Workplace accidents come unannounced. If you have been involved in a workplace accident that has resulted in injuries, you could be eligible to claim workers’ compensation benefits for your medical expenses, loss of wages, and other associated costs. Besides, families who have lost their loved one to a tragic workplace accident can also secure death benefits by filing a claim through the workers’ compensation system.
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Understanding Workers’ Compensation
Several work fields, such as construction, pose inherent dangers to the workers in their routine day-to-day activities. Workplace accidents such as falls, machinery accidents, electrical accidents, falling objects, and equipment failure can occur at any time and cause serious injuries to the worker. Some of the commonly recorded damages arising from workplace accidents include lacerations, burns, fractures, amputations, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, brain injuries, head injuries, neck injuries, respiratory illness, loss of vision or hearing, or toxic chemical exposure.
Each state in the US has its own set of laws that protect the employees against such accidents and subsequent injuries. The law mandates all employers to hold valid workers’ compensation insurance. The coverage provided by this insurance compensates the employees for any damages or illnesses associated with work that have occurred when the employee was on the clock, taking a work break, or present on the work premises. The insurance also covers injuries that may occur when the employee is on a work trip or sales call.
Any injured employee can file a workers’ compensation claim to reimburse monetary compensation for their medical bills, salary loss, and temporary or permanent disabilities. Moreover, a deceased employee’s family can recover compensation for loss of companionship and lost earning capacity if the employee’s wrongful death was due to a workplace accident.
Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim
Any injured employee can submit a written claim to the employer or insurance provider to review the circumstances that caused the accident and provide remuneration. If the claim is accepted, the worker can receive weekly compensations or lumpsum reimbursement amount for their injuries and damages.
However, in most workers’ compensation claims, the employer or the insurance company may adopt notorious tactics to downplay the severity of the employee’s injuries or illness. This strategy is often employed to reduce the monetary compensation or completely deny the claim. If your claim is rejected, you can still appeal it in court. It is suggested to hire an expert workers’ compensation attorney who can inform you about your legal options in such cases.
Seeking Help from a Good Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
The workers’ compensation system policies are complex to interpret, and the laws may prohibit you from filing a lawsuit against your employer. In most workers’ compensation claims disputes, the employer and the insurance provider hire a strong team of lawyers to fight your claim. This makes it imperative to hire an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer who will relentlessly fight your case to ensure you get every penny you rightfully deserve. An excellent lawyer will always keep your best interests at heart, build a robust argument for your case and help you navigate the tricky legal semantics so that you get your compensation.
