Work Injury Attorney in Ingham County

Legal Help For Injured Workers In This Area

A sudden injury at work can turn your life upside down. One day you are earning a paycheck, the next, you may be in pain, missing work, and trying to make sense of confusing workers' compensation forms. If you were hurt on the job and are unsure what to do next, Steele & Ferguson, P.C. is here to help you understand your options.

We focus our practice on helping Michigan workers with job injuries and related disability claims. Our attorneys have spent decades guiding people who are worried about medical bills, lost wages, and what will happen with their jobs. We know that many workers feel alone when an employer or insurance company is slow to respond or denies a claim.

Get a free case review from Steele & Ferguson, P.C. now before deadlines cut off your benefits.

Why Injured Workers Turn To Steele & Ferguson, P.C.

Choosing the right legal team after a job injury can feel overwhelming. You may be searching for answers late at night and hoping to find someone who has dealt with situations like yours many times before. At Steele & Ferguson, P.C., our practice has been built around workers' compensation and social security Disability insurance for Michigan workers.

Our attorneys have more than 30 years of focused practice in this area of law. Over that time, we have handled tens of thousands of work injury and disability cases for people in automotive, healthcare, construction, manufacturing, and many other industries. Those cases have resulted in between $150 and $200 million in benefits for our clients. 

We regularly help workers whose initial claims were denied or delayed because of missing documentation, application errors, or questions about whether the injury is work-related. Our firm is based in Flint, but we represent workers throughout Michigan, including those who live or work in Ingham County and nearby communities. When injuries make travel difficult, we can arrange meetings in ways that are easier for you, including visits to your home when appropriate.

Most importantly, we treat every case as a real person's livelihood. We strive to listen carefully, answer your questions in plain language, and tailor our approach to your medical situation, job duties, and family needs. Our long history in the Flint community and our work with clients across the state guide how we advocate for every injured worker who comes to us.

After A Work Injury In This Area: Steps To Protect Yourself

The hours and days after a workplace injury are often hectic and confusing. You may be trying to manage pain, see a doctor, and keep your employer informed all at once. Taking a few key steps can make a real difference for your health and for any future workers' compensation or disability claim.

Report Your Injury Quickly

First, report the injury to your employer as soon as you can. Many workplaces have specific procedures or forms for reporting injuries. Try to follow those procedures, and be as clear and accurate as possible about what happened, when it happened, and every part of your body that hurts. If you work at a facility in or around Lansing or another part of Ingham County, make sure the incident is documented at that location, not just mentioned verbally.

Get Medical Care & Keep Records

Second, seek medical care right away, even if you hope the pain will fade on its own. Some injuries, especially to the back, neck, or joints, may seem minor at first but become more serious over time. Tell the medical provider that this was a work injury, so that your records reflect the connection to your job. Keep copies of any visit summaries, test results, and restrictions that your doctor provides.

Stay Organized & Watch For Red Flags

Third, keep your own records. This can include a simple notebook where you write down your symptoms, missed days of work, conversations with supervisors, and any letters or emails from the insurance company. Save copies of any accident reports, emails, and medical records in one place. If something seems unclear, such as being sent to a particular clinic or being asked to sign a form you do not understand, that is often a good time to talk with a work injury lawyer about your rights.

Finally, pay attention to warning signs. These may include a claim that your injury does not qualify, a delay in authorizing treatment, pressure to return to full duty before you feel ready, or sudden changes in how your employer treats you. When these issues arise, many workers benefit from speaking with an attorney who regularly handles Michigan workers' compensation matters and can explain your options before problems grow.

Common Job Injuries & Claim Problems We See

No two workplaces are exactly alike, but many work injuries and claim issues follow familiar patterns. Understanding that others have faced similar challenges can make it easier to see where you stand and what can be done next. Our team has worked with injured workers in factories, hospitals, offices, schools, construction sites, and public agencies throughout Michigan, including in Ingham County.

Injuries That Frequently Affect Workers

Some of the injuries we frequently see include strains and sprains to the back, neck, and shoulders from lifting or repetitive tasks. We also see knee and hip injuries from climbing, kneeling, or working on hard surfaces, as well as carpal tunnel and other repetitive use conditions that develop over time. Falls from ladders, slips on wet floors, and injuries from machinery can lead to fractures, head injuries, and other serious conditions that may keep you off the job for weeks or months.

Issues That Can Disrupt Your Claim

Along with the physical harm, there are common claim problems that can stand between an injured worker and the benefits they hoped to receive. Initial workers' compensation claims are sometimes denied because of missing paperwork, incomplete medical records, or disputes about whether the injury truly happened at work. In some cases, a form might have been filled out incorrectly, or an important deadline might have been missed before the worker fully understood the process.

We also see disputes about whether a worker can safely return to their job, especially in physically demanding roles like nursing, factory work, or construction. An employer or insurance company may rely on a brief medical exam to say that you are ready, even when your treating doctor has more concerns. Over the years, we have developed strategies for addressing these types of issues, such as working with medical evidence, clarifying job duties, and correcting errors that can hurt a claim.

If you recognize some of these patterns in your own situation, you are not alone. Our work injury lawyer team has guided many clients through similar problems and can talk with you about practical steps for your specific circumstances.

How Our Work Injury Lawyers Help Workers In Ingham County

When you are dealing with a job injury, it helps to have someone on your side who understands both the law and how these cases unfold in real life. At Steele & Ferguson, P.C., we focus on representing injured workers in Michigan workers' compensation claims and related Social Security Disability matters. We work to shoulder some of the burden so that you can focus more on your health.

Support With Workers' Compensation Claims

In a typical workers' compensation case, we review how the injury happened, your medical history, and your job duties. We then help gather and organize records so that your claim more clearly explains your condition. If your claim was denied or delayed, we look closely at the reasons given and identify what may be missing, such as specific medical opinions or employment details. Our experience with thousands of cases helps us spot common issues that are easy to overlook if you are handling everything alone.

Help With Long-Term Disability & SSDI

When a work injury leads to long term disability, many people also need help with Social Security Disability Insurance. Our attorneys handle SSDI matters as well, so we can discuss how these systems may interact and how to approach both in a coordinated way. We aim to help you avoid conflicting information and reduce the stress of managing multiple claims at once.

Accessible Representation For Local Workers

Although our office is located in Flint, we regularly represent workers who live or work in Ingham County, including those employed in and around Lansing and other nearby communities. We understand that travel can be difficult when you are in pain or dealing with mobility limits. When needed, we can arrange phone conferences, video meetings, or home visits so that distance does not prevent you from getting legal guidance.

If you are searching for a workplace injury attorney Ingham County residents can turn to for focused help with job injuries, we are prepared to talk with you about your situation. We can explain how the law applies to your case, what to expect at each stage, and how we work to protect your benefits and your ability to provide for your household.

What To Expect When You Contact Our Firm

Reaching out to a law firm can feel like a big step, especially when you are already under stress from a work injury. Knowing what to expect can make that first call or message more comfortable. 

Your Initial Consultation

During an initial consultation, we typically ask about your job, how the injury occurred, what treatment you have received, and the current status of any workers' compensation or disability claim. We review any documents you already have, such as claim forms, letters from the insurance company, or medical reports. This helps us identify pressing issues, such as approaching deadlines, gaps in documentation, or signs that the claim is being challenged.

How Fees Typically Work

We can also discuss how legal fees usually work in workers' compensation and SSDI matters. In these types of cases, clients generally do not pay upfront legal fees. Instead, fees are often based on a portion of benefits recovered, subject to rules that apply in Michigan and in federal disability claims. We will explain the details clearly before you decide whether to move forward, so you understand how costs are handled.

Communication & Ongoing Support

Communication is a central part of how we work. If we take your case, we strive to keep you informed about important developments, upcoming hearings or evaluations, and any requests from the insurance company. We encourage questions and make a point of using everyday language rather than legal jargon. Whether you are calling from Flint, Ingham County, or another part of the state, our aim is to make you feel supported and informed, not left in the dark.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do first after getting hurt at work?

The first steps after a job injury are to protect your health and make sure the incident is properly documented. You should report the injury to your supervisor or employer as soon as possible, following any internal reporting procedures your workplace has in place. Try to give a clear description of what you were doing, how the injury happened, and every area that hurts, even if the pain seems mild at first.

You should also see a medical provider quickly and tell them that your injury is related to your job. This creates a record that links your condition to your work activities, which can be important for any workers' compensation claim. Keep copies of any forms, work restrictions, or visit summaries you receive. If you are unsure whether you are following the right steps, a conversation with our team can help you understand what Michigan law generally requires and how to protect your rights early on.

Do I need a lawyer if my workers' comp claim was denied?

If your workers' compensation claim has been denied, speaking with an attorney can be very helpful. Denials often involve legal or procedural issues such as missed deadlines, incomplete records, or disputes about whether your job caused the injury. Our attorneys have spent more than 30 years dealing with these kinds of denials and have seen many of the reasons insurance companies give for turning claims down.

When you contact us, we can review the denial letter, look at the documents that were submitted, and identify what may be missing or misunderstood. We can then discuss next steps, which may include appealing the decision, gathering additional medical evidence, or clarifying how your job duties contributed to your injury. While no attorney can promise a particular outcome, having a job injury lawyer review your situation often gives you a clearer picture of your options and the risks of moving forward alone.

Can you help me if I live or work in Ingham County?

Yes, we represent workers who live or work in Ingham County, as well as throughout the rest of Michigan. Our main office is in Flint, but our practice has always been statewide. Many of our clients work in or around Lansing, at hospitals, factories, schools, and public agencies, and we are familiar with the types of injuries that can arise in those settings.

We know that travel can be difficult if you are recovering from a serious injury. That is why we offer flexible options for meetings, including phone calls, video conferences, and, when needed, visits to your home. Our goal is to make it practical for you to get legal guidance, even if you cannot easily come to our office. If you are looking for a job injury attorney Ingham County workers can rely on, we are ready to talk with you about your specific circumstances.

How do legal fees work for a work injury case?

Most injured workers are understandably worried about the cost of hiring an attorney, especially if they are not receiving a full paycheck. In workers' compensation and SSDI matters, attorneys typically work on a contingency fee basis. That generally means you do not pay upfront legal fees, and fees are based on a portion of the benefits obtained, subject to rules that apply in these systems.

At Steele & Ferguson, P.C., we offer free initial consultations so that you can talk with us about your case before making any decisions. During that conversation, we explain in detail how fees would work in your situation, including any limits set by Michigan law or federal regulations for disability claims. Our aim is to make sure you understand the financial side of representation clearly, so that cost does not stand in the way of getting advice about your rights.

What kinds of job injuries does your firm handle?

We handle a wide range of work injuries for employees across many industries. This includes sudden injuries from accidents, such as falls, equipment incidents, or lifting heavy objects, as well as conditions that develop over time, like repetitive motion injuries, back and neck problems, and joint issues. We also represent workers with more serious injuries that may lead to long-term disability and require ongoing medical care.

Our clients include people who work in automotive plants, healthcare facilities, construction sites, offices, warehouses, and public service roles. Whether your job involves physical labor, standing for long periods, or detailed manual work, we can review how your duties relate to your medical condition. If you are unsure whether your injury is something we handle, a conversation with our attorneys can help clarify whether a workers' compensation or SSDI claim may be appropriate.

Can I get both workers' comp and Social Security Disability?

In some situations, an injured worker may receive both workers' compensation benefits and Social Security Disability Insurance. Whether that is possible for you depends on several factors, including the severity and expected duration of your medical condition, your work history, and how much you are receiving from workers' compensation. These systems have rules that may affect how benefits interact, including possible offsets.

Because our firm handles both workers' compensation and SSDI matters, we can help you understand how these programs may apply to your situation. During a consultation, we can discuss your work history, medical limitations, and current benefits, then explain whether applying for SSDI in addition to a work-related claim might make sense. While we cannot promise that any particular claim will be approved, we can guide you through the process and help you avoid common mistakes.

What happens during my first meeting with your attorneys?

Your first meeting with our firm is designed to be a low-pressure conversation where you can share your story and get clear information. We usually begin by asking you to describe your job, how the injury occurred, what symptoms you are experiencing, and what treatment you have received so far. We also look at any paperwork you bring, such as injury reports, claim forms, or letters from the insurance company.

From there, we explain how Michigan workers' compensation and SSDI generally work, how your situation fits into those systems, and what options may be available. We also talk about how we handle communication, what you can expect if we move forward together, and how fees would be handled in your case. You will have an opportunity to ask questions, and there is no obligation to hire us at the end of that meeting. Our goal is for you to leave with a better understanding of your rights and the next steps that might help you move forward.

Talk With Our Team About Your Work Injury

If you have been injured at work and are worried about paying bills, getting proper medical care, or dealing with a denied claim, you do not have to face these problems alone. Steele & Ferguson, P.C. has spent decades helping Michigan workers navigate the workers' compensation and disability systems, including many people who live and work in Ingham County and the surrounding area.

When you contact us, you can speak with attorneys who focus on job injury and disability cases, who have handled thousands of claims, and who are committed to giving you clear, practical guidance. We offer free consultations and flexible meeting options so that getting help is as straightforward as possible. If travel is difficult because of your injury, we can discuss arrangements that work for you.

To talk with our team about your situation and learn how our work injury attorney can assist you, call (810) 645-9147 or reach out to us online today.