You might consider hiring a compensation attorney if you’ve experienced an injury or illness in the workplace. Your choice depends on the nature of the damage and your workplace management.
Scenarios Wherein You Can Represent For Yourself
Generally speaking, if all of the following are true, you might be able to avoid hiring an attorney:
- You had a small occupational injury, such as a simple cut or twisted ankle
- Your employer acknowledges that the accident occurred on the job
- Your injury caused you to miss little to no work
- You don’t have a condition that already existed that affected the same body part as the most recent work injury
It’s frequently a good idea to speak with a compensation attorney for a free consultation about your case, even in these seemingly simple circumstances. The attorney can help you every step of the way, warn you of potential traps, and offer you an assessment of whether or not you can handle the case.
Hiring a Compensation Attorney
You should retain legal counsel as soon as your case becomes complicated. Here are several scenarios that require the involvement of compensation lawyers.
Your employer refuses to acknowledge your claim, or your benefits are not paid on time. Compensation insurers consistently deny legitimate workers’ compensation claims because many employees won’t file an appeal. Sadly, they frequently get it right.
The settlement offered by your employer is not enough for your medical expenses. Decide for yourself if the settlement offer is reasonable and just.
Your medical conditions prevent you from doing work efficiently. In situations when there are serious illnesses or chronic injuries, a skilled compensation attorney is crucial.
Your employer takes offense after you make a workers’ compensation claim. To safeguard your legal rights, speak with a workers’ compensation attorney immediately if your employer has unreasonably dismissed you, cut your hours, decreased your pay, or practiced any other type of discrimination due to your workers’ compensation claim.
Your employer’s substantial misbehavior or the activities of a third party caused your injury. The purpose of the workers’ compensation system is to stop injury-related legal lawsuits. You may, however, bring a lawsuit outside of workers’ compensation in some circumstances.
For example, your employer didn’t have workers’ compensation insurance, or another party contributed to your injury. An attorney will be able to clarify how the law applies to your circumstance.
Conclusion
An experienced lawyer will know how to gather the evidence required to support your case, negotiate effectively with the insurance company, create a settlement agreement to prevent unintended effects, submit all the required documents and fulfill the deadlines.
If you cannot come to an amicable resolution, a lawyer can represent you at the hearing or trial and prepare for it on your behalf.
The workers’ compensation system aims to provide injured employees fast and just compensation. But there are cases wherein employers, and insurers get the upper hand. Insurance firms have groups of highly qualified attorneys working for them.
It will help to get an experienced compensation lawyer to ensure justice on your end. Additionally, your lawyer will only receive a small portion of your compensation because of the fees compensation attorneys charge for their services.
