What To Do After A Work Injury: Do You Qualify For Worker’s Comp?
You were injured at work and don’t know what to do next. Don’t worry! Many people feel the same way after getting injured on the job for the first time. We understand that there are many questions when it comes to getting injured on the job but don’t worry, this blog will help you navigate through the confusion so you know what to do to file for worker’s compensation.
When A Lawyer Isn’t Necessary
If you have suffered a minor injury that will heal on its own or that requires little treatment, then you won’t have to hire a lawyer or file for worker’s compensation. If you try to file a lawsuit for a minor injury, insurance companies will not dispute a claim that:
- Are not work related
- Doesn’t require extensive medical treatment
- Doesn’t require long period of missed work
- Doesn’t result in permanent injuries
For example, let’s say you sprained your ankle on the job after you slipped on water in the restroom. After going to the doctor to get it checked, they ordered you to ice your ankle, take pain relievers, and rest it for a few days. However, you work at an office so you were able to return to work quickly and your ankle healed within a few weeks. In this case, your doctor’s visit would be covered but you probably wouldn’t receive wage loss benefits because you were only out of work for a few days.
When A Lawyer Is Necessary
In any case, if you’re ever in a dispute with an insurance company, a lawyer would be necessary to represent you. You would need to gather the necessary evidence in order to have a strong case against the insurance company, for example:
- Depositions
- Witnesses
- Medical Bills
- Surveillance Video
- Photos/Videos
A lawyer will not only provide you with a better chance at getting you compensated fairly, but they would also present the evidence in a way that would get your case won. Here are a few examples of when you’re best served by hiring a lawyer:
- Your claim was denied. Insurance companies deny worker’s compensation claims for many reasons. A few may be that the insurance company claims that your injury wasn’t work -related or that you filed your claim too late. If you wish to appeal the denial, having a lawyer by your side will increase your chances of getting compensated.
- You have a preexisting injury/medical condition. Insurance companies tend to deny claims that involve the same part that you had injured at work because they typically blame the preexisting injury/medical condition instead of your work injury. A lawyer can help you get compensated fairly if this is the case.
- You have trouble getting the treatment you need. Insurance companies will often deny or delay in approving expensive medical treatments but a lawyer by your side will put pressure on the insurance company to approve the necessary treatments ASAP.
- Your ability to work has been affected. If you can never work again due to the injury then you’ll have to maximize your workers compensation benefits and structure them to last into the future. If you can, you can change careers and secure training in the new line of work. Either way, a lawyer can help you do both.
If you live in Southern California, we can help you by analyzing your case (for free) and confronting the insurance companies with a firm and fair settlement.
