Any discussion of common problems with workers’ compensation claims must first begin with a general understanding of what workers’ compensation is supposed to do.
Workers’ compensation is supposed to provide you with benefits whenever you are injured on the job. In other words, if you are injured on the job, you’re supposed to be able to make a claim and receive payment of your medical expenses, wage replacement while you are off work due to your injury, and compensation for any permanent loss of function caused by your injury, regardless of fault.
That, in a nutshell, is the purpose of workers’ compensation. But, here is what goes wrong and why an attorney is often needed––insurance companies know that the primary purpose of workers’ compensation is to provide you with benefits whenever you are injured on the job, but in order to increase their profits, they need to limit the amount of benefits that are paid out.
As a result, the first thing that the insurance company does when you file a claim is look for ways to limit or deny your benefits. This most often means questioning your eligibility to file a claim, the extent of your injury, the medical treatment you require, your inability to return to work, and the permanency of your injury or condition.
How a Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help
A workers’ compensation attorneys can help you in a variety of ways, including dealing with the eligibility issues, making sure you receive a fair and unbiased medical report, and by generally reducing the time and red tape you have to go through to receive your workers’ compensation benefits.
In addition, An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can provide you with general advice regarding the benefits you are entitled to receive and your obligations under your state’s workers’ compensation law.
Common issues a workers’ compensation attorney can help you resolve, include:
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Denial of your workers’ compensation claim
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Mis-payment or nonpayment of your weekly benefits
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Difficulties communicating with the insurer or your employer
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Delayed or declined medical treatment
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Disagreements regarding your ability to return to work and/or regarding your work restrictions
An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help you resolve issues between you and the insurance company by quickly identifying the issues that are able to be resolved and then contacting the insurer on your behalf before these issues escalate and require litigation. This means that the cost and delay involved in taking the claim through a formal dispute process may be avoided and you can receive your benefits sooner.
If you are an injured worker and are having trouble with your workers’ compensation claim, an experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help. The Hayes Firm is an attorney finding service that helps injured workers find attorneys who can help them resolve workers’ compensation disputes quickly and easily. For more information, call us on 1-800-603-6833, or visit our contact page to arrange a free consultation. We are here to help.