Three Reasons To Consult With A Workers' Compensation Attorney
ShareMany times an injury at work will necessitate that you file for workers' compensation, and most of the time, you can do this yourself without incident. However, there are a few situations where you need to speak to an attorney before or after you have filed a claim. The following are three of them.
Your claim is being challenged over your injury type
Some workplace injuries are looked at with suspicion by insurance companies. One example is carpal tunnel syndrome or any other injury related to repetitive motion. These types of injuries are sometimes hard to prove, but an attorney with experience in this area can help you document this injury with your doctor, and explain to an insurance company how your job specifically created the injury. In some states, it is possible to file for workers' compensation for certain job related diseases. The laws vary by state and are usually for specific illnesses and professions. Always consult with a lawyer before pursuing benefits on your own or the claim may be challenged.
You lost your job
This is more common in smaller companies than larger ones, but if you have had to take leave from your job due to an injury and you have filed for worker's compensation, an employer may retaliate by firing you. This is not legal and you should contact an attorney immediately. Often an employer will not mind you taking time off to heal after an injury, but the moment they find out you have filed for workers' compensation benefits, they don't want you back. Usually, you won't find out about this until you have healed and are ready to go back to work. It is then that you find out your job has been permanently filled.
There is a third party involved
In most cases, if a job related injury results in filing for workers' compensation, it ends there. But occasionally there will be someone or something else that is involved in the injury. One common example is with a worker who drives a car or truck as part of their job. If a person is on the job and gets into an accident with another driver and the other driver is at fault, it may be possible, even necessary, to bring a civil suit against the other driver. In this case, you need to consult with a workers' compensation attorney. The law can be complex in these situations, so it is imperative that you consult with an attorney to get the compensation you are entitled to.
If you find yourself in any of the situations listed above or you are having an issue with workers' compensation, don't hesitate to speak to an attorney.
If you are interested in learning more, visit sites such as http://www.lovettlaw.com/.