Best Workers Compensation Lawyers Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids, MI Workers Compensation FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Grand Rapids, Michigan?

  616-456-3400 is the non-emergency line of the police in Grand Rapids.

• Where can I get a copy of police report for incidents related to my case in Grand Rapids, Michigan?

  Record requests in Grand Rapids are processed by the police at 616-456-4177. The office is at 1 Monroe Center NW, Grand Rapids, 49503.

• Is it possible to claim workers' compensation in Grand Rapids if you have a pre-existing condition?

  No, having a pre-existing medical condition such as hypertension or asthma does not preclude you from claiming workers' compensation benefits. It does, however, complicate matters because the cause of the workplace injury must be medically distinguished from the claimant's latent issues. One must demonstrate more than an increase in pain and a subsequent event that resulted in a new or worsened malady.

• What is the minimum size of a business in Grand Rapids before it is required to carry workers' compensation insurance?

  In Grand Rapids, if a company has three or more employees working fewer than 35 hours per week, the law mandates that the company obtain workers' compensation insurance. Even if there are fewer than three people involved in the operation, the business must have insurance if any one employee works 35 or more hours per week.

• What benefits are available under workers' compensation law if a truck driver in Grand Rapids breaks a leg in a workplace accident and loses the ability to drive?

  A truck driver in Grand Rapids who breaks a leg and is unable to drive may be eligible for disability benefits that are either permanent or temporary, depending on how long it takes to regain the ability to drive. Should the disability be permanent, retraining and rehabilitation costs are also compensable in order to return the worker to a work-ready state or to learn a new trade.

• Can a forklift driver in Grand Rapids who got hurt while bungee jumping off the side of a warehouse on a dare claim workers' compensation benefits?

  A Grand Rapids forklift driver is unlikely to be able to collect workers' compensation benefits. The injuries sustained during the jump may have been self-inflicted, as assuming that a typical warehouse has enough elevation for a successful bungee jump is clearly reckless. Because it was done on a dare rather than as part of official duties, the reckless behavior did not occur while working.

• Why would a laborer in Grand Rapids opt to waive workers' compensation rights?

  When it is more advantageous to sue the employer directly for a tort in Grand Rapids, a laborer may waive workers' compensation rights even if qualified. This occurs when management commits negligent acts or omissions that make the workplace dangerous. In these cases, the court's award of damages may be greater than the insurance payout.