Worker’s compensation laws were enacted to protect both the rights of the injured worker and the employer. Before worker’s compensation laws, the only recourse afforded to injured employees was to sue their employer. They often found themselves injured, out of work, and without income for medical care. An on the job injury was often devastating, even if the injury wasn’t catastrophic.
Today, most employers in Virginia are required to provide worker’s compensation insurance. Employees who are injured on the job need only to search for a Richmond worker’s compensation lawyer to ensure their rights are protected. While you can handle a workplace injury without an attorney, partnering with a Richmond worker’s compensation lawyer helps protect your rights and ensures you receive the compensation you are due.
Here’s how a lawyer can help with your worker’s compensation claim.
They help build your claim.
While worker’s compensation laws are meant to protect workers who are injured on the job, it is often still necessary to build a claim. A Richmond worker’s compensation lawyer has the resources to investigate and establish a link between your injuries and your job. They can also help establish the extent of your injuries which may be disputed by worker’s compensation insurance companies.
Under the law, injured employees must be compensated for their lost wages and necessary medical treatments. Sometimes, lump sum settlement payments are also made depending on the circumstances. Without a worker’s compensation lawyer, an injured employee must accept what the insurance company determines is fair, and it is often not enough.
They help you appeal denials.
Worker’s compensation insurance companies are in the business of profit. While the laws are on the books to protect injured workers and their employers, insurance companies need to make money too. They do this by denying claims whenever possible. While you can appeal without representation, you’ll get better results with the help of a Richmond worker’s compensation lawyer.
Worker’s compensation cases can be long and complex. Working with an attorney who specializes in these types of cases can help speed the process and get you better results. Worker’s compensation attorneys are well versed on the laws of the state and the best way to apply them to your case to help improve the outcome.
They ensure all allowable expenses are covered.
Since a Richmond workers compensation lawyer knows the laws and how to apply them to your specific case, they will help ensure that all relevant expenses are covered. All medical care related to your on-the-job injury, medications, tests and even mileage to the doctor or pharmacy should all be included. Without the help of an attorney, many of these costs are easily discounted and could become the employee’s unreimbursed expense.
Contact a Richmond Worker’s Compensation Lawyer Today
If you have been injured while at work on the job, contact a worker’s compensation attorney today. They will help protect your rights and prove your claim for benefits. They will also help ensure that all allowable medical costs are covered so they don’t become unreimbursed expenses. If you are due a lump sum settlement, your attorney will help negotiate a fair amount. And If your claim is denied, a worker’s compensation attorney can help you successfully appeal. If you have been injured at work, partner with a Richmond worker’s compensation lawyer today.