Have you been hurt on the job and it’s been affecting your ability to work your normal schedule or take care of your family? Are you worried about whether or not you’ll ever be able to fully recover and how this may affect your future employment and ability to earn a living? If so, you may be hoping that your workers compensation plan will pay out enough to cover bills and keep you afloat until you can recover enough to return to work. However, obtaining your benefits may not be as straightforward as you would think. That’s where a workers compensation attorney comes in.
Here is how a Richmond workers compensation lawyer can help you get the benefits your deserve.
They Can Evaluate Your Eligibility for Benefits
When you work with a Richmond workers compensation lawyer, he can help evaluate your eligibility for benefits and make sure you have a claim to them. For example, the law states that an individual needs to report their injury to a supervisor within 30 days of the injury as well as file a claim with the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission. If you are still within your window, your attorney can help you file the claim and make sure you get the benefits you deserve.
They Can Help You Get the Most Benefits
There are a variety of benefits you may be awarded through your compensation claim. You should receive compensation for your medical expenses that arise from the treatment of your injury you suffered on the job. You may also be able to get a lifetime medical award for your injuries and subsequent conditions as well as receiving benefits to cover wage loss. You may be able to get temporary total disability benefits for up to 500 weeks if you have a complete inability to work and lesser benefits if your ability to work is compromised. Your Richmond workers compensation lawyer may also be able to help you get permanent partial disability benefits that could compensate you for the rest of your life.
They Can Handle Communication with the Insurance Agency
Your benefits will likely be paid through a workers compensation insurance agency and not directly through your employer. The actual amount of benefits will sometimes need to be negotiated, a process that can be frustrating or tedious. Your Richmond workers compensation lawyer will handle all communication with the insurance agency to secure a fair settlement for your losses.
They Can Represent You in Court if Needed
In some cases, your claim will be denied and you and your Richmond workers compensation lawyer will have to make the decision about whether or not you should file a lawsuit. If you do, you will proceed to court and your attorney will represent you every step of the way to make sure your rights are upheld.
Working with a Richmond Workers Compensation Lawyer
If you’ve been hurt on the job, it could have lifelong consequences. To make sure you can continue to take care of yourself and your family as you recover, you need to reach out to a Richmond workers compensation lawyer to ensure you get the benefits you are entitled to.
