When a company has employees working for the business, that company must carry workers’ compensation insurance (also known as workman’s comp) to protect its employees. This insurance protects the workers financially in the case of a work-related injury or illness. If you become injured or ill on the job and the employer is at fault, you must file a workers comp claim within a certain amount of time. Periods vary by state but the standard period is two years. You must make sure you file your claim within this time period to ensure that you retain your rights to your worker’s comp benefits. If your workers compensation claim is successful, then you will receive payments for lost wages and any out-of-pocket medical expenses. Unfortunately general damages for things such as pain and suffering or employer negligence are not available in most workers’ compensation plans. These issues must be handled in civil litigation rather than through your workman’s comp claim. Every employer must have a workmen’s comp plan. These insurance plans are mandated by the state. That does not, however, mean that you will automatically receive worker’s comp benefits if you become injured or ill while on the job. Sometimes employers and insurance agencies pit their own interests against the better interest of their employees and will fight a workers’ comp case. In cases such as these, it is crucial to have proper legal representation. If your employer is trying to keep you from receiving workmans comp benefits that you are rightfully entitled to, you must consult with a workers comp attorney so that he or she can help you file your workers comp claim. Please fill out the form located on this site, if you would like a free workers comp evaluation by an attorney or advocate in your area.
