Workers’ compensation laws usually cover injuries and illnesses that occur at a workplace. These laws provide benefits to employees who have suffered injuries or illnesses as a result of their job. In return for these benefits, employees give up the right to sue their employers for the personal injury caused by their employment.
This means that if you are injured on the job, workers’ compensation should be your only remedy. But what happens when your employer denies your claim? The process of recovering workers’ compensation benefits can be difficult. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help you navigate the system and protect your rights.
What’s a Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a state-mandated insurance program that compensates employees who suffer job-related injuries and illnesses. The program generally provides six primary benefits. These include;
- Complementary job displacement benefits
- Medical care
- Temporary disability benefits
- Death and vocational rehabilitation benefits
- Permanent disability benefits
Although your employer must carry workers’ compensation insurance, you will likely not receive the full amount of benefits you deserve by simply filing a claim with the insurance company. Insurance companies are in business to make a profit and will often lowball your settlement offer or deny your claim outright.
Hire a Workers’ Compensation Attorney
You should not try to handle a dispute with your employer alone. You should hire an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. An attorney will investigate your case and fight to ensure that you receive all the benefits you are entitled to under the law.
Having an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer handle your case can help ensure that you receive the maximum amount of financial assistance to which you are entitled.
Your lawyer can evaluate your case and determine if there is any basis for a third-party claim against someone other than your employer. For example, if the injury occurred because of a defective product or the negligence of a subcontractor, you may have grounds for such a lawsuit.
Here are some of the ways a workers’ compensation lawyer can help you:
- Investigate your claim: A qualified workers’ compensation lawyer will know how to gather evidence to support your claim and present that evidence in the most compelling way possible.
- Handle paperwork: There’s a lot of paperwork involved with filing a workers’ compensation claim, including filling out forms and documenting your injury. A lawyer can help you ensure all necessary paperwork is completed and filed properly.
- Negotiate with the insurance provider: The insurance company may not always offer you what you deserve, but an experienced attorney will know when to negotiate with them and when to take them to court. An attorney may also negotiate for a larger settlement than if you were on your own.
Get Advice From A Professional
Once you’ve been involved in an accident at work, the first thing that you should do is to seek medical treatment right away. Afterward, report the accident to your supervisor as soon as possible and notify them about your injuries via email or letter. You should also ask for a written explanation regarding what happened and why it happened. Keep copies of all documents related to your injury and get advice from an expert to know your rights. It’s important to note that if you don’t inform your employer within 30 days of your accident, you might risk losing your workers’ compensation benefits. Once you hire an attorney, they will guide you about the whole process and help with all the paperwork necessary for the filing
