Most direct-hire employees are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits after a job injury. Even those who hold seasonal or part-time positions can request workers’ compensation benefits if they get hurt on the job.
Given the relatively ubiquitous coverage available, employees sometimes make the mistake of assuming that they should be able to handle the claims process on their own. However, there’s a reason that many employees with injuries serious enough to cause a leave of absence choose to seek out legal support. A lawyer can make a major difference in a workers’ compensation claim.
How can an attorney help a worker injured on the job?
By handling the paperwork
People dealing with serious injuries and coping with the financial stress of an unexpected leave of absence are likely not in the best position to learn a new complex system. That is exactly what happens when injured employees attempt to represent themselves during a workers’ compensation claim. They have to split their attention between their recovery and their benefits claim. It is easy to make mistakes, like waiting too long to report the incident or question a denied claim. Those who have the support of a lawyer familiar with workers’ compensation regulations can let the professional manage the paperwork.
By educating the worker
An attorney familiar with workers’ compensation claims can help the injured employee look at what benefits they may be eligible to request. Typically, workers require medical benefits to pay for their treatment and may also need disability benefits to help cover their lost wages. There may be benefits available for surviving family members after fatal work incidents. Workers may need help determining what benefits they can request and optimizing how much support they receive through workers’ compensation.
By advocating for the injured worker
Injured employees may need to appeal unfavorable determinations related to their benefits. They may need help asserting their rights when they disagree with the treatment plan proposed by a doctor or when their employer refuses to provide basic accommodations to keep them safe when they return to work. Lawyers can help with communication to ensure that workers don’t let their emotions detract from the message they need to convey. They can also recognize when situations may constitute a violation of an employee’s rights or of current best practices. They can prioritize the best interests of the injured worker.
Instead of waiting for something to go wrong, it is often beneficial for those anticipating major care costs and a lengthy leave of absence to get help early. Hiring a workers’ compensation attorney can allow an injured employee to focus on healing instead of on the red tape required to secure and optimize their benefits.