Albuquerque Work Injury Lawyer

Going to work shouldn’t hurt. When you’re injured on the job or during the course of your employment, you deserve to be fully and fairly compensated for everything that you’ve been put through. An Albuquerque work injury lawyer can provide the legal support and guidance that you need to hold those responsible for your injuries accountable for their actions.

Every attorney-client relationship at Barrera Law Group LLC begins with a no-cost, no-obligation case evaluation. And if you feel like we’re the right fit for your case, know that we are proud to take most cases on a contingency (no win, no fee) basis. That means you don’t owe us anything unless we win your case for you.

4 Steps to Take After an Accident in the Workplace

If you’ve been hurt at work, while on the clock, or through the course of your employment, it’s important that you take the necessary steps to secure your right to compensation and justice. At Barrera Law Group LLC, we recommend taking the following four steps after any type of workplace injury:

1. Report the accident or injury to your employer. New Mexico state law requires you to report injuries to your employer or supervisor within 15 days, although certain exceptions may extend the reporting period to 60 days. Although this requirement is for workers’ compensation, it also creates a verifiable record of proof that can be used as evidence in a personal injury claim.
2. Seek medical care. Your health and well-being are the most important things after any accident or injury. Your employer may require you to see a specific doctor when receiving care for a work-related injury. However, you might also have the right to choose your own doctor.
3. Document everything. If possible, take pictures of the conditions that led to your injury or the scene of the accident. Ask your coworkers and eyewitnesses to provide statements, and write down everything that you can remember in as much detail as possible. Keep all communication from your employer, medical bills you’ve received, and other important documentation in a safe place.
4. Schedule a free meeting with an Albuquerque work injury attorney. If you believe that someone other than your employer was responsible for what happened to you, you may have legal grounds to file a third-party personal injury claim. To learn more about your legal options and what this process entails, you should meet with an attorney for a no-cost case evaluation.

It doesn’t matter where you’re at in the process. If you’ve been hurt at work and workers’ compensation isn’t enough to cover the full extent of your losses, we want to help. To speak with an experienced and hardworking lawyer at no cost to you or your family, get in touch and we’ll schedule you for a no-obligation informational meeting.

When Can I File a Third-Party Injury Claim for a Work Injury?

In general, most work injuries are covered through workers’ compensation insurance. However, there may be times when a workers’ comp claim is not sufficient to address the full breadth of your losses.

At Barrera Law Group LLC, our team of expert attorneys has the background needed to handle work injury cases involving third-party liability. You can file these types of claims when someone other than your employer caused or played a role in your injury.

Examples of people or entities you may be able to hold accountable for a work injury include:

• Contract companies or contracted workers
• Drivers (of both personal and commercial vehicles)
• Manufacturers or distributors of defective products
• Coworkers
• Customers, clients, or patients
• Dog or animal owners

An accident can happen in the blink of an eye. If you’ve been hurt on the job or suffered a work-related injury, chances are that liability and fault will not be immediately clear. And, if you don’t recover and preserve evidence early on in your case, you may lose out on the opportunity to hold these third parties accountable.

Don’t miss out on your right to compensation for your injuries, financial losses, and other damages.

Contact our Albuquerque law office today for a no-cost meeting to evaluate your legal rights.

Can I Still File for Workers’ Compensation if I Also File a Personal Injury Claim?

Yes, you can still file a workers’ compensation claim even if you are also filing a personal injury claim. These are two different types of claims filed against two different parties.

• A workers’ comp claim is filed with your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance provider.
• A personal injury claim is filed against a negligent party (other than your employer).

Filing a personal injury claim does not prevent you from filing a claim for workers’ compensation.

However, it’s important to note that by purchasing and maintaining workers’ comp insurance coverage, your employer’s personal liability for accidents is limited. In other words, you cannot personally sue your boss.

Personal Injury: When Workers’ Compensation Isn’t Enough

So, what’s the point of filing two different legal claims?

The purpose of filing both a workers’ compensation and a personal injury claim is to ensure that you are fully compensated for all of your damages and losses.

In New Mexico, workers’ comp only covers a portion of an injured or out-of-work person’s losses. This includes:

• 2/3 your average weekly wage (AWW)
• Medical bills directly related to your injury
• Temporary and permanent disabilities
• Survivor’s benefits

Personal injury claims can provide more expansive compensation aimed at making you whole again.

These types of legal claims can potentially provide financial recourse for:

• Past, current, and future lost wages
• Related medical bills
• Transportation costs to and from appointments
• Loss of benefits
• Property damage
• Loss of enjoyment in life
• Mental anguish

By filing a work injury claim against a negligent third party, you can create a path forward to a more financially secure future. This sense of security is important. It will give you the time and energy you need to focus on your health and recovery, without the added worry of how you will pay your bills.

What Are the Benefits of Hiring an Albuquerque Work Injury Lawyer?

You’ve been hurt. Maybe you’re out of work or can only work in a reduced capacity. You’ve got medical bills piling up—you need help, and you need it now.

Insurance companies know that injury victims are vulnerable. Injured workers are often dealing with the most difficult periods of their lives. These individuals don’t have the physical or mental bandwidth to deal with all the tricks and tactics used by insurers to limit payouts, or even deny compensation altogether.

So, what are the benefits of hiring an Albuquerque work injury lawyer?

You’ll have:

• The added security of a qualified legal representative on your side.
• A powerful negotiator who isn’t afraid of the at-fault party’s insurance company.
• A skilled litigator who can elevate matters to court if the insurer refuses to play fair.

Your attorney will conduct an in-depth investigation, collect and preserve evidence, correctly value the worth of your claim, identify all at-fault parties, and be your steadfast legal guide throughout the entirety of the process.

And when you hire a work injury lawyer, you’re sending a powerful message to the insurance company.

You’re saying, “I know what I’m entitled to, and I refuse to settle for anything less.”

Work Accidents and Injuries We Handle

Barrera Law Group LLC is made up of a team of competent and experienced lawyers who handle a wide range of third-party claims for work accidents and injuries.

We represent clients for:

• Construction accidents
• Oil field accidents
• Slip, trips, and falls
• Falls from heights
• Defective machinery or products
• Vehicle accidents
• Backover accidents
• Crush injuries
• Caught-in or caught-by accidents
• Burns
• Electrical injuries
• Explosions
• Fires
• Cuts and lacerations
• Repetitive stress injuries
• Rotator cuff injuries
• Knee and elbow injuries
• Lifting injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
• Chemical spills
• Exposure to harmful substances
• Violence or assaults
• Occupational illnesses

It doesn’t matter what type of accident you were involved in. If you were hurt during or through the course of your employment, we’re here to help. Our legal team will put the full force of our strong investigative skills behind your case.

Workplace Accident Statistics [Nationwide & New Mexico]

Clocking in at work can be dangerous. Below are some shocking statistics about workplace injuries and deaths in both New Mexico and the United States as a whole:

• 53 people were killed in workplace accidents in New Mexico in 2021. (BLS)
• In 2022, there were 2,804,200 nonfatal work injuries and illnesses nationwide. (BLS)
• Workers in New Mexico accumulated more than 4,900 days away from work over the course of 2021. (BLS)
• 850 workers were killed in fall accidents during 2021. (NSC)
• In 2020, workplace violence resulted in 37,060 nonfatal injuries and 392 workplace homicides. (BLS)
• Dogs are the second most common cause of animal-related workplace injuries, second only to insects. (Science Direct)
• During 2021, there were 956 work zone traffic fatalities. (DOT)

The Most Dangerous Jobs in New Mexico

New Mexico is ranked 48^th out of all 50 states for the highest rate of fatal occupational injuries. The following are some of the most dangerous industries that contribute the highest number of deaths every year:

• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Trade
• Transportation
• Utilities
• Professional and business services

In our state, these industries account for 8.1 deaths for every 100,000 workers. This is significantly higher than the national average of 3.9 deaths per 100,000 workers, as reported by America’s Health Rankings.

Our state’s oil and gas industries also pose a significant threat to the health and well-being of its workers. Between 2008 and 2018, New Mexico averaged 37 fatalities for every 100,000 employees each year.

Breaking Down the Most Common Causes of Workplace Accidents and Injuries

Accidents in the workplace don’t happen without a reason. Let’s explore some of the most common causes of on-the-job accidents and injuries in New Mexico:

• Contact with equipment
• Overexertion
• Dehydration
• Slipping and tripping hazards (such as slick floors or cluttered walkways)
• Lack of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Improper use of equipment
• Inadequate lighting
• Workplace violence

These are far from being the only causes of accidents in the workplace. If you’ve been involved in any type of incident at work or have suffered an injury because of your employment, we can help. Every member of our legal team has the skill, experience, and perseverance needed to resolve your claim to the most successful end possible.

Barrera Law Group LLC – Workplace Injury Attorneys Fighting for Albuquerque

The legal team at Barrera Law Group LLC has more than 18 years of combined experience fighting for the rights of injured workers.

We take our jobs seriously because we know exactly what’s on the line.

Your future relies on your ability to get the help you need now. To learn more about your right to compensation, contact us online or by phone. We’ll pair you with an experienced Albuquerque work injury lawyer who will fight tirelessly on your behalf.