For anyone who has been injured on the job, there are certain things you need to do right away. First, get the medical care you need, and then contact a firm that hires workers’ compensation lawyers. Do not, under any circumstances, speak or give your version of the situation that led to the accident to anyone, and certainly never discuss anything with the company’s lawyers before consulting your own. Although the reasons behind this may seem obvious, if you have suffered an injury that may leave you permanently disabled and may need ongoing medical treatment, any medical expenses and lost income may be offset by your employer’s compensation plan.
A personal injury lawyer will specialize in workers’ compensation claims and will be able to advise you of your rights and all rights to any compensation. These lawyers will normally handle your case on a contingency basis. This means that you will receive the first consultation for free. During this phase, he will know if his claim is viable. If it is valid, the lawyer will begin negotiations on her behalf without the need for you to contribute money up front. There is usually an agreed amount or a percentage of any settlement made that will go to the attorney handling your case. Statistics show that claims handled by a law firm have a much higher success rate and larger settlements than can be achieved by a person working on their own.
It is always recommended that you seek the expert advice of workers’ compensation attorneys as soon as possible after an accident has occurred. This is because it is much easier to gather accurate information from witnesses soon after an accident. There are time limits that are imposed for filing such claims (note that these may differ from state to state). You will need to obtain a professional medical evaluation of your injuries, as this will determine if there is a need for continued medical attention and also to determine the full extent of the injuries. The amount of time you will be away from work can also be assessed from these reports and what ongoing course of treatment is best for you to recover.
Workers’ compensation lawyers are experts who have the knowledge necessary to make your claim work. They will make it easier for you to get prompt payments for any medical expenses you may incur and help expedite the process toward a full settlement for your lost earnings reward. Determining the amount of financial compensation you can be awarded will largely depend on the full extent of your injuries. That is why it is so important that these are properly documented. A personal injury attorney who specializes in workers’ compensation can gather all the relevant information and document it properly so that it can be properly presented should the case need to be taken to court. With an attorney in place, there will always be a plan of action that could pay off.
