When Do You Need a Lawyer for a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

An injury at work hurt you and laid you up for a few weeks, but, you’re feeling better now, and your doctor says you can go back to work. Your employer is very understanding and genuinely seems to have your health as the priority. On the other hand, you’ve heard scary things about insurance companies. Those medical bills weren’t cheap, and you did miss a few weeks of work. What about medication and follow up visits to the doctor? Would the insurance company cover those if they accept your claim? Here are some factors to keep in mind as you consider whether to contact an attorney for your claim.

When you are injured on the job, the first thing to do is seek immediate medical attention. Some policies may require you to see a specific doctor, but many state laws provide for you to receive treatment from the doctor of your choice. Next, notify your employer of the injury as soon as possible. Most states require that you notify the employer in writing within 30 days of the injury if it is work related, but make the report as soon as possible.

If your employer has workers’ comp insurance, the company will file the claim with their insurer. A representative will contact you to notify you if the insurance company has accepted your claim. They will probably require that you fill out some forms. The insurance company will notify you of what benefits they intend to provide and what medical treatments they will cover.

At some point in the process, you may begin to wonder if you need an attorney. There can be a dizzying amount of paperwork to fill out for doctors, the insurance company, and your employer. It’s a lot of stress to deal with while still recovering from an injury. In a recent survey by the Workers Compensation Research Institute, 46% said they hired an attorney because the insurance company denied their claim, when, in fact, the insurers simply hadn’t accepted them in the process. If you are sure the insurance company denied you claim, you will likely need the services of an attorney.

If your injury is minor and you will soon return to work, you may not feel that an attorney is necessary. If you have suffered a serious injury that may keep you out of work for several weeks, or if your medical situation will require ongoing care for an extended period, you should likely consult an attorney. Though insurers are doing their job by paying your claim, they still have the best interests of the company at heart – not yours. It may be your wisest move to consult an attorney.

Even if your claim seems relatively minor, it may still be in your interest to engage a lawyer. What will be the ongoing consequences of your injury? Are you likely to continue to require medication or rehab even after returning to work? Also, you may need to consider the possibility that your condition worsens again later, especially after returning to work. An attorney has the experience, along with your doctor, to know the likelihood that your situation will worsen or get better with time.

In many cases, the workers’ compensation system works exactly as the law intends to get you the medical treatment you need to get you back to work and compensate you for lost time. However, if your situation has the possibility of having lasting consequences or the insurance company has denied your claim, an attorney can advise you of your options moving forward.

The post When Do You Need a Lawyer for a Workers’ Compensation Claim? appeared first on GES Injury Attorneys.