When should I contact a workers’ compensation attorney?
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Insurance Lawyer
Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...
Jeffrey Johnson
Insurance Lawyer
Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...
Jeffrey Johnson
Updated July 2023
If you are receiving workers’ compensation benefits after an accident, those benefits should cover your medical bills and lost income or wages. Workers’ compensation benefits should also provide coverage for temporary or permanent disability and for total or partial disability. If your employer is paying you the full benefit to which you are entitled and there is no question as to the validity of your claim and the continuation of benefits for as long as you need them, contacting an attorney is not necessary. However, there are certain situations when it may be wise to speak with a lawyer to make sure you are receiving the full protections available to you under the workers’ compensation system.
When to Contact an Attorney after a Work-Related Accident
When a work-related accident occurs, you may wish to contact an attorney if your employer does not provide you with the forms necessary to report your injury or make a claim for benefits. You should also contact your attorney if your employer does not respond to your claim in a timely manner or if you are not confident that your employer is paying the full amount of benefits to which you are entitled. If your employer denies your claim, you will need to contact an attorney to appeal that denial.
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If You Are Already Receiving Worker’s Compensation Benefits
If you are already receiving workers’ compensation benefits, you may wish to contact an attorney if you are not getting the medical care you need. While you may be obligated to use a doctor approved by your employer in order to receive full compensation, the doctor should be qualified and all medically necessary treatments should be paid for by worker’s compensation. If you feel your employer is requiring you to use an unqualified doctor or if you disagree with the doctor regarding the treatments you need, contacting an attorney can help you understand your rights and make sure you receive appropriate care. If your employer indicates that benefits will be reduced or discontinued, then you may also wish to speak with an attorney if you disagree with this course of action.
A workers’ compensation attorney is there to help you when something goes wrong. The workers’ compensation system is designed to provide broad protection to workers and to make sure they get the care and financial support they need after a work-related accident. When something occurs that prevents you from taking advantage of these protections, an attorney can step in to help you to solve the problem and get the compensation you deserve.
Case Studies: Workers’ Compensation Attorney Scenarios
Case Study 1: Delays in Claim Processing
John, a construction worker, suffered a severe back injury on the job. However, his employer failed to provide him with the necessary forms to report his injury and file for workers’ compensation benefits.
John’s employer ignored his attempts, so he sought a workers’ compensation attorney for his rightful benefits.
Case Study 2: Inadequate Medical Care
Emily, a factory worker, had been receiving workers’ compensation benefits after a workplace accident. However, she felt that the approved doctor was not providing her with the necessary medical care for her recovery. Emily suspected employer’s doctor was unqualified, denied proper treatment. She consulted workers’ comp attorney for help.
Case Study 3: Reduction or Discontinuation of Benefits
After being injured in a work-related incident, Sarah had been receiving workers’ compensation benefits for her medical expenses and lost wages. However, her employer informed her that they intended to reduce or discontinue her benefits, Sarah’s ongoing medical needs prompted her to contact a workers’ compensation attorney to challenge her employer’s decision and secure continued benefits.
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