10 Warning Signs That You Need A Workers' Compensation Lawyer
Your job-related injury is likely covered by your employer's workers' compensation insurance, but claims are not always paid in a timely and trouble-free manner. This insurance is meant to cover your medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages if you are injured on the job. It's important that you inform your supervisor immediately and follow up to ensure that the reports are filled out and filed once you discover your injury. Unfortunately, even if you do everything possible to make sure that your claim is filed, you may encounter situations where you need to seek professional legal help. Read on to learn some signs that you may need to talk with an attorney, like Gilbert, Blaszcyk & Milburn LLP.
1. You have been forced to use your own medical insurance or pay out of your pocket for the medical expenses associated with your injury due your employer's failure to file a timely claim.
2. Your employer has not filed your claim or is disputing some of facts of the incident and/or delaying the filing of the claim.
3. You have been left with injuries so severe that you fear you will never be able to work at your job, or any job, again.
4. Your injuries resulted in a long hospital stay, coma, amputation, a long convalescence and/or major surgery.
5. Your doctor has informed you that your injuries may be permanent and that a full recovery may not be possible.
6. You have been denied your claim by your employer's workers' comp insurance company or your state's workers' comp board.
7. You have reason to doubt that you are receiving the full benefits that you are entitled to as a result of injury. For example, you may have been asked to return to work before you are fully healed.
8. Your injury has left you unable to cope with issues surrounding your claim. For example, a serious brain injury has left you unable to properly fight for your rights to coverage.
9. You have an injury that is more difficult to prove. Many mental health issues fall into this category, such as severe and debilitating anxiety caused by an unusually stressful work environment.
10. Your injury is the result of an accumulation of repeated incidents. This type of injury, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, happens gradually over time rather than a one-time event. Toxic exposure situations, such as asbestos, is another example of an injury where the full result may not be known until later.
Experiencing any one of the above issues should cause concern. Never simply accept adverse rulings and denials; you have the right to be fairly compensated for your work-related injuries. Contact a workers' comp attorney as soon as you sense that your claim process is not progressing smoothly.