Workers’ Compensation Lawyer: Do You Need One?
Bryan Greenberg
Workers’ Compensation
When you are injured at work, it can be hard to tell whether you need a workers’ compensation lawyer. Since cases vary, you have to understand how vital it is to have a lawyer by your side. Before you make a decision, here are some things you should know about hiring a lawyer and not hiring one. When You Need A Lawyer
If you find yourself in dispute with the insurer, that’s a good time to consider hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer to help you out. You will need to gather evidence to challenge the position of the insurance company, and that may include depositions and testimonies from expert witnesses. Those tasks call for legal knowledge and skills.
Here are other reasons you need to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer:
• Denied Claim - There are various reasons why insurance companies deny workers’ compensation claims. You can appeal the denial through the system, which will require you to file formal paperwork, use legal tools to obtain evidence, and present your case at a hearing.
• Disputed Permanent Disability Rating - A considerable part of workers’ compensation settlement awards is for permanent disability benefits, which are calculated based on your permanent disability rating. If the insurer doesn’t agree with the rating assigned by your doctor, you may have to undergo an independent medical examination (IME) with a doctor of the insurer’s choosing. The IME doctor will likely provide you with a much lower disability rating, which the insurer can use to justify lowballing you. A lawyer will be vital in this case to help you get a fair settlement or convince the judge that you are entitled to a higher rating.
• Pre-Existing Condition - If you have a pre-existing condition that involves the same body part you injured while at work, it’s going to be a huge battle between you and the insurer. The insurer will likely blame you for the injury considering that you already have a pre-existing condition.
• Trouble Getting Necessary Treatment - Some insurers tend to deny or delay the approval of expensive medical procedures such as surgeries. A lawyer can put pressure on the insurance company to approve the necessary medical treatments.
• Workability Is Affected - If you find yourself in unable to work anymore, then you need to maximize the benefits that you can get out of your workers’ compensation. A lawyer can help you do just that.
• Workers’ Comp Hearing - A workers’ comp hearing takes place when the insurance company doesn’t want to settle or only gives low settlement offers. To get the compensation you deserve, you have to prove your case at a hearing, in which case you will need a lawyer by your side.
• Government Benefits - If you are receiving government benefits, such as social security disability, your workers’ compensation benefits may be reduced. A lawyer can assist you in minimizing your social security benefits.
A workers’ compensation lawyer can help you through the process and ensure that you get the right compensation for injuries sustained at work. A lawyer can gather all the pieces of evidence that can strengthen your claim, such as medical records. Your lawyer will also help you ask for medical opinions and conduct depositions of medical experts.
When you hire a workers’ comp lawyer, you don’t have to worry about the negotiation of settlement agreements. They will structure the agreement in your favor. Lawyers already know the negotiating tricks and strategies used by insurance companies, so they can help you find the best settlement suited to your needs.
Aside from representing you at hearings, your lawyer can advise you on third-party claims and other potential benefits you’re eligible for. Those benefits include vocational rehabilitation assistance, wage reimbursement, long-term disability insurance benefits, and many more.