According to research conducted in 2016, it was shown that every seven seconds that pass, a worker in the United States suffers a work-related injury, demonstrating simply just how frequent workplace injuries are in the country.
You may be eligible for workers’ compensation if you have been injured while on the job. Depending on the severity of your injury and the complexity of your case, you might want to hire a workers’ comp lawyer. This person is an expert in the field and will advise if you want to start proceedings.
If you are still hesitant about seeking guidance from workers’ compensation lawyers, here is a brief list of five signs you need to win your case.
Your employer denies your claim
You’d be surprised to learn that there have been many cases where employees filed a claim for injuries, but their employer denied them.
Such claim denial usually occurs because the worker failed to notify their superiors of the injury. The injury is not reported and becomes severe over time, causing disruption in the employee’s daily life and the ability to perform their job efficiently.
After the employee files their claim, the employer’s insurer reviews it thoroughly, which may take time. How long it will take depends on the rules and regulations of the state the employee works in. For example, in California, it takes to approve or deny a claim is 90 days, whereas, in Nevada, it is 30 days.
In case the employer doesn’t respond to the claim promptly, this is where the workers’ comp lawyer can come in to help the employee get the benefits and money they deserve.
The settlement offer doesn’t cover your losses
It is no secret that most insurers will often try to lower the amount of claims payment. They will offer a lower settlement than you deserve as the injured party.
As soon as the insurer has made its offer, the workers’ compensation judge will decide whether or not to accept it. If the amount offered is unfair, the judge will sign off quickly and give their approval.
Unfortunately, this could mean that your settlement amount may not be enough to cover all of your losses. This is another sign that indicates it is time to seek advice and guidance from a trustworthy workers’ comp lawyer to help you win the case.
Only part of your medical bills is covered
Another sign that indicates you will benefit from hiring a workers’ comp lawyer is if the settlement offer only covers part of your medical bills.
Generally, a rating system is used to determine most workers’ compensation settlement amounts. A doctor would assess you and assign you a rating based on how severely you have been injured. The insurance company uses this information to determine how much settlement money you should receive.
Insurers can challenge your initial rating and ask you to undergo an independent medical exam (IME) by a doctor of your choice. This doctor may give you a lower rating, meaning the insurance company will pay you less. A workers’ compensation lawyer can represent you against such actions and help you get the money you deserve.
You suffer from partial or total disability
Recent research has shown that permanent disabilities can decrease the income of injured workers by up to 30% in their first year. This means that an injured worker could lose even more money as their disability gets worse.
Many states have strict requirements that companies pay for total or partial disabilities. To receive more compensation, you should speak immediately with a worker’s comp lawyer, mainly if your injury results in permanent disability.
Because these cases can be very complicated and have a significant effect on your overall well-being, it is crucial that you have a professional by your side to help ensure that you won’t suffer any losses and will get paid a fair amount.
Final thoughts
If you have suffered any injury on the job, you must file a claim immediately. If your employer denies your claim or the insurance company delays your payment, you should seek legal advice from a reputable workers’ comp lawyer to guide you through the process and help protect your rights.
This lawyer is an expert in the field and will use their knowledge and expertise to negotiate the case and help you get the compensation you deserve.
