Greeley Work Injury Attorneys

If you get hurt or sick because of your job, there’s a good chance it counts as a work injury under Colorado workers’ compensation laws. Workers’ comp doesn’t just cover traumatic injuries from single accidents—it also includes injuries and illnesses caused by repeated exposure or strain.

Here’s what typically qualifies as a work injury under Colorado law:

• One-time injuries. If you slip and fall, get hit by a forklift, suffer burns, or break your fingers after getting stuck in equipment, that’s a work-related injury. These are the most obvious claims and usually the easiest to prove.
• Repetitive motion injuries. Not all injuries happen in an instant. If you develop chronic pain in your hands, shoulders, knees, neck or back from years of repetitive tasks (like lifting, bending, typing, or using tools), workers’ comp can cover it. Carpal tunnel, tendonitis, and herniated discs are common examples of repetitive stress injuries.
• Occupational diseases and illnesses. If your job exposed you to toxic chemicals, dust, loud noise, or other harmful conditions over time that led to a serious illness or permanent condition, it may be considered a work injury. This includes lung diseases like silicosis or popcorn lung from inhaling toxic fumes or substances, hearing loss from noisy machinery, or even cancer linked to workplace exposure.

If your injury or illness is work-related or even if your workplace made a pre-existing condition worse, you have a right to workers’ compensation benefits.

Unfortunately, tying some conditions directly to your job can be tricky, especially those that develop over time or can be caused by factors outside of work.

For example, lead poisoning is a serious risk for workers in foundries, mines, and other industrial jobs where exposure to lead dust or fumes is common. However, because lead can also come from old paint, contaminated water, or other environmental sources, insurance companies often argue that a worker’s job isn’t to blame—making it harder to get workers’ comp benefits.

That’s why it’s critical to get medical treatment as soon as possible and document everything. If your claim gets denied, an experienced Greeley work injury attorney can help you fight back and get the benefits you deserve.

If you’ve been injured on the job in Colorado, workers’ compensation can help cover your medical bills and lost wages—but you don’t automatically receive benefits, even if your employer witnessed the accident.

To qualify, you must be a legal employee (not an independent contractor), and you need to follow specific steps to file your CO workers’ comp claim properly.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Get medical care right away. If you suffer a serious or catastrophic injury, seek medical treatment immediately from the nearest provider. In non-emergency cases, you must see a doctor who’s been approved by your employer. Medical records are key to proving your injury happened at work, so be sure to tell the doctor it’s work-related.
2. Report your injury to your employer. In most cases, you must report the injury within 10 days, preferably in writing, to create a record. For injuries or illnesses that develop slowly over time, you typically have 10 days from the date you receive a diagnosis. If you wait too long, you could lose your right to benefits.
3. File Form WC 15. To officially start your workers’ comp claim, file a “Worker’s Claim for Compensation” (Form WC 15) with the Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation. You have up to 2 years to file, but the sooner you do this, the better.
4. Wait for a decision on your claim. Once you report your injury, your employer must notify their insurance company, which has 20 days to accept or deny your claim. Workers typically receive a decision within 30 days of reporting their injuries.
5. Contact an attorney. If your claim is denied, delayed, or undervalued, an experienced Colorado workers’ comp attorney can help you appeal the decision.

The bottom line: Never assume your employer or their insurance company will do the right thing—always follow these steps and take action to protect your rights after an injury at work.

To get workers’ comp benefits, you need clear proof that your injury, illness, or disease came from your job—not something outside of work. The stronger your evidence, the better your chances of getting your claim approved.

For sudden injuries—like breaking an arm in a machine accident—your best proof is a doctor’s report from right after it happened, confirming it’s work-related (e.g., “Patient fractured radius while operating a hydraulic press at work”). Pair that with an incident report you filed with your employer that same day, and you’ve got a solid foundation.

For illnesses or conditions that develop over time—like lung disease from inhaling silica dust—proof can be trickier but still possible. A medical diagnosis from an employer-approved physician linking your condition to work, payroll records showing the length of time you’ve been employed and exposed to the hazard, and even OSHA reports flagging unsafe conditions at your job can all help connect the dots.

Witness statements from coworkers, safety reports, texts or emails you sent about unsafe work conditions, and photos or videos of hazardous conditions can also strengthen your case, so be sure to document and save everything.

Even with solid proof, insurance companies often try to deny claims, especially for long-term illnesses or repetitive stress injuries. That’s why having a local Greeley workers’ compensation lawyer is critical. They know how to obtain the right evidence, challenge unfair denials, and fight for the benefits you deserve.