Our goal at Workers' Compensation Attorney is to make the process of finding a workers' comp attorney as easy as possible. Just fill out the free evaluation form located on this page and you will be put in touch with a workers' comp attorney in your area for a free evaluation of your workers’ comp claim. What is Workers’ Compensation? Workers’ compensation, also known as workers’ comp, workmans’ compensation, or workmans’ comp is an insurance requirement for the vast majority of companies with more than one employee. It covers the costs associated with work-related injuries from medical bills to lost wages. Almost every state requires businesses to have some form of workers’ compensation for their employees. Businesses which do not provide workers’ comp can face fines or, in some states, criminal charges. What Does Workers’ Comp Cover? Though laws differ state-by-state, workers’ comp generally covers any workplace injury, regardless of who is at fault. That means employers are required to pay for any injury from workplace accidents, job-related diseases, or even accidental death. If you have been injured at work, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Generally, employers are required to pay for all actual costs associated with a work injury. These include: Lost Wages: If you miss work due to an on-the-job injury, your employer may be required to pay for a portion of your lost wages. Medical Treatment: You shouldn’t have to front the costs of a work-related injury. Most employers are required to pay for some or all of your medical costs related to a workplace injury. Some of the costs covered by workers’ compensation include hospital bills, ambulance trips, surgeries, and medication. Vocational Rehabilitation: Some injuries leave workers unable to return to their previous jobs. Your employer may be required to pay new job training so you can get back to work. Other Costs: Employers may be liable for additional costs associated with a workplace injury. Common expenses covered by workers’ compensation include funeral costs or property replacement. When Should I Speak with A Lawyer? Some work-related injuries are straightforward. In these cases, your employer generally covers all costs and you are able to heal without worrying about medical bills or lost wages. There are instances however, where liability for paying for injuries is not so clear-cut. These types of cases could include work-related illnesses or repetitive stress injuries. Even worse, your employer or its insurance company could deny your workers’ compensation claim. Add on additional red tape and complex legal language and it may seem impossible to get the compensation you deserve. Below are some instances where you may want to speak with a workers’ comp attorney: You Are Confused and Need Help Filing a Claim: Filing a workers’ comp is stressful. Claim forms are filled with confusing legal language, which you might not fully understand. A lawyer can help you file a claim and get you compensation for your injury. You Were Denied Compensation: Insurers will try to find any reason to deny your claim. The costs from your work injury should always be covered so long as you’re not self-employed. You don’t need to fight your employer or their insurance company alone. An attorney can help you overturn your workers’ comp denial. You Are Unhappy with The Amount of Compensation You Were Given: Employers and their insurers want to give you as little compensation as possible. If your workers’ comp payment doesn’t fully cover the all the costs associated with your work injury, you may want to speak with an attorney. Your Boss Cancels or Modifies Your Compensation: Your boss or your employer’s insurer may try to cancel or reduce your total compensation to save money. They may even try to force you back to work, even if you are not fully healed. If this is the case, speak with a workers’ comp attorney. Your Boss Tries to Interfere or Control Your Medical Treatment: In most cases, your boss cannot make you receive specific medical examinations or make you visit a certain doctor. If your employer tries to control or interfere with your medical treatment, speak with an attorney immediately. Your Boss Retaliates Against You or is Dishonest: It is illegal for an employer to fire, reduce pay, cut hours, or punish you in any way for a work injury. An employer may do this to pressure you into quitting so you won’t receive compensation. An employer may also try to mislead you, its insurer, or a judge in order to save money on insurance premiums. If you were wrongfully punished because of your work injury, you should speak to an attorney. You Are Permanently Injured: If you were permanently injured and unable to return to work, your employer’s insurer will either have to pay for vocational rehabilitation or pay you weekly lifetime payments. A workers’ compensation attorney can fight insurance companies and make sure you get compensation for a permanent injury. If you were injured while at work and would like to speak with an attorney for a free consultation, fill out the form above. (Source: US Department of Labor)
