Workplace Injuries in Wisconsin

If you were hurt on the job or lost a loved one due to a workplace accident, you have probably been told that your losses will be handled through workers’ compensation. Yet workers’ compensation alone may not be enough to cover your medical bills and your loss of income. Following a workplace accident, it’s imperative that you know your legal rights. The Wisconsin workplace injury lawyers of Bye, Goff & Rohde are here to help.

Speaking to our workplace injury lawyers in Eau Claire, River Falls, and La Crosse is your first step to recovering compensation for the physical, mental, and emotional suffering you have endured due to an on-the-job accident. Serious injuries call for serious lawyers. At Bye, Goff & Rohde, our attorneys have over 180 years of combined experience. Our law firm will help injured Wisconsin workers and grieving families get everything they are entitled to.

Understanding Workplace Injuries in Wisconsin

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 2.6 million non-fatal work injuries in 2023; there were 5,283 fatal work injuries in 2023.

Workplace injuries can range from sudden traumatic incidents to gradual harm, and they leave a lasting impact on your health, income, and well-being. These injuries are often the result of lifting heavy objects, operating equipment or heavy machinery, exposure to toxic substances, or repetitive strain.

Workplace injuries typically lead to mounting medical bills, lost wages, and stress. If the on-the-job injury disrupts your ability to work or support your family, you may not know how to adapt or make ends meet. That’s why you need our law firm on your side.

Legal Rights for Injured Wisconsin Workers and Their Families

Every employer has the legal responsibility to keep the workplace up to a certain standard of safety. This means marking unsafe items, ensuring employees are properly trained and equipped with safety equipment, and maintaining the workplace environment. A workplace injury can cause serious, life-threatening repercussions. Your health is on the line, and so is your future income.

If you or someone you love has suffered a workplace injury, the most important thing to remember is that there is always hope for recovery and improvement. It may take time, patience, and a complete life adjustment, but with the right attitude and the right financial assistance, anything is possible. The Wisconsin workplace injury lawyers of Bye, Goff & Rohde can help you and your family get back on the right track.

Why Workplace Injuries Require Specialized Legal Support

Navigating the workers’ compensation system in Wisconsin is rarely straightforward. While the law is designed to provide support for injured workers, the process is riddled with red tape, strict deadlines, and insurance adjusters who often aim to minimize or deny valid claims. From securing medical treatment to calculating disability payments and handling vocational rehabilitation, every step can become a battle without experienced representation. 

Employers and insurers may dispute the severity of your injuries or argue that the injury didn’t arise out of your workplace conditions. That’s why you need a legal team well-versed in workplace injury law and adept at advocating for injured workers, especially in Wisconsin, where business practices, regional economic pressures, and local administrative procedures may influence your case.

In addition to workers’ compensation claims, an experienced Wisconsin workplace injury attorney can determine if you can file a third-party claim to receive additional compensation on top of your workers’ comp benefits.

Common Causes and Types of Workplace Injuries

Many workplace injuries throughout Wisconsin are consistent with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)’s Focus Four, which are the four leading causes of fatal workplace accidents. This includes:

• Falls
• Caught-in or in-between accidents
• Struck-by accidents
• Electrocution

Some of the most common injuries at workplaces throughout the state of Wisconsin include:

• Back and neck injuries
• Repetitive motion injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries (SCI)
• Bone fractures
• Loss of limbs
• Burn injuries
• Hearing loss
• Respiratory disease
• Musculoskeletal disorders

Serious on-the-job injuries can substantially affect your ability to work and may require serious medical attention.

Why Workers’ Compensation May Not Cover All Your Needs

Workplace injuries can be quite complex, which is why all companies must include workers’ compensation rights in their employee regulations. However, if an employee suffers a serious or long-term injury in the workplace, workers’ compensation is often not enough to fund ongoing medical treatments for lasting physical damage. Furthermore, most insurance companies will not pay for your full medical treatment needs, including medications, doctor and specialist visits, and/or complete loss of income due to disability.

Another issue regarding workers’ compensation claims is that the insurance agency is not on your side. They will try everything in their power to avoid making payouts to the injured parties. This can be frustrating, stressful, and hurtful, to say the least. Our article, “How Insurance Companies Handle Slip-and-Fall and What to Watch Out For” gives one example of how insurance companies are not on your side for helping to manage workplace injuries. 

Knowledgeable legal representation is essential to secure the benefits you deserve and to identify the potential for additional compensation through a third-party claim. That’s where Bye, Goff & Rohde can help.

The Legal Process for Workplace Injury Claims

When a workplace injury occurs, time matters. The first step is always to notify your employer and seek medical attention. Then consult quickly with a qualified Wisconsin injury attorney to ensure that your claim is correctly filed and all steps—medical documentation, reporting, appeals—are handled. Early legal involvement helps preserve evidence and builds a stronger case, especially if your employer or insurer disputes the claim.

Your attorney at Bye Goff & Rohde in Wisconsin gathers medical records and expert opinions to support your disability or injury severity. If the claim is denied or undervalued, your attorney may help you appeal, appear at hearings, or negotiate settlements. This advocacy continues until you receive every available benefit—whether it’s medical payments, wage replacement, rehabilitation services, or structured settlements.

If third-party liability exists, our lawyers can file a lawsuit on your behalf to add additional recovery.

Securing Full Compensation After a Workplace Accident

With a workplace injury, recovering isn’t limited to paying your current medical bills. You may need ongoing therapy, long-term care, assistive devices, and vocational retraining if your capacity to work is permanently altered. Compensation should reflect not only medical expenses and lost wages but also future loss of earning capacity and diminished quality of life.

In the case of fatal workplace accidents, families deserve death benefits that cover funeral costs, pain and suffering, and financial support for the household due to the family member’s death. A strong claim accounts for all these factors to secure equitable results.

Local Knowledge Matters for Workers in Eau Claire, River Falls & La Crosse

Bye Goff & Rohde was founded in 1974 and has always advocated for the people of Wisconsin. Over the years, our lawyers have built relationships with local health care providers who can perform independent medical evaluations and vocational experts who can evaluate injuries.

Our attorneys know how to tailor cases to community norms and values, which can give you an advantage while presenting your case.

Whether you’re a factory worker in River Falls who lost a limb because of faulty machinery, an agricultural worker in Eau Claire who strained your back because of lifting a heavy load at the farm, or a nurse in La Crosse who slipped and fell while working at the hospital, our lawyers can give you the support and guidance you need to seek compensation and recover.

Contact Our Workplace Injury Lawyers in Wisconsin

If you’ve suffered an on-the-job injury in Eau Claire, River Falls, or La Crosse, our workplace accident attorneys are here to help. You don’t have to face the system alone. To request a free legal consultation with our experienced team of workplace injury lawyers, contact our Wisconsin law offices today. At Bye, Goff & Rohde, workers can trust us to get results