Red Workers' Compensation Flags To Watch Out For

When you get hurt on the job, you can count on your employer's workers' comp to cover you for your injury; or can you? In most cases workers' comp does exactly what it is expected to do: it pays for your medical expenses and provides you with a partial salary until you can return to regular duty. Unfortunately, some situations require you take more steps; legal steps in, fact. Read on to learn about some situations that may require you seek help from a workers' comp lawyer.

1. You injured yourself at work, but your supervisor is claiming that the injury did not happen while on the job. Time is of the essence when filing a workers' comp claim, so act fast to preserve your benefits. It is up to your supervisor to file the claim for you, in most cases, but you should contact your state workers' compensation board and seek guidance since you may be allowed to file your own claim.

2. You were able to file a claim, but you received a letter of adversarial action or a claim denial letter. You have certain rights to appeal that finding, so seek help.

3. Unfortunately, your work-related injury was so severe and catastrophic that your ability to do your job at any time in the future has been compromised. If you are dealing with a permanent injury, you will need the help of a workers' comp attorney to negotiate your settlement on your behalf. Being unable to work for the rest of your life is no small matter, and you need to get the absolute best settlement that is structured in such as way as to take the maximum advantage of both workers' comp and your Social Security disability benefits.

4. Even if everything goes smoothly with your claim, there may come a time when your benefits are placed in jeopardy. Everyone heals uniquely, and your injury may not be healed when the workers' comp carrier tries to cut you off. If you are being threatened with the loss of a job because you are not ready to go back to work, you may need some help with your claim. The carrier's evaluation of your injury and your ability to return to work can be challenged, and you should never return to your job without being 100% healed from your injuries.

Trying to cope with all the details of a work-related injury can be taxing on anybody. Speak to a workers' compensation attorney as soon as you sense something is amiss and get the benefits that you need and deserve.

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