Worker’s Compensation
Accidents happen at work even in the best situations. However, many of these accidents could be avoided and were the result of negligence on the part of the employer. In other cases, the incident occurred due to unforeseen circumstances. Worker’s compensation is in place to protect employees who are injured on the job and ensure they receive adequate medical care and that their job is waiting for them once they recover.
Challenges with Worker’s Compensation
The reality with worker’s compensation is that it doesn’t always work the way it should. Worker’s comp companies are focused on reducing the cost of care that must be paid out and getting the employee back to work as soon as possible.
Employees are limited to seeing specific doctors and following the treatment plan initiated by the medical provider even if they feel it’s not the best option for them. While most of the time worker’s compensation provides adequate treatment and continued pay until the employee is ready to return to work, there are times when it doesn’t measure up to what the person needs for recovery.
Worker’s compensation agents will work to settle the case as quickly as possible. They may even offer a settlement for long-term injuries or permanent disabilities. However, the amount offered may be less than what you need to pay for medical care.
If you need to file a claim against worker’s compensation, you may be entitled to receive:
- Payment for past and future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Pay for future wages
- Temporary or permanent disability
- Training for a new vocation if unable to return to prior job
- Survivor benefits if injury was fatal
Getting Help with Your Worker’s Compensation Case
Work injuries can be serious accidents that happen with a fall, burn or other injury. They may also result from repetitive work injuries, such as carpal tunnel, chronic back problems and other issues. Sometimes, the worker may be unfairly denied their claim because the worker’s compensation adjuster says the accident wasn’t work-related. It can be difficult to prove some injuries, which is why you need to work with a legal team experienced with worker’s compensation cases.
An attorney will request medical records and other documentation to prove your claim. They can also request testing be done by doctors to determine the level of disability or prognosis of recovery. It’s important not to settle too quickly after a workplace injury because you may not know the extent of the injury until a year after it happens. Expenses add up and they can be lifelong costs with a permanent disability. Common expenses include:
- ER treatment of the initial injury
- Surgeries to repair the injury
- Medications and therapy
- Occupational rehab to learn to adjust to permanent disabilities
- Home care
- Changes made to a vehicle or the home to accommodate a disability
- Mental health treatment to deal with the trauma
- Prosthetics and other equipment to help with the injury
All of these expenses add up for the injured person. They need a fair settlement from worker’s compensation to pay for the costs associated with the injury.
If you’ve been injured at work, you can contact Weiser & Associates for a free consultation. We will help you get the compensation you deserve for your injury. Contact us at 888-254-4697 or [email protected].
