When you are injured at work, it seems like the whole case is straightforward. You should receive workers’ compensation, and that’s the end of it.
Unfortunately, as anyone who’s spent any time working with a bureaucracy, this isn’t the case. Most of the time, there’s some sort of foot-dragging involved on the part of those who should be compensating you.
If you find that you aren’t getting the help you deserve, a personal injury attorney can help you navigate the workers’ compensation paperwork, and ensure that you are properly represented so that you receive what’s fair.
Reluctant Payouts
Your employer is supposed to pay into your state’s workers’ compensation fund or insurance program. That way, if you are injured on the job, the fund or program makes payments to you. These payments are designed to help you offset the medical costs involved with your injury, as well as provide you with compensation for lost wages.
It’s a good system designed to help employees who are hurt in the course of doing their jobs on behalf of companies and owners that earn profits, in part, as a result of the diligence of workers. But when it comes time to pay out on a workers’ compensation claim, there might be reluctance. The fund or program itself might be slow, or perhaps your employer claims that you don’t deserve a payout for some trifling reason.
In the meantime, while you wait for the situation to be sorted out, the medical bills pile up and you are losing out on income that you would have earned if you hadn’t been hurt on the job. It can be distressing emotionally as well as financially.
On top of that, there might be a number of forms to fill out and statements to give. When you’ve just been injured, it’s difficult to deal with all of the bureaucracy. You might miss crucial deadlines, or omit important evidence. It’s not really fair that you aren’t at your best, while the other side is represented by people who know the system and are on top of their game.
The result can be a lower payout than you deserve, or your claim could be denied altogether. Then you’re really stuck. What you need is someone who can advocate on your behalf.
Attorneys Experienced in Workers’ Compensation
Personal injury lawyers and experienced attorneys with knowledge of workers’ compensation can help you get the justice you deserve. Lawyers have the expertise to navigate all the paperwork, and they can work with insurers, bureaucrats, and your employer to make sure that you are taken care of, and that your losses are recovered.
Your lawyer understands what is normal for your type of injury and situation. Additionally, he or she can recommend when you should keep silent, and help you speak in a way that makes sense for you. In fact, you can turn over most of the handling of the situation to your attorney, sure that someone with knowledge of the system — and someone who isn’t trying to recover from an injury — can represent your interests.
Remember that everyone else in this situation has a vested interest in paying out as little as you are willing to accept, even if they know that amount isn’t really fair. Your attorney is on your side. Your lawyer has an interest in making sure that your workers’ compensation is fairly paid in a timely manner. You don’t have to go it alone, and you shouldn’t. If you’ve been injured, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help.
