How do you know if you need a lawyer to help with your workers’ compensation claim?
There are plenty of claims that go through the system just the way that they should. After all, the whole point of the system was to keep the claims from clogging up the courts, bogging down employers and holding up injured workers.
- You’re already under too much stress. If you’re seriously injured or ill, trying to cope with the complexities of the system is not going to help your situation.
- You can’t understand all the paperwork. It can be difficult to wade through all the forms—and you risk a denial if you don’t get them right.
- Your employer is denying your right to file. If your employer questions your right to file or expresses suspicion about the validity of your claim, that’s a sure sign that problems are going to keep coming.
- You’re facing retaliation from your employer for filing the claim. If you’re demoted, given demeaning work, harassed or fired, that’s a problem that could affect your entire future.
- You don’t believe you’ll ever return to work. Employers and insurance companies are generally anxious to deny these kinds of claims because they’re hefty financial burdens.
- You’re already receiving(orexpect to receive) Social Security Disability in addition to your workers’ comp. Your disability payments will be offset by your workers’ comp award. An attorney can help you reduce and minimize the offset.
In addition to the reasons above, you need an attorney to represent you if your employer was extremely reckless toward your safety or you believe that a third-party, like a machine manufacturer, might also be liable for your injuries. Many victims of workplace injuriesdon’t realize that they might have a valid personal injury claim on top of their workers’ comp claim—and that can provide you with far more of the compensation you need to secure your future.
