10 Red Flags That Signal You Need A Workers' Comp Lawyer
If you have been injured on the job, you are eligible to receive benefits from your employer's workers' compensation insurance coverage. When the claims process works correctly, you can expect to have your medical expenses paid for and to be compensated with a portion of your salary while you recuperate from your injuries. To help ensure that your claim is approved in a timely manner, be sure to let your direct supervisor know about your injury immediately, and follow up to ensure that the claim is filed. Additionally, regardless of the adverse opinions of your employer or your coworkers, seek medical help and make sure your injury is properly documented. At some point you may begin to feel that your claim is not receiving the attention it should. Read on for the 10 red flags that could indicate that it's time to call in a personal injury attorney.
1. You are unable to get medical treatment related to your injury due to a denial of medical benefits.
2. Your employer has not filed the workers' comp claim form correctly (or at all) or the existence of your on-the-job injury is being disputed.
3. Your injuries are so severe that you suspect that you will never work at your current job again.
4. Your claim has been subject to an adverse action by your employer's workers' comp insurance or your state workers' comp board.
5. Your injuries resulted in a long hospital stay and/or required surgery.
6. You have been told by a doctor that a full recovery may never be possible.
7. Your injuries have left you confused and frustrated by the entire workers' comp process and experience and you feel you need more support to proceed.
8. You believe that your workers' comp benefits are inadequate, have been stopped too soon or are not being paid in a timely manner.
9. Your injury falls into the "more difficult to prove" category, such as mental health conditions that result in physical conditions. For example, work stress that leads to a heart attack.
10. Your injury is the result of repeated activity that has caused a debilitating injury or repeated exposure to a toxic substance. For example, lung disease from exposure to asbestos, which occurred over time.
Don't delay in seeking assistance from a workers' comp attorney like the Law Offices of Terry Katz & Associates if any of the above red flags apply to your situation. Keep in mind that every state has their own statute of limitations, so don't miss out on the opportunity to file a personal injury lawsuit if your workers' comp insurance is not cooperating.