Unfortunately, working is not a task that most people can avoid doing, as it is necessary for survival. No matter which type of career a worker may have, there is the risk of getting injured on the job and needing time off from work. Depending on state laws, it is usually a requirement for certain employers to have workers compensation insurance to cover injured employees. An employer can deny workers compensation benefits to an injured employee, but sometimes the denial is not fair and can be contested. If you need to contest a denial, there are several reasons why hiring a lawyer is a wise decision rather than handling the dispute on your own.
You Might Not Qualify for Benefits
Just because you were injured at work, it does not mean that your employer's insurance company must pay you workers compensation benefits. The reason is because there are rules that must be followed after getting injured at work, including reporting the injury within a specific period of time. For example, if you did not report the injury until long after the incident occurred, it is not fair to your employer because they might believe the injury happened elsewhere. Hiring a lawyer is wise because you will receive advice regarding whether you are qualified for workers compensation benefits or not. A lawyer will know if you are qualified for benefits based on the evidence and the laws in your state.
Obtain Benefits You Do Not Know About
It is common for most employees to think that workers compensation only involves getting paid for medical treatment. However, there is a lot more to workers compensation benefits than most people may think. For example, in some states, the benefits might include getting approved for vocational training in an attempt to help an injured worker keep or regain employment. Depending on how much time you have spent away from work, you might also qualify for disability benefits via filing a workers compensation claim. It is worth hiring a lawyer to contest the denial and let you know about the fullest extent of workers compensation benefits that you are qualified to receive.
Request a Lump Sum of Money
Rather than receiving payments on a regular basis after your denial for benefits is overturned, a lawyer can assist with receiving a lump sum of money. The advantage of requesting a lump sum of money is that you know what you will have to live on without worrying about the insurance company stopping your benefits. A lump sum of money is ideal if you have a serious injury that might require long-term treatment. Keep in mind that a lawyer can also file a lawsuit against the insurance company if your denial is not overturned.
Reach out to a workers comp attorney near you to learn more.
