Have you been injured on the job and want to know how to maximize your workers’ compensation settlement? In many cases settling your New Jersey workers’ compensation case makes the most sense. If this true for you, you can maximize the settlement value of your claim by doing the following three things:
1. Hire a Lawyer Who Specializes in Workers’ Compensation
There may be numerous attorneys in your area who advertise that they handle workers’ compensation cases. However, there may only be a handful of them who actually specialize in workers’ compensation cases. Workers’ compensation is a very complex body of laws and in many cases, you will need the assistance of an experienced New Jersey workers’ compensation attorney in order to receive all of the benefits you’re entitled to receive. Hiring a lawyer who is less than an expert in New Jersey workers’ compensation can cost you a substantial amount of money.
2. Do Not Settle Until You Have Reached Maximum Medical Improvement
Do not settle until you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) and know the extent of your future treatment. MMI means that you have reached a plateau in the improvement of your medical condition. This does not necessarily mean that you are in as good a condition as you were before the injury. It simply means that there is nothing more that the doctors can do to improve your condition. MMI will trigger the doctor to refer you for a functional capacity evaluation in order to assign you an impairment rating. As such, reaching MMI is also where Temporary Disability Benefits end and Permanent Partial or Permanent Total Disability Benefits begins.
3. Have an Objective Impairment Rating
Next, you need to make sure that you have an objective impairment rating to calculate your future entitlement to permanent disability benefits. This often means getting a second opinion from another doctor to make sure that the impairment rating that you have been given is fair. An impairment rating is based on a mix of both subjective and objective factors and as a result, there is plenty of room for error. The difference between a 5% and a 10% impairment rating can result in a significant loss in the value of your claim. This difference can be even more significant when you consider the totality of all of the future benefits that you may be entitled to receive.
Contact An Experienced New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Attorney
Understanding the nuances of the New Jersey workers’ compensation system can be difficult and there are many things that can go wrong when you decide to settle your claim. A qualified New Jersey workers’ compensation attorney can ensure that you understand your rights and obligations under the New Jersey workers’ compensation system and advise you of the steps you need to take to maximize your settlement.
For help in locating an attorney in your area who specializes in workers’ compensation cases and who can assist you with maximizing the value of your settlement, contact Workman’s Compensation for New Jersey for help. Call us at 609-412-4722 or contact us here to arrange a free consultation.