and benefits as well as medical costs, legal issues that Van Dorn & Curtiss will help you navigate in addition to your initial claim. As a full service law firm, we will only charge you one contingency fee, yet we will assist you with all insurance, medical, and benefits issues related to your original suit. Call us today to set up a consultation if you’ve been in an industrial accident or if you’ve been hurt on the job. We will fight for the compensation you deserve, and we will win. Our attorneys represent clients in Eastern Vermont and Western New Hampshire, including the counties Windsor, Windham, Sullivan, Merrimack, Orange, Grafton, Essex, Coos, Cheshire, and Caledonia. For expert legal representation and recovery of damages you deserve, contact Van Dorn & Curtiss at 1(877)611-9622. Trust the lawyers other lawyers trust, and call Van Dorn & Curtiss today.

Blog for Industrial Accidents and Worker’s Compensation

• What should I do after an on-the-job injury?
• Have You Been Denied Workers Comp? | NH on the Job Attorney
• OSHA Offers Free On-Site Consultation | NH On the Job Injury Attorney
• OSHA Offers Free On-Site Consultation | NH On the Job Injury Attorney
• Experience, Passion Key in an Attorney | New Hampshire Accident Lawyer
• Is your workplace safe?
• Do I need a New Hampshire asbestosis or mesothelioma lawyer?
• First Responders Often Injured as They Work to Save Lives | Vermont

Library for Industrial Accidents and Worker’s Compensation:

• Common Occupational Illnesses   
  Description: Contracting an illness, disease or disorder at work can have serious and long lasting implications. In this article we will look at the different types of occupational illnesses. The problem with work related illnesses is that symptom of the disease or disorder may not surface for months, even years after exposure. If you believe that you have been made ill while on the job, even if the exposure was years ago, please contact your Vermont workers compensation attorneys at Van Dorn & Curtiss today.
• Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Worker Safety and Health   
  Description: The United Sates Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) collects data dealing with every possible aspect of work in the U.S. In this article we will be looking at their statistics and information on worker safety and health. We hope that the information provided here will give you a better understanding of what the most common work place injuries and illness are. If you have been injured while at work please contact your New Hampshire and Vermont workers compensation attorneys at Van Dorn & Curtiss today for your free consultation.
• Treatment of Burns (A Common on the Job Injury)   
  Description: Burns are one of them more common workplace injuries. They are especially prevalent in industrial and restaurant jobs. This article will focus on the treatment of burns from fire or grease, chemical burns and electrical burns. If you have been injured while on the job please contact your New Hampshire workers compensation attorneys today for your free consultation. Though our office is in Orford, NH we take cases from across the state including Berlin, Manchester, Nashua and Concord.
• The New Hampshire Department of Labor (DOL)   
  Description: The New Hampshire Department of Labor (DOL) is an excellent resource for both employers and employees. Use their services to prevent work place accidents and report on the job injuries. If you have been injured in an accident at work or have become ill after an on the job exposure please contact your experienced New Hampshire injury attorneys at Van Dorn & Curtiss today for your free consultation. Let us fight for your rights as an injured worker.
• OSHA   
  Description: OSHA is a government agency that works to prevent work-related injury, illness and death. The following page in intended to help you navigate the OSHA website. If you have suffered from an on the job injury please contact your VT injury lawyers at Van Dorn & Curtiss today for your free consultation.
• Asbestosis   
  Description: This article outlines the causes, signs, symptoms and treatments of asbestosis, a serious breathing disorder. If you or someone you love has exposed to asbestos please contact your NH workers compensation attorneys at Van Dorn & Curtiss today.
• Chemical Exposure   
  Description: The following article outlines types of hazardous chemicals and the common injures they cause. If you have been injured by a chemical at work or at home please contact your New Hampshire personal injury lawyer, Van Dorn and Curtiss, today.
• Mesothelioma   
  Description: This article discusses mesothelioma and its causes, symptoms and treatments. If you have been exposed to asbestos please contact your New Hampshire injury lawyer at Van Dorn and Curtiss today.
• Soft Tissue Injuries (Lower Back)   
  Description: A back injury can be caused by a soft tissue injury, also known as a sprain or strain. The following article outlines the definition, symptoms and treatments of soft tissue injury in the back.
• Worker’s Compensation Process and Pitfalls   
  Description: When a family member is injured on the job it is a potentially disastrous situation, especially if that family member is the sole provider. The loss of a family member’s entire income can leave the family in dire financial straights. The Worker’s Compensation system, also known as Worker’s Comp., is designed to prevent these types of tragedies. The main purpose of the Worker’s Comp. system is to provide medical coverage, disability if the victim is unable to return to work, and if necessary, retraining and rehab to help the victim return to work.

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Case Results for Industrial Accidents and Worker’s Compensation:

• Man Crushed by an Industrial Crane Receives Justice

Awarded: $1,400,000

• Man Takes a Big Blow at his Job - Attorney Curtiss Restores His Hope

Awarded: $900,000

• Robin Curtiss Settles Lead Poisoned Child’s Case

Awarded: $650,000

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