Work Accident Attorney
Support For Injured Workers When A Job Accident Changes Everything
A sudden injury at work can interrupt your income, your health, and your plans for the future. One moment you are doing your job, and the next you may be facing medical visits, pain, and pressure to get back to work before you are ready. In this confusing time, having a work accident attorney you trust can make a real difference in how you move forward.
At Hensley Cloninger & Greer, P.C., we help injured workers and their families understand their rights after job accidents and workplace injuries. We know that you may be hearing different things from your employer, from the insurance company, and from friends who have been through similar situations. Our role is to give you clear information about your options so you can make decisions that protect your health and your future.
Our firm has focused on personal injury law for more than 30 years, and our attorneys bring together over 85 years of combined experience. Founded by John C. Hensley Jr., who began his career working for insurance companies, our team draws on that insight when we stand up for injured people across North Carolina.
Don’t navigate the complexities of insurance claims and medical bills alone while you are trying to recover. Contact Hensley Cloninger & Greer, P.C. today for a free consultation to ensure your rights and your future are fully protected.
Serious Workplace Accidents Can Change Everything
A workplace accident can affect far more than the part of your body that was injured. You might be unable to work, you could be worried about missing paychecks, and you may not know how long your recovery will take. Many people in this situation feel torn between following medical advice and trying to get back on the job to keep their position and their income.
The system around work injuries is not simple. There is often a workers’ compensation claim to think about, and in some situations, there may also be claims against other companies or individuals whose negligence contributed to the accident. Sorting out what applies to your situation can be difficult when you are in pain and trying to keep up with treatment.
We understand that this is more than a legal problem. It is a strain on your family, your finances, and your sense of stability. Over the past three decades, our firm has represented individuals and families dealing with serious injuries that came from unsafe conditions, careless conduct, and dangerous products. That experience helps us see the full picture of what a job accident can mean for you, both now and in the years ahead.
Why Injured Workers Choose Our Team After Job Accidents
When you look for help after a work injury, you are not just looking for any law firm. You are looking for a team that understands serious injuries, knows how insurers think, and has the time to focus on your case. Our attorneys have more than 85 years of combined experience in personal injury law. Over that time, we have handled a wide range of serious injury cases, including those that started with an incident in the workplace.
Our firm was founded by John C. Hensley Jr., who spent the early part of his career representing insurance companies. We now use that knowledge from the other side to anticipate how insurers may try to limit or deny claims after workplace incidents. When you work with our team, you have lawyers who understand how adjusters evaluate injuries and how they might try to shift blame.
Another key difference is that we represent only individuals and families. We do not represent employers, corporations, or insurance companies. Our loyalty is with the person who was hurt and the family that is trying to get through a difficult time. Because we avoid a high volume approach, we can focus on substantive strategy and personal attention for each case we accept.
After A Work Accident: Steps To Protect Your Health & Your Claim
Right after a work accident, it can be hard to know what to do first. You may be in pain, worried about your job, and unsure how serious your injuries really are. Taking a few practical steps can help protect both your health and any claim you may have in the future.
1. Prioritize Medical Care & Report The Injury
Your priority should be getting medical care. Even if you think your injury is minor, some conditions take time to show up, and having a medical professional evaluate you early can be important for your recovery and for documenting what happened. It is also important to report the injury to your employer as soon as you reasonably can. Many workplaces in North Carolina have procedures for documenting incidents, and workers’ compensation claims often depend on timely notice. When you make a report, try to keep a copy of what you submit, or write down when you reported the incident and to whom.
2. Document The Scene & Protect Your Statements
If it is safe, you can also gather information at the scene. If coworkers saw what happened, writing down their names and contact information can also be helpful later. Many people feel pressure to sign forms, give detailed statements, or accept explanations about fault right away. Before you do that, it can be wise to speak with a work accident lawyer so you understand how those statements could be used and what rights you have. At our firm, we often review these early documents with clients so they are not facing that pressure alone.
Common Causes & Consequences Of Workplace Accidents
Workplace accidents happen in many different settings, from construction sites and factories to offices, hospitals, and retail locations. No matter where they occur, the impact on an injured worker’s life can be similar, including pain, time away from work, and questions about the future.
1. Conditions & Events That Lead To Job Accidents
Some job accidents stem from unsafe conditions on the property, such as unmarked hazards, poor lighting, or cluttered walkways. Others involve equipment incidents, including machinery without proper guards, malfunctioning tools, or vehicles used on the job. In some cases, a dangerous product such as a defective ladder, power tool, or safety device can contribute to what happened.
2. Serious Injuries That Affect Your Work & Daily Life
When we talk with clients, we often see serious injuries that come from these events. Some injuries heal fully over time, but others can limit a person’s ability to lift, stand, focus, or move as they did before. That can affect both daily life and the type of work they are able to do in the future.
It is also important to understand that more than one party can be responsible for a workplace accident. There may be a workers’ compensation claim that focuses on benefits from the employer’s policy. At the same time, there can be potential claims against other companies, such as subcontractors, property owners, or manufacturers of unsafe equipment.
How Our Attorneys Approach Work Accident Cases
When you contact us after a job injury, our goal is to listen first and understand what you are going through. We want to know how the accident happened, what treatment you have received, and what concerns you have about your health and your job. From there, we can start to look at the legal side of your situation.
1. Understanding Your Situation & Evaluating Options
In many workplace cases, there is a workers’ compensation claim that addresses certain medical care and a portion of lost wages. There may also be questions about whether another person or company shares responsibility for what happened. As a work accident lawyer, we review incident reports, medical records, and other information to see what paths may be available.
Our background on the insurance side gives us a practical understanding of how insurers evaluate claims, where they look for reasons to pay less, and how they may approach settlement discussions. We use that insight to prepare our clients and to build claims that address those concerns directly when possible.
2. Negotiation, Litigation & Ongoing Communication
Some matters can be resolved through negotiation, while others require more formal action in the court system. We have developed strong trial capabilities over many years, and we are prepared to pursue fair outcomes through litigation when that is the right path. Throughout the process, we focus on regular communication so that you know what is happening and can take part in important decisions about your case.
Local Insight For Injured Workers In Asheville
Being located in Asheville means we regularly meet with people who have been hurt while working in a variety of settings across western North Carolina. North Carolina has its own workers’ compensation system that sets rules for reporting injuries, choosing certain medical providers, and receiving specific benefits. Employers and insurers who operate here follow those state rules, and the details can affect how your claim unfolds. Part of our work is helping clients understand these rules, including how they may interact with any other claims that might exist.
Injured workers in this area often receive treatment at regional hospitals, clinics, or therapy centers. Medical records from these providers are an important part of documenting both the initial injury and the course of recovery. Our experience with local practices and providers helps us appreciate how these records are created and how they fit into the overall picture of a claim.
Because we have represented individuals across North Carolina for many years, we are familiar with the types of workplaces and conditions that are common here. That local knowledge helps when we are evaluating what happened, gathering information, and explaining your situation if it needs to be presented to an insurance company or in a courtroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need A Work Accident Attorney If I Already Filed For Workers’ Compensation?
You may still benefit from speaking with a lawyer even if you have already started a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation can cover some medical care and part of your lost wages, but it might not address all of your losses, especially if another party besides your employer contributed to the accident. A work accident attorney can review what happened, look at the benefits you are receiving, and help you understand whether additional claims may be available. Our team also talks with people whose benefits are delayed, reduced, or denied, and we work to identify options for moving forward.
What Should I Do If My Employer Is Pressuring Me Not To Report My Injury?
If you feel pressure not to report a work injury, it is important to remember that accurate reporting protects both your health and your legal rights. You can write down what happened in as much detail as you can recall, including dates, times, and any witnesses, and keep a copy of anything you submit. If you are unsure how to proceed, contacting our firm for a confidential conversation can give you a chance to discuss what you are experiencing and what options you might have. Because we represent only individuals and families, not employers or insurance companies, our focus remains on your rights and your well being.
How Soon After A Job Accident Should I Contact Your Firm?
It is often helpful to talk with an attorney as soon as you reasonably can after a job accident. Early contact can make it easier to preserve evidence, gather information from the scene, and understand how to handle forms and statements requested by insurers. That said, we also speak with people whose claims are already underway and who have new concerns about how they are being treated. Whether your injury happened days, weeks, or months ago, reaching out gives us a chance to learn about your situation and explain how a job accident attorney may be able to assist.
How Will Your Attorneys Communicate With Me About My Workplace Accident Case?
Communication is an important part of how we serve clients. When we work with you, our goal is to make sure you know who your main contacts are and how to reach them if questions come up. We provide updates at key points, such as after significant developments in your medical treatment or your claim, and we take time to explain what those developments mean. Because our firm does not focus on a high volume of cases, we can devote attention to the people we represent and aim to respond to calls and messages in a timely way.
Can Your Team Help If A Dangerous Product Or Machine Caused My Work Injury?
We can review your situation if you were hurt while using a product or machine on the job. Some work injuries involve equipment that fails, tools that do not have adequate warnings, or products that were not reasonably safe for their intended use. In those situations, there may be a potential claim against a manufacturer or another company involved with the product, in addition to any workers’ compensation benefits. Our firm has a history of handling serious injury cases that involve dangerous products, and we draw on that experience when evaluating these types of incidents.
What If My Work Accident Will Keep Me From Doing My Job Long Term?
If a workplace injury limits your ability to return to your prior job or to work at all, it can create real worry about how you will support yourself and your family. When we evaluate a claim, we look not only at your current medical bills and missed time from work, but also at how your injuries may affect your future earning capacity and your need for ongoing care. Our team’s access to medical professionals helps us better understand your diagnoses and potential long term restrictions. That understanding is important when we work to seek outcomes that take into account both your immediate and future needs.
How Much Does It Cost To Talk With Your Attorneys About My Job Accident?
Many people hesitate to contact a lawyer because they are worried about cost. We encourage you not to let this concern prevent you from asking questions about your rights. When you reach out to Hensley Cloninger & Greer, P.C., we can explain how consultations work and what fee arrangements may apply to work accident cases. Our goal is to make it as straightforward as possible for injured workers and their families to get information about their options without adding financial stress at an already difficult time.
Talk With Our Team About Your Work Accident
You do not have to sort through medical issues, employment concerns, and insurance questions on your own after a workplace accident. Speaking with an experienced work accident lawyer can help you understand what has happened so far with your claim, what choices you have, and what steps may come next.
At , we draw on decades of experience in personal injury law, insight from our founder’s work on the insurance side, and a commitment to representing individuals and families only. We take a client-focused approach, pay close attention to the details of each case, and work to pursue fair outcomes for the people we serve. If you were hurt at work and are unsure where to begin, we are ready to talk with you about your situation.
To discuss your work accident with our team, call (828) 383-8414.