Following a work injury in Virginia, you may have a few valid questions related to the workers’ compensation system. Before anything else, seek medical care for your injuries. You should also consider notifying your employer at the earliest about the accident. Once you feel better, you need to get legal advice from an expert. If you are in two minds about hiring a work comp attorney in Virginia, here’s what you need to know about their role.
- Determining eligibility: First and foremost, your lawyer will check whether your injury qualifies for workers’ compensation benefits. While the workers’ compensation usually covers most on-the-job injuries, there are exceptions, and you need to have a lawyer who can ensure whether there are other aspects that are likely to impact your claim.
- Handling the paperwork: The whole process can be confusing and overwhelming for someone who has never filed a workers’ compensation claim. More importantly, deadlines must be considered, and even a tiny mistake in the paperwork can have consequences. You need an attorney so that you don’t have to deal with everything alone.
- Evaluating compensation: Another reason to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer is to understand the worth of your claim. The benefits you receive depend on your medical bills and other things like the number of days you have been out of work. Your lawyer will evaluate the details and determine the benefits you are entitled to for the circumstances.
- Getting you the best treatment: The truth is many physicians are not qualified to treat work injuries, and there are many situations when a worker may need extensive care. This is where an attorney can ensure their client gets the specialized treatment and medical attention they need.
- Dealing with insurance companies: You also need an attorney because the insurance company will try everything to reduce the final compensation. You may end up accepting a lower amount, which is avoidable when a lawyer is bidding for your rights. Experienced workers’ compensation lawyers know what it takes to negotiate with insurance adjusters.
- Representing at trial: There are many situations when a workers’ compensation claim may end up at trial. Just because your claim was denied doesn’t mean you are out of legal options. You need an attorney who can be aggressive and represent you in court to get the entitled compensation. While trials are expensive and often time-consuming, you have little to worry about with a lawyer working on the case.
Call a workers’ compensation lawyer now!
