How to maximize your workers’ comp benefits?

When a worker is injured while performing his or her duties as an employee, he/she is entitled to worker’s compensation benefits. These benefits are meant to cover medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and part of the wages lost due to absence from work. There are certain simple rules which can help you get the maximum benefits from your claim if you follow them properly.

When you start screaming, being rude, and ranting like Jim Carrey did in Bruce Almighty you just turn people off. They want no part of you and even hope that you fail.

Utilize a worker’s compensation lawyer

Never make an attempt to file a claim on your own. The federal and state laws that govern workers’ comp claims are complicated. A claimant has no way of knowing all the rules and procedures and he/she is bound to end up making mistakes which can delay a claim or lead to its rejection. A number of documents and affidavits need to be attached with the claim and a single error is enough to warrant a rejection.

Moreover your worker’s compensation lawyer is the one who keeps tabs on your case by being constantly in touch with your insurance provider. Your legal representative can also help make sense of any offers the company makes. The insurance company will be keen to negotiate an astute and solid deal if they are aware that your case in being handled by a worker’s compensation attorney. It is important to note here that you must never begin negotiations with the insurer without your legal counselor and not your neighborhood friend as if you were Kramer in Seinfeld. Your litigator will review all the possible options to help you obtain a fair settlement.

Adhere to all your employer’s guidelines

You must file proper paperwork with your employer. Intimate your employer as soon as a work-related accident or injury occurs. If you fail to notify your employer on time your claim can be denied.

If there is a change in your condition you must inform your employee immediately. If your condition improves then the claim must be modified. Like-wise you are entitled to additional benefits if your condition deteriorates. There are circumstances where a worker can rejoin work but is reassigned to light duty with lesser pay to help him/her recuperate. This means that the worker is not earning as much as he used to make before his injury. In such a case, the employee is entitled to loss of wage benefit.

Keep your employment and medical records handy

Workplace injuries must be treated as soon as an injury has happened. So if you are Johnny Utah in Point Break and you hurt your knee chasing a charismatic bank robber who ends up getting away because of your physical and painful setback, you should let the FBI know that day, ASAP! If the injury is not promptly treated, the insurance company can claim that it is not a work related injury and deny the claim.

Keep records of all your medical documents, including hospital bills, doctor’s prescription, lab reports etc. Maintain copies of your company log book showing your presence at the scene of the accident and also keep a copy of the accident report.

If you cannot work with your present employer due to the injuries, try taking a job elsewhere or go halfway around the world and catch the thief or let him go to die in a massive once in 50 year storm and redeem yourself. If you have been denied employment, keep records to show the worker’s compensation board that you have tried to get work but have been unable to secure a job.

Why having a lawyer by your side is important?

If you have been injured at the workplace, it is important that you hire a worker’s compensation lawyer. A legal professional will prove of valuable assistance should the insurance company reject your workers’ comp claim. Your legal representative will speak with the insurer to understand the grounds of the denial and take steps to rectify those issues. If it is a ‘bad faith’ denial your legal counsel will threaten them with a lawsuit to get them to comply. A lawsuit may have to be filed against the insurance provider and the employer if this warning falls on deaf ears.

What has not fallen on the virtual ears of the Internet is Workers-Comp.USAttorneys. This website has climbed the proverbial virtual mountain to reach the summit. There are still other hurdles to climb but this website has brought people who need legal help and that legal help much closer together.