Episode 122: In today’s episode, Hopkinsville workers’ comp attorney Jeff Roberts discusses the various injuries in manufacturing plants in Christian County, Kentucky. Over the past 33 years, Jeff has represented many worker’s compensation clients in and around this area of western Kentucky. Jeff has an office on South Virginia Street.
Jeff has built a reputation built on small town service and big city results. It’s one of the reasons many of his colleagues, in all areas of Kentucky, regularly refer friends, family members, and people with workers’ comp claims to him. Jeff has also established a strong track record for winning cases before the Kentucky Supreme Court.
In addition to workers’ comp claims, Jeff handles personal injury, car wrecks, motorcycle accidents, trucking collisions and social security disability claims.
Christian County’s Industrial Segments
While this isn’t a discussion covering all types of manufacturing in the Hopkinsville-area, there are several we’ll highlight. The manufacturing of various kinds of tubing is an important sector. Several chemical plants and automotive component parts and a variety of other manufacturing plants employ a significant number of workers from Christian County and the surrounding counties. Several of these companies supply parts for other local plants. This relationship strengthens the community.
Duty to Notify Your Employer of a Workplace Injury
In many of the episodes Jeff has on workers’ compensation claims, he includes mention of the law requiring injured workers to report workplace injuries to their employers. It’s best to inform your immediate supervisor, but even telling the on-site plant nursing staff may satisfy this requirement.
You don’t have to notify your employer immediately, but you need to do it, as soon as you can. The longer you wait, the more difficult it may be to prove your injury actually happened at work. A company policy requiring you to report it within 24-48 hours, does not mean you lose your right to benefits if you notify them beyond this window.
If you do report to plant medical, be sure to specify that your injury happened at work. They sometimes treat workers who are experiencing pain from a non-work-related injury. You want to make sure the medical staff is properly notified of your workplace injury. This can avoid unnecessary delays in the start of your workers’ comp benefits. Jeff provided a good overview of the various types of workers’ compensation benefits, in Episode 121.
Seek Medical Treatment from Your Family Doctor
During the discussion of injuries in manufacturing plants in Christian County, Jeff makes an important point: seek medical treatment from your family doctor. In Episode 23, Jeff advises people to try to avoid the company doctor. This doesn’t refer to the nursing staff, but rather any doctor your company may advise you to go to. Instead, go to your family doctor who is much more familiar with your medical history. Your family doctor is usually more focused on your recovery, rather than getting another referral from the company you work for.
An important factor to remember is that Kentucky law gives you the right to choose your own doctor, for a workers’ comp injury. You do not have to go to a doctor the company recommends. You do not have to go to a certain pharmacy. Those are your decisions. Jeff does mention those few employers who may have a managed care network. The workers’ comp carrier can require you to treat with a doctor who is part of that network, but there must be options within that network, rather than a single doctor.
Cumulative Trauma Injuries in Hopkinsville Manufacturing Facilities
Cumulative trauma, also referred to as repetitive motion, happens when a worker performs a movement repeated many times during his/her shift. This could be lifting a part or other item overhead, twisting while moving parts from one location to another, even walking or standing on a concrete floor. These types of movements cause excess wear and tear on your body. It can show up as a shoulder injury, such as a rotator cuff tear. It can be a wrist injury, such as carpal tunnel. Cumulative trauma can also show up as degenerative disc disease in your back. Your knees and ankles can breakdown because you’re on your feet all day.
Sometimes the doctor will say your arthritis is just part of growing older. However, that doesn’t make a lot of sense for a 30 or 40-year-old worker. Arthritis is a common sign of cumulative trauma, that’s work-related.
If you have a pre-existing injury, a movement or sudden onset can result in severe pain. Just because you had a pre-existing injury, you may still qualify for workers’ comp benefits.
Again, treating with your family doctor can be a good option, because he/she will be aware of your medical history and can help to determine if your new condition is work-related. Jeff spent time discussing how you designate a physician for your treatment.
Manufacturers of Automotive Parts in Christian County
In Episode 119, Jeff spoke about automotive parts facilities. Christian County has a number of automotive parts suppliers. Jeff’s handled many workers’ comp claims for people who perform these types of jobs, after receiving injuries in manufacturing plants in Christian County. In fact, while in college at Murray State, Jeff ran a punch press and eventually moved to a job in their die casting area. He’s familiar with manufacturing facilities and the types of pressure many workers feel while trying to meet production quotas.
Workers in automotive parts plants are at risk of experiencing cumulative trauma injuries and other common assembly-line injuries.
Jeff Roberts Has a History of Taking Cases to the Kentucky Supreme Court
We’ve discussed how many of Jeff’s cases are referred to him by other attorneys. They recognize his legal knowledge and his ability to represent injured workers. Over the years, Jeff has taken multiple cases to the Kentucky Supreme Court. While many attorneys will never argue a case before the Supreme Court, Jeff has established a formidable track record there. When you have a serious, workplace injury, it would be good to know you’ve hired an attorney who has earned that type of a reputation.
Jeff Roberts Has a Law Office in Hopkinsville
Jeff’s office is located at 1910 S. Virginia St, Suite 210. He can meet with you to discuss your specific situation. He offers free consultations.
We hope you found this episode insightful and helpful.
Thank you for listening!
What Do Other Clients Think About Jeff?
We always encourage listeners to read the Google Reviews Jeff Roberts has received from many of his clients. A 5-Star rating and the comments are earned recognition and demonstrate Jeff’s commitment to his clients. As a solo attorney, he has more Google Reviews than some firms with multiple attorneys. Jeff shares the credit with his staff at the Roberts Law Office. Successfully representing injured clients is a team effort. It’s why Jeff likes to say his firm offers small town service with big city results.
Jeff Roberts Represents Injured Clients Throughout Kentucky
With offices located in Calloway County (Murray) and now in Christian County (Hopkinsville), Jeff has a history of representing personal injury clients, workers’ compensation clients and social security disability clients across the state. He’s represented clients from Paducah, Bowling Green, Louisville, Covington, Whitesville and many other Kentucky locations. He’s not just a Western Kentucky injury attorney.
Is It Time to Speak with an Attorney about Your Workplace Injury Claim?
The office phone number is (270) 753-0053 or toll free at 800-844-5108. For more information, visit www.JeffRobertsLaw.com. This podcast is meant to provide information and is not legal advice. Jeff’s principal office is located at 509 Main Street, Murray, Kentucky. Co-host Jim Ray is a non-attorney spokesperson. This is an advertisement.
