A workers’ compensation attorney will help you get the best possible recovery.
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system of insurance that is designed to protect both employees and employers alike. If an employee gets hurt on the job, he or she is entitled to certain benefits, such as medical coverage and payment for time off of work and disability. Yet many employees find themselves in the position of having their claims denied by their employers or the insurance companies. The system that was supposed to help them can often be confusing and complex — and many employees may just give up as a result.
When it comes to workers’ compensation, most employees (if they are lucky) are only involved with it once or twice in their lives. In contrast, employers regularly interact with the workers’ compensation system. They know how it works — and have an insurance company, its adjusters and attorneys to back them up. Having a skilled workers’ compensation attorney on your side as an employee can make it easier to navigate the complex workers’ compensation system, and can help to ensure that you get the benefits that you are entitled to for your injuries.
A good workers’ compensation attorney can be tremendously beneficial throughout the process. To start, your lawyer will develop the evidence that you need to support your claim for compensation. This includes medical, vocational and all other evidence. One of the top reasons that workers’ compensation claims are denied is due to insufficient medical evidence. A skilled workers’ compensation attorney can make sure that you have enough medical evidence to prove your injury by gathering medical records, arranging treatment with certain doctors, obtaining medical opinions and holding depositions with medical experts. By putting together a medical record, you have a better chance of obtaining a disability rating that truly reflects the level of impairment that you have experienced.
Your attorney can also obtain vocational expert testimony, which will help explain your job’s physical requirements and your ability to perform them after your injury. In addition, statements from friends and family can demonstrate your level of daily activity and inability to perform functions that you were able to do before your accident or injury. If applicable, your attorney may also ask coworkers for testimony about poor workplace safety or training.
Throughout the process, your workers’ compensation attorney can negotiate with the attorney for the insurance company to obtain a fair settlement for you. The settlement can be structured in a way to obtain maximum benefits and to take into account other potential benefits, such as Social Security Disability benefits, if applicable. A skilled workers’ compensation attorney will understand how to include all possibilities into the settlement, and will give you peace of mind about the process.
Finally, if your case goes to hearing, your workers’ compensation attorney will represent you at the hearing. He or she will present opening and closing arguments, question witnesses and object as necessary. If you are not satisfied by the ruling, he or she can appeal the ruling as well.
Workplace injuries can have a devastating impact on your life. At PLBH, we understand this — and we are here to help. Contact us today at (800) 435-7542 or info@plblaw.com to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our seasoned workers’ compensation attorneys. We will work hard to ensure that you get the best possible recovery.