5 Signs You Need to Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Imagine that it’s a day like any other. You’re at work, and you’ve been asked to perform one of your regular daily tasks. If you’re an electrician, maybe it’s installing a new light fixture in the ceiling. If you’re a carpenter, maybe it’s cutting a piece of wood to use for a build. Suddenly, you fall off the ladder or you cut yourself with the blade.
This is the reality that millions of workers face every single year in the United States. As reported in 2020, roughly 2.8 million people experienced nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2019 (about 2.8 cases per 100 workers). Roughly 888,220 nonfatal injuries and illnesses caused workers to miss at least one day of work.
If this sounds like something you’ve been through, you likely have a workers’ compensation claim or lawsuit on your hands. Here are a few signs to watch for that you need a good workers’ comp lawyer on your side.
1. Your Employer Isn’t Handling Your Claim in a Timely Way
If your employer is dragging their feet when it comes to handling your claim, this is unacceptable. You need the peace of mind that your claim is being taken seriously, along with the compensation to cover your lost wages, medical expenses, and emotional damages.
When you hire a workers’ compensation attorney, they can help light a fire under your employer to handle the situation more promptly. They know the right strategies to apply pressure and get the results you need.
2. Your Insurer Won’t Cover Certain Treatments
Sometimes, your doctor may recommend certain treatments such as physiotherapy or occupational therapy as part of your recovery. They can help you recover from surgery and improve your mobility and quality of life. However, insurance companies often refuse to pay for such treatments because they don’t deem them medically necessary. A workers’ comp lawyer can help you appeal that decision by making a case for why those treatments absolutely are necessary.
3. The Settlement Won’t Cover All Your Expenses
The majority of workers’ comp settlement amounts are determined by a rating system. Under this scheme, a doctor would examine you and give you a rating of how severely injured you are. The insurance company then uses this information to decide how much settlement money to give you.
However, insurers can contest the initial rating and require you to get an independent medical examination (IME) from a doctor of their choosing. Oftentimes, this doctor will give you a lower rating and the insurance company will then give you less money. When you get a workers’ comp lawyer, they can help advocate on your behalf against such action and get you the money you deserve.
Navigating the realm of workers’ compensation can be tough, especially if you’re already managing an injury or illness that is draining your emotional and physical energy. Consider hiring a workers’ comp lawyer to help you through this tricky process. Not only will it improve your chances of getting the compensation you need, but it will offer the peace of mind you deserve.
