Why Would You Need A Lawyer For Workers Comp?
Brian O Sutter
Workers’ Compensation
Workers compensation, or “workers comp,” is, in theory, a great idea. It’s designed as a financial safety net for honest workers. If in the course of a workday, you, as a worker, are injured through no fault of your own and are unable to earn your salary while you recover, workers comp is there for you. It steps in with the understanding that it’s unfair for you to lose money for an accidental injury and provides some financial support until you get back on your feet. In other words, workers comp is designed to be fair in helping out people that just need to earn money they are no longer able to through no fault of their own.However, in practice, workers comp doesn’t always work the way it’s intended to. As a result, sometimes people may need a little help to secure workers comp. Other times, they need a lot, and a workers comp lawyer may be able to help.
Complex & Demanding
Having a lawyer just to get workers comp may seem like a radical alternative to resort to. Still, in some cases, a lawyer represents the best chance at success. While it may surprise many, not every workers comp claim is easily applied for and granted. In 2018, for example, over 25000 claims in Florida alone were denied.
There could be numerous reasons for the denial. Workers comp applications, as to be expected from a government administrative process, are full of rules and regulations. Anything that fails to meet these requirements, however minor, may be denied. Unfortunately, there are so many rules, regulations, and protocols to observe that for someone unfamiliar with the process, a misstep isn’t too difficult to make. This is where lawyers can be crucial.
How Lawyers Help
A lawyer specializing in workers comp knows all the rules and regulations and the more common—and rare—honest mistakes that can result in a denial. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the workers comp process, an attorney can even be appointed to represent you. Should you go this route, an attorney may be authorized to perform some of the following on your behalf:
Social Security: A representative can get information based on your social security file with the proper authorization.
Assist Or Conduct Meetings: If there are any interviews, hearings, or conferences required, a representative can be present with you at these events or even attend and make decisions for them on your behalf instead.
Medical Verification: An authorized representative can secure the medical documents and other information required to evaluate a case.
Appeal Denials: A representative can also request a reconsideration of a decision or an outright appeal to get a decision reversed.
Prepare Witnesses: A representative can secure the cooperation of and prepare witnesses for statements or testimony that can help an appeal.
It’s important to note that someone without legal experience can take on the role of a representative, but for best results, it’s better to talk to a workers comp attorney who has experience with handling and overturning workers comp denials.