How Vehicle Recalls and Defects Contribute to Car Accidents

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Everyone knows that vehicles go through rigorous testing before they hit the market. This may give you a false sense of security about the safety of your vehicle. Vehicle defects and recalls are shockingly common and contribute to thousands of accidents and fatalities every year.

If you’ve been hurt in a crash caused by a defective vehicle, it’s time to talk to the team at The Dodd Law Firm. Find out how we can help you hold negligent manufacturers accountable. Call us at 203-272-1883 to set up a consultation now.

Defects and Recalls Are More Common Than You Think

When you learn the statistics about vehicle recalls, it’s hard to look at your car the same way again. Since 1996, when the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act was put into place, the NHTSA has been responsible for the recall of hundreds of millions of vehicles and components. These recalls include 390 million vehicles, 46 million tires, 66 million pieces of equipment, and 42 million car seats.

The defects leading to these recalls are often not caught until they cause accidents. The best-case scenario is that these accidents lead to injuries, but no fatalities. In the worst-case scenario, preventable deaths occur because of manufacturers’ failures.

There are several common types of defects leading to recalls and vehicle accidents. We’ll explore some of the most common ones below.

Tire Defects

Tire defects often lead to accidents that cause serious injuries or death. A responsible car owner keeps an eye on their tires’ air levels, tread, and material quality over time. But no matter how careful you are about tracking your tires’ maintenance needs; you can’t protect yourself against a defective tire.

A defective tire may fail at any time, causing you to lose control of your vehicle and leading to an accident. This is dangerous in any situation, but it is especially dangerous at high speeds on the highway.

Seatbelt Failures

We’ve all been told that we can rely on seatbelts to keep us safe in accidents. Today’s seatbelt is the result of years of research into ways to protect vehicle occupants while minimizing the risk of injuries caused by the seatbelts themselves. However, seatbelts aren’t infallible. When seatbelts are unsafely designed or manufactured, they can give occupants a false sense of security.

One common defect is the false latch. This occurs when an occupant buckles themselves in and hears the seatbelt click, but the seatbelt has actually not latched appropriately. The occupant has no idea until the seatbelt gives in an accident and causes them to sustain serious injuries.

Airbag Accidents

If people are aware of defective vehicle components, it’s often because they’ve heard of defective airbags. Airbags are there to cushion the blow in an accident by keeping you from hitting your face on the hard dashboard or being thrown from the vehicle. Unfortunately, airbags can fail in a variety of ways.

If an airbag does not deploy with the right amount of force, a vehicle occupant may hit their head on the vehicle. If they deploy with too little force or without any force at all, the force of the airbag could actually cause injuries that would otherwise not have happened.

Proving Liability

Proving liability can be extremely challenging in this type of situation. As you may imagine, vehicle manufacturers will go to great lengths to protect themselves from expensive lawsuits and recalls. Recalls are performed at their expense, so exposing a defect in their vehicles or vehicle components could cost them millions. For that reason, you may be stonewalled by the manufacturer if you try to hold them accountable for the accident caused by their defect.

Furthermore, people often claim vehicle defects in an attempt to escape liability. Someone who hits another car at full speed may claim that their brakes failed, only for a full investigation to show that the brakes were fully operational, and the driver just didn’t stop.

That’s why it’s so important to work with an attorney. Working with a lawyer gives you a better chance at holding negligent manufacturers accountable.

Contact The Dodd Law Firm Today

You don’t have to go up against negligent car manufacturers alone. The team at The Dodd Law Firm is here to advocate for you every step of the way. Call us at 203-272-1883 or send us a message online to set up a consultation.

Navigating Injury Claims in Multi-Vehicle Accidents

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Multi-car pileups are frightening to witness and even more traumatizing for those who are involved. Once a chain reaction starts, there’s no telling where it will stop—some multi-car pileups have left dozens dead and even more seriously injured. Unfortunately, the pain doesn’t stop there. Victims of pileup crashes often find it nearly impossible to get the compensation they deserve after a crash, simply because there are so many people and insurance companies involved.

That’s where we come in. We know how devastating a multi-car pileup can be, and we want to help you get the compensation you deserve. Call The Dodd Law Firm at 203-272-1883 to set up a consultation with our team right now.

Multi-Car Accidents Are Far More Complicated Than Two-Vehicle Collisions
Why are multi-vehicle crashes so much harder to work through than two-vehicle crashes? Simply put, there are multiple drivers and insurance parties involved, and everyone is looking out for their own best interests. In a two-vehicle crash, liability generally isn’t as complicated.

While a vehicle component failure or road defect may cause a crash, these situations are rare. In most cases, the liability falls squarely on one or both drivers. In multi-vehicle accidents, one driver could be liable—or, more likely, multiple drivers share liability. Parsing the details of the crash, especially with so many people with differing experiences, can be a logistical nightmare.

Causes of Multi-Car Accidents
Multi-car accidents are often deadly, but what causes them? A wide range of factors go into these complex collisions. Some of the most commonly reported causes include:

• Bad weather: Bad weather is a very common theme in multi-car pileups. One slick spot sends a car sliding into another vehicle, and the vehicle behind them hits that same spot before hitting both of the cars ahead of them. Before you know it, there are a dozen cars piled up on the road.
• Impaired driving: Impaired drivers often make incredibly unsafe driving decisions, which creates the perfect environment for a multi-car crash.
• Unclear signage or light failure: Even when everyone drives safely, mechanical failures can cause collisions. When signs are unclear about who should stop and who can go or traffic lights fail, crashes are inevitable.
• Distracted driving: Distracted driving is one of the most common factors across all types of collisions, including multi-vehicle accidents.
• Speeding: Speeding not only increases the risk of an accident, but it also impacts the severity of accidents.
• Fatigue: Fatigue can cause people to drift to sleep, drive off the road, or cross the median. These types of unpredictable actions make it hard for other drivers to react, increasing the likelihood of a multi-car pileup.

Figuring Out Liability
The main difficulty with liability is the fact that multiple drivers may share some blame. Consider, for example, a multi-car crash at a stoplight. A distracted driver is looking down at their phone, so they don’t notice the vehicle in front of them is stopped.

They slam into them at full speed, pushing them into the vehicle in front of them. They’re obviously liable for much of the damage—but what if the driver they hit was too close to the car in front of them, which contributed to the second accident? What if the driver they hit had stopped at a green light, and the accident could have been avoided? There’s a lot of finger-pointing after these collisions, and unless you have someone advocating for you, your claim could get lost in the shuffle.

How an Attorney Can Help
A personal injury lawyer with experience in multi-vehicle accidents can step up and fight for you throughout the claim process. They’ll be able to cut through the noise, figure out what really happened, and determine liability. From there, they can negotiate on your behalf or take your case to court to pursue the compensation you are owed.

Choose The Dodd Law Firm for Your Accident Claim
The team at The Dodd Law Firm knows how overwhelmed you must be right now. As you recover from your injuries, the last thing you want is non-stop phone calls from other drivers’ insurance companies. Let us fight for you—call us at 203-272-1883 or send us a message online to set up a consultation.

Should You Seek Medical Attention After an Accident Even If You Don’t Think You’re Hurt?

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You’ve been bitten by a dog, fallen on a slick patch of pavement outside a business, or been hit by a car. Although your pride might be hurt and you’re a little scared, you otherwise feel physically fine. What’s your next step? You might think that you just need to go home and rest until the shock of the accident wears off. However, skipping medical attention at this point is a big mistake. This choice could hurt both your physical health and your personal injury claim.

Medical attention is an essential part of any personal injury claim. Find out why you should see a doctor as soon as possible after an injury, and when you’re ready to move forward with your claim, call The Dodd Law Firm at 203-272-1883.

Prompt Medical Care Could Save Your Life

You may not feel injured after an accident, but that does not mean that you aren’t hurt. The body actively works to protect you when you’re in an accident. In preparation for fight or flight, it releases a flood of adrenaline into your body. This temporarily shuts down some functions of the body so you can focus on either fighting for yourself or getting away from danger.

Part of this response is a temporary inability to feel pain. This is supposed to give you enough time to get to a safe place before tending to your injuries. However, this can also make you falsely believe that you’ve gotten away scot-free after an accident. If you assume you’re not injured but you have serious injuries lying just below the surface, any delay in medical care could be devastating.

Delayed Injuries

You may wonder what injuries aren’t immediately visible after an accident, and the fact is that many take hours or days to appear. They include:

  • Spinal injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Whiplash
  • Internal bleeding

Some injuries are dependent on immediate testing and detection. For example, imagine you suffer a dog bite. Without proof of the dog’s rabies vaccination, you must immediately seek emergency medical care so they can take the proper steps to protect you.

A Medical Exam Links Your Injuries and the Accident

It’s obvious that medical care is a crucial part of protecting your physical health after an accident, but it’s also important for your personal injury claim. Before an insurance company will pay you what you deserve for an injury, they will need indisputable proof that your injuries are a result of their client’s actions. They will do everything in their power to find some other way that your injury could have happened.

Imagine being in a car accident. You feel okay right after, just a little worn out and rattled. As the days pass, you realize that your headache is not going away. In addition, your neck has become so stiff that you cannot turn to the right. You finally seek medical care one week after the accident.

To you, the hospital, and your insurance company, it’s clear that your injuries are the result of the accident you were in. The other party’s insurance company won’t see it that way. They’ll point out that anything could have happened between the accident and your checkup, so why should they pay for something their client didn’t cause? If they agree to pay anything, it will be minimal.

On the other hand, it is much harder to make this claim if you go to the doctor right after your accident. Immediate medical care creates a much stronger link between your accident and the injuries you suffered. As a result, the insurance company is put in a position where they have to pay a fair settlement if they want to avoid court.

Going to the doctor is the right choice for your health and your legal options, so make it a priority.

Discuss Your Case with The Dodd Law Firm

Looking for more personalized assistance with your personal injury claim? It’s time to talk to the team at The Dodd Law Firm. We’re ready to advocate for you and hold the negligent party accountable for your injuries. Set up a meeting now by calling us at 203-272-1883 or getting in touch online.

Who Is Liable in a Connecticut Rideshare (Uber) Accident?

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Ridesharing has caused a huge upset in the transportation industry, completely changing how people get around. However, with any major change in an industry comes new legal challenges. From the very beginning, rideshare users had questions—who’s responsible for accident damage? Do claims go through the driver’s personal insurance, and what happens if they deny it because the accident occurred during work?

Fortunately, it’s been several years now and these major issues have largely been decided. If you’ve been injured in a ridesharing car accident, we’ll help you figure out how to get the compensation you’re owed. Call The Dodd Law Firm at 203-272-1883 and set up a consultation with our team of experienced attorneys.

The Concept of Liability Does Not Change

First, it’s important to note that the basic concept of liability doesn’t change if one driver is working for a rideshare company. When the police respond to the scene of the accident, they will still look at the damage to both vehicles, listen to both drivers’ sides, look at the physical evidence, and issue citations if necessary. The insurance companies involved will look at the police report and other evidence to figure out whose negligence led to the accident.

It gets tricky, though, when the rideshare driver is the one found liable for the crash. In this case, it’s important to know whom to contact and how to secure fair compensation.

Insurance Coverage Matters

In personal injury claims, damages are rarely paid out by the actual negligent party. Settlements are generally paid out by the negligent party’s insurance company. When the negligent party is a rideshare driver, their personal insurance policy does not generally pay out. Note, though, that Connecticut law does require rideshare drivers to carry their own insurance. The rideshare company’s insurance policy should cover their driver’s damages.

Coverage varies. If the driver was on the app but had not yet accepted a ride request, Uber or Lyft insurance provides up to $50,000 of coverage per person up to a maximum of $100,000. If the driver has accepted a ride and is going to pick up the passenger, the policy pays up to $1,000,000.

This is in place until the passenger has been dropped off. If the rideshare driver was not logged into the app at all, their own insurance policy is used to cover accident-related expenses and settlements.

Getting Compensation After a Rideshare Accident

Don’t expect the Uber or Lyft insurance provider to treat your accident differently just because they are representing a working driver. Insurance companies, regardless of whom they represent, have the same priorities. They want to protect their shareholders and executives from financial losses, protect themselves from lawsuits, and avoid paying more than is necessary for every claim.

This means that you’ll still need to fight aggressively to get the compensation you are owed after a rideshare accident. The insurance company may use different tactics to evade liability, downplay their client’s role in the crash, or try to shift blame to a third party.

How do you get around this, especially if you’re already busy trying to recover from a serious injury? You bring in an experienced rideshare accident attorney who knows what it takes to get an insurance company to pay up. You’ll need to provide substantial evidence to prove your claim, so keep track of medical records, pictures from the crash scene, and the police report from the crash.

You may also want to keep evidence showing that it was rideshare-related. Take screenshots of your Uber or Lyft account, the specific ride you were taking when the accident occurred, and copies of any communication you had with anyone relating to the crash. Provide copies of everything to your attorney and trust them to use it in the most efficient way possible.

Contact The Dodd Law Firm Now to Start Your Rideshare Accident Claim

If you entrusted your safety to an Uber or Lyft driver and were injured in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. We’re here to talk about your accident, help you come up with a plan, and hold the negligent party accountable. Set up a time to talk with us now—just call The Dodd Law Firm at 203-272-1883 or send us a message online.

Increased Risk of Cancer for Firefighters

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Firefighters put their lives on the line every single day to protect their communities. In addition to the immediate risk of being caught in a fire, firefighters face additional health risks. Constant exposure to smoke and hazardous chemicals puts them at a substantially higher risk of developing cancer.

Those who develop an illness as a result of their line of work may be entitled to compensation. However, employers don’t always make it easy for injured employees to file a claim. Learn more about your rights and what comes next by calling The Dodd Law Firm at 475-275-8649.

What the Research Says

Numerous studies have examined the link between firefighting and subsequent cancer risk. One study, which was covered by the CDC, looked at firefighters in Chicago, Philadelphia, and San Francisco.

The multi-year study found that firefighters had a significantly higher risk of digestive, oral, respiratory, and urinary cancers than the general population. Additionally, they developed malignant mesothelioma at a rate twice that of the general population. This may be explained by exposure to asbestos. Younger firefighters experienced higher diagnosis rates of prostate and bladder cancers.

This study also looked at how often firefighters were exposed to fire. More time spent in fires was linked to a greater risk of lung cancer, and the chance of leukemia death increased with the number of fire runs each firefighter went on.

The Firefighter Cancer Support Network also follows research in this area. One study found that cancer caused 66% of firefighter deaths that happened in the line of duty between 2002 and 2019. It was the reason for 70% of line-of-duty deaths in 2016. Their analysis also shows just how much the risk for certain cancers goes up. For example, the risk of testicular cancer is two times higher, and the risk for both multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is about 1.5 times higher.

Is It a Work-Related Illness?

The workers’ compensation system helps those who are injured or become ill while working. If an employee’s illness is caused by their work, they may be entitled to compensation. Under Connecticut law, occupational diseases do qualify for compensation.

The issue is proving that your illness is work-related. While it should be relatively easy to file a workers’ compensation claim, begin receiving medical care, and get partial income repayment, some workers’ insurance compensation providers do make it more challenging.

Compensation for Work-Related Illnesses

The workers’ compensation system in Connecticut provides benefits to injured and ill workers. You may be entitled to medical care for your diagnosis and partial replacement of your lost wages. Surviving family members of someone who dies as a result of an occupational illness can receive survivors’ benefits.

Filing a Claim

In Connecticut, you have three years from the date of your first symptoms to file a workers’ compensation claim. That doesn’t mean that you should wait that long, though. The sooner you recognize worrying symptoms and get them checked out, the sooner you can begin treatment and fight for a good outcome. Additionally, this also allows you to auto-receive benefits sooner.

The process for filing an occupational disease claim is the same as filing a claim for an injury. You will report your illness to your employer, and they will file a claim on your behalf. You will need to submit corroborating documentation and follow the steps laid out by the workers’ compensation insurance provider.

When do you need an attorney? Look for any signs that your employer will refuse to file a claim on your behalf or deny your claim. If they ask leading questions that imply your diagnosis isn’t work-related or try to delay filing, they may be stalling so they can look for a valid reason for denial.

Of course, you’ll also want to consult an attorney if your claim is denied. Cancer treatment costs are extraordinarily high, and you shouldn’t be on the hook for expenses related to an occupational illness.

Start Your Claim with The Dodd Law Firm

When you’re ready to start your claim, we’re here with you every step of the way. Set up a meeting now by calling us at 475-275-8649 or sending us a message online.

Vaping Injuries

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Vaping is a trend that has exploded in popularity during the last decade, attracting teenagers and adults alike. However, it has caused a huge range of health issues and injuries. It has a reputation for being less risky than smoking and even a healthy way to stop smoking, but as injuries continue to pile up, people are starting to ask questions.

If you or someone you love has been injured while vaping, you may wonder who’s responsible and if you are entitled to compensation. Let us take a look at your case and help you with the next steps. Call The Dodd Law Firm at 475-275-8649 to set up a consultation now.

A Worrying Increase in Injuries

Unfortunately, vaping has become known by many as being a better alternative to smoking or a way to “wean off” of regular cigarettes. This has led many people to turn to vaping, not knowing just how harmful it can be to their health.

There’s a sizable body of research showing that vaping is incredibly dangerous for your health. Per Johns Hopkins Medicine, research in early 2020 found that there were nearly 3,000 cases of lung injury related to vaping and over 50 deaths resulting from lung injury. The risk is significantly higher for those who use modified vapes or non-approved liquids, including those that have THC.

Additionally, research indicates that vaping is just as addictive as smoking. People who try vaping in order to stop smoking may simply be trading one addiction for another with little to no health benefit. On top of that, not everyone who vapes is doing so because it can help them stop smoking.

Some, especially teenagers, turn to vaping because it looks cool, is convenient, and does not have the unpleasant smell of cigarettes. Vaping may actually be causing addiction in those who otherwise would never have picked up a cigarette.

Dangerous Chemicals in E-Cigarettes

Vaping liquid has a variety of chemicals that may cause serious health issues. While the liquid may not have the 7,000 or more chemicals found in a single cigarette, it’s still very dangerous.

Propylene glycol and glycerine, which can be carcinogenic under certain circumstances, are two of the most common chemicals. They also include benzoic acid, nicotine, and a variety of chemicals that create artificial flavorings. An uptick in EVALI (e-cigarette and vaping-associated lung injury) has been linked to these ingredients and those found in the modified or homemade liquid.

Who is Liable for Vaping Illnesses and Injuries?

This raises one major question: who is responsible for vaping-related injuries and who is liable for the damage they cause? Connecticut law places responsibility for unsafe or hazardous products on their manufacturers. The Connecticut Product Liability Act allows injured consumers to file claims based on negligence, strict liability, or breach of warranty.

This is a fairly nuanced area of law, as vaping is commonly known to have some degree of danger. Manufacturers may argue that users assume the risks associated with vaping when they choose to use e-cigarettes. While users may legally accept the risk of vaping when they vape, that does not allow manufacturers to act negligently in their design or marketing of products.

One issue that you may explore in a product liability claim is how vaping is marketed and how specific manufacturers market their devices. By marketing them to an audience that includes teenage users, despite the fact that Connecticut law does not allow those younger than 21 to purchase vapes, they are encouraging those at the greatest risk of injury to vape. Additionally, this marketing could encourage underage users to obtain modified or black-market vaping devices that may or may not be safe.

Another issue to look into is the actual manufacturing of the devices and the liquid used in them. If there are inherent flaws in the device or liquid, the manufacturer is responsible for those defects—even if the device itself poses an enhanced risk of health concerns.

Call The Dodd Law Firm to Discuss Your Vaping Injuries

If you or a loved one has been injured by a vaping device, don’t wait any longer to find out if you are entitled to compensation. The team at The Dodd Law Firm is ready to help. Call us at 475-275-8649 or get in touch with us online to set up a consultation.

Out of State Car Accident

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Traveling out-of-state is stressful enough, thanks to booking hotel rooms, trying to navigate an unfamiliar area, and familiarizing yourself with local speed limits and signage. It gets even worse when you’re involved in a car crash far from home. How do you get your vehicle repaired and back home? Will your trip have to be extended? How are you supposed to fight for compensation when you don’t even live where the accident happened?

You don’t have to go through this time alone. Working with an attorney local to the accident location can help you minimize your stress and focus on getting back home. Call the Dodd Law Firm at 475-275-8649 for help with your Cheshire, CT car accident.

Factors That Complicate Out-of-State Collisions

There are lots of different factors that turn an already-stressful car accident into an absolute nightmare. Read more about them below:

  • You’re dealing with different laws. No matter how familiar you are with accident laws in your home state, that knowledge may be irrelevant when you’re injured out of state. Consider, for example, contributory negligence states. If you’re from a state where you can recover compensation as long as you are less than 50% at fault, you may expect that to be the standard everywhere. Then you’re injured in an Alabama car accident, and you find out that if you are even 1% at fault you cannot be compensated for the crash. There are many state-specific laws that apply here.
  • The other driver knows the laws and locale better than you. The other driver may know local roads and laws, which may help them when it comes time to talk to the police.
  • You may not even be able to seek compensation from the other driver. If you’re hurt in a state with no-fault insurance laws, you may not be able to seek compensation from the other driver—even if they are clearly at fault. In no-fault states, both parties are compensated by their own insurance companies.
  • If your case goes to court, it will be in the state where the accident occurred. After an experience like this, you probably don’t want to go back to that state any time soon. Unfortunately, if your case goes to court, you may have to. This adds additional stress, time, and unexpected costs to your case.
  • A lawyer in your home state may not be able to help you. You will likely need an attorney who is licensed in the state where the accident occurred. This means you can’t use any of your local connections or resources to find the best attorney for your situation.

What About Your Insurance?

Fortunately, your insurance policy doesn’t change from state to state. Report the accident to them in a timely manner, cooperate with their investigation, and know that you’ll likely still get the same service and coverage that you would get for an accident at home.

Your Next Steps

We know you’re overwhelmed and frustrated by your situation, but don’t lose hope. You have options. We recommend:

  • Talking to an attorney. Find an attorney licensed in the state where the accident occurred. They can give you an overview of the state’s personal injury and motor vehicle crash laws, and if they are familiar with your home state, they can explain how those laws differ. Find out how these differences may affect your claim and what you should do next.
  • Holding off on talking to the other party’s insurance company. The other party’s insurance provider may come after you fairly quickly, looking for a recorded statement or your side of the story. Don’t talk to them yet. Wait until you have advice from your attorney before moving forward.
  • Seeking medical care. It’s crucial to get checked out after an accident. You’ll want immediate detection and treatment for life-threatening injuries that may be lying in wait.

Reach Out to the Team at the Dodd Law Firm Now

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Connecticut, we’re here to help. Schedule a consultation with the Dodd Law Firm now to learn more about your options. Just reach out online or call our team at 475-275-8649.

Should I Be in a Hurry to Return to Work After a Personal Injury?

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Recently, accidental injuries became the number three cause of death in the U.S. for the first time according to figures from the National Safety Council. In one year alone, fatalities from preventable injuries rose 10%. Americans are hurt every second on average, and someone loses their life every three minutes in our nation.

Preventable events include things like auto and truck accidents, drowning incidents, poisoning, falls, and workplace accidents. If you’ve been involved in an accident, your priority should be your health and well-being. But what if you have bills to pay and need to get back to work? When you should return to work after an accident depends on a variety of factors, but it might not be the best idea to rush back to your job if you’re hurt.

When Do You Have to Return to Work?

You don’t have to return to work after an injury but failing to do so at the proper time could put your job in jeopardy. Like nearly all states, Connecticut is an “employment-at-will” state, meaning an employer can generally terminate their relationship with an employee for any reason and at any time. But there are some exceptions.

If you have an employment contract or are part of a collective bargaining agreement, your employer isn’t supposed to fire you without cause. You also have protections for military service, jury duty, and certain other court appearances.

Assuming your injury is work-related and covered by workers’ compensation insurance, your employer is required to hold your job or something equivalent open as long as you are still trying to return to work.

But what if you were in a car accident or had a slip and fall at a neighbor’s house? Unfortunately, employers don’t owe you the same consideration, but you do have some options.

Time Off of Work for Non-Work-Related Injuries

As a general rule, you can’t demand that your employer do much for you after you’ve been injured, except what is required by law. The good news is that you do have some rights, and probably a few benefits, that you can use for time off after an injury that was not work-related.

Paid Sick and Vacation Leave

Many employees accrue paid sick and vacation leave, although this is not granted by law for private enterprises. Although you can’t demand it, you can ask to be allowed to take your sick and vacation leave while you recover from your injury.

Leave Under the Family Medical Leave Act

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) gives injured or sick employees and immediate family members up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for a long list of covered conditions. After 12 weeks, you are supposed to get your same position back or one that is equivalent.

Work Under the Americans with Disabilities Act

You may be able to return to work only part-time or to light duty if you qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If your injury or illness qualifies, this requires that an employer transfer you to a position, if it is available, or make reasonable accommodations.

The Dangers of Returning to Work Too Quickly

When you’ve been seriously injured, it’s not always the best idea to return to work immediately. As an employee, you have value for your company, and you probably need the wages and benefits. But, heading back to work too soon might not be in the best interests of either you or your employer.

If you have a work-related injury, you can’t return to work until you have a medical release from your treating physician. If you are released to light duty, and your employer makes this available, you’ll need to return to your job, or you will forfeit your benefits.

When it comes to non-work-related injuries, you should likewise wait until a doctor clears you to return to work. If you go back to work too soon, there’s a chance that you’ll suffer an additional injury on the job.

Assuming a physician does release you to return to work, it’s always possible that you might not feel physically or emotionally ready. In this situation, you can request a second opinion before taking any action that could jeopardize your health or the outcome of a pending injury claim.

When It’s Time to Get Help with Your Injury

Knowing what to do and where to turn after an injury can be confusing when you are faced with physical and financial challenges. At the Dodd Law Firm, we advocate for the rights of accident injury victims throughout Connecticut.

Contact our office today at 203-272-1883 or message us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.