According to recent research from Lockton, 67 percent of claims initially denied are changed to paid claims within a year.
This highlights two issues workers face. One, workers’ compensation claims are not always resolved quickly. Two, workers must be prepared if their claim is denied.
That’s where workers’ compensation lawyers come in. Here, we’ll discuss why you need a workers’ compensation attorney to help guide your case.
First, however, let’s begin with a primer on workers’ compensation law.
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What Is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation systems provide benefits to workers who suffer job-related injuries or lose their life on the job. Benefits may include:
- Medical care
- Partial income
- Replacement for lost wages
- Vocational rehabilitation services
- Death benefits
- Temporary and permanent disability benefits
In most states, all employers must provide workers’ compensation coverage.
What Is the Workers’ Compensation Law?
Workers’ compensation law is the body of laws that guide claims, exemptions, and benefits.
Every state has its own workers’ compensation laws. Your coverage may vary depending on your location as well as employment status.
Why You Need a Lawyer for Your Workers’ Compensation Case
If you’re injured on the job, your employer should provide you with workers’ compensation coverage automatically. However, sometimes employers fail to provide the appropriate benefits or follow proper procedures.
If this occurs, you may need a workers’ compensation attorney. Here are some reasons you need a lawyer for workers compensation on your side:
1. Lawyers Can Review Your Case for Errors
The law requires workers to meet several requirements to be eligible for compensation. For example, workers must report an injury within 30 days of the incident. Many workers are unaware of this requirement and file their claims late, leading to denied claims.
It is possible that your initial claim was denied because you missed a deadline. Or you made another mistake on your application form or supporting documentation. A lawyer can troubleshoot these problems before they become bigger issues.
2. Lawyers Will Protect You Against Discrimination
Some employers may try to deny claims by claiming illegal discrimination.
It’s not always easy to recognize discrimination. As a result, workers may miss opportunities to protect their rights if they don’t know how to.
That’s where an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer comes in. They will fight for compensation without looking at workers’ age, gender, race, or religion.
3. Lawyers Can Establish Workers’ Compensation Eligibility
In some cases, workers may be eligible for compensation benefits, but their employers still deny the claim.
For example, a worker might file a claim right away after an on-the-job injury. But the employer might dispute this claim with the workers’ comp insurance provider. As a result, they could end up in dispute resolution court proceedings.
Workers can avoid these issues by hiring lawyers to review their eligibility before filing the claim.
Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Workers’ compensation laws are complicated. This is why workers need lawyers for workers’ compensation cases to ensure all their benefits are paid.
Research your state workers’ comp requirements and talk with experienced workers’ compensation attorneys. They’ll help determine if you’re eligible for benefits before filing a claim.
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