Work-related injuries may affect your performance and productivity at work. Thus, it is the company’s responsibility to cater to the medical bills and any other costs that may arise as a result. Some companies may fail to compensate you for such scenarios claiming it is not part of their agreement. If that happens, you have the right to take legal actions against them.
You should hire a worker’s compensation attorney to help you through the process. You should hire an attorney the moment you are injured to prevent any later consequences.
Below are the instances when you need to hire a worker’s compensation attorney.
When your claim is denied
An insurer or company might refuse to settle your claim for various reasons. For example, an insurance company may claim your injury wanted work-related or past the statute of limitations. You can appeal the denial through the workers’ compensation system. This process requires you to file formal paperwork, use legal tools to gather evidence, and present your case. All these processes require the help of an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer.
If your permanent disability rating is disputed
The major workers’ compensation settlement is for permanent disability benefits. These benefits are usually calculated based on your permanent disability rating. In some cases, the insurance company might not agree with the ratings assigned by your treating doctor. They will request you to attend an independent medical examination (IME) with a doctor of their choosing. The IME doctor will most likely give a lower rating acceptable by the insurance company, which the insurance company might use to justify lower compensation. In this situation, a lawyer is vital to getting you a fair and just settlement.
You have a preexisting condition
If by bad luck, you happen to incur an injury at work on a body part with a preexisting condition, you’ll be facing an uphill battle with the insurance company. The company will pin the blame on your previous condition rather than your work activities. This is common when the injury has developed over time, rather than during a single work accident. Seeking the help of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney Everett will help you present and argue your case better, thus assuring better compensation.
When you can’t get the treatment you need
You might sustain injuries that require surgery. However, medical surgeries are rather expensive and require the settlement from the insurance company to help you get the necessary treatment. Since insurance companies often delay approving expensive medical treatments, such as surgeries, it is essential to hire a lawyer to put pressure on the insurance company. The lawyers will help you get the settlement on time to get the proper medical attention.
When your ability to work has been affected
If you can never work again as a result of your work-related injury, you’ll need to maximize your workers’ compensation benefits and structure them to last well into the future. If you need to change careers, you’ll require training in a new line of work. An experienced compensation attorney will help you do both.
If you have a workers’ compensation hearing
If the insurance company refuses to settle, the case is taken to a court hearing. Because this is a trial, you will need a lawyer who understands the ins and outs of a court proceeding to represent you.
Conclusion
You will most likely get a better settlement when you hire a workers’ compensation attorney. The lawyers understand the law; they know how to negotiate, and can use various tools to build your case. It is, for this reason, you will receive more benefits when you hire a lawyer.
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