when to contact lawyer after work injury

by Mr. Levi Tromp 4 min read

The best time to hire a workers’ compensation attorney is immediately after you get injured. An experienced attorney will be in the best position to guide you through the often-complicated process of getting you the help and disability benefits you need.

After an injury on the job, millions of employees wonder when it's a good time to call a workers' comp attorney. The short answer is that you should call for help as soon as you get hurt. While the claim filing process might seem straightforward and easy, many people are shocked when their claims are denied.May 17, 2021

Full Answer

Do you need a lawyer after a work injury?

Remember that every second counts after a work injury, and putting off a claim or speaking to a lawyer can prevent you from getting the benefits you deserve. Our workers’ compensation attorneys are standing by. Call (844) 243-4823 or contact us via an online chat today.

When to get a lawyer for a Workers Comp case?

Apr 12, 2022 · You need to call as soon as you can after your personal injury to speak to a lawyer so they can help determine your best course of action. An initial case evaluation can help you determine if you need a workers’ comp lawyer to help you through the workers’ compensation claims process.

When should I contact a personal injury attorney after an accident?

It is always important to call a lawyer about your accident as soon as possible after the event has occurred, especially if any of the following conditions apply. If any of these apply, you may need a lawyer 1. Broken bones, hospital stay, long-term health affected 2. …

How busy should a work accident attorney be?

You can find a local lawyer who handles workplace injury claims through WorkInjurySource.com. We help injured workers connect with local workplace injury lawyers in all 50 states. Simply click for a free claim assessment; and, if it appears that you may have a claim, you will be put in touch with a local lawyer.

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Who is Eligible to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

Most employees who get injured at work are eligible to file workers’ compensation claims. If you work for a company, receive a regular paycheck, an...

Do I Need a Workplace Injury Lawyer to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

While you don’t technically need a workplace injury lawyer to file a workers’ compensation claim, hiring a lawyer is strongly recommended. Why? Fir...

Are Workplace Injury Lawyers Free?

Workplace injury lawyers are not free, but they work on a contingency-fee basis. This means that you don’t have to pay anything out of pocket for a...

Should Injured Workers Always Hire Workplace Injury Lawyers?

Yes, if you’ve been injured on the job, you have no reason not to hire a lawyer to help you. Even taking your lawyer’s contingency fees into accoun...

How Can I Find a Lawyer Near Me Who Handles Workplace Injuries?

You can find a local lawyer who handles workplace injury claims through WorkInjurySource.com. We help injured workers connect with local workplace...

What are the Risks if I Don’t Hire a Lawyer for My Workers’ Compensation Claim?

If you don’t hire a lawyer for your workers’ compensation claim, the risks are: (i) you won’t receive the full benefits you deserve, and (ii) you m...

What to do when you have an injury?

Taking care of the injury is the most important thing for you to do – even if you’re unsure whether you’ve actually been injured or not. Once your injury has been stabilized, it will be in your best interest to speak to an attorney. (See when to walk and when to run to a lawyer .)

What to do after an accident?

When you have been injured in any type of accident, you should immediately seek medical care for your injuries. It does not matter if it is a vehicle accident, slip and fall, or work accident. Taking care of the injury is the most important thing for you to do – even if you’re unsure whether ...

What happens if you have a long term injury?

If there are going to be long term effects from your injury, your lifestyle will change. This may include the inability to return to your current job or profession , the need for special renovations to your home and vehicle, and loss of income for the rest of your life.

Can a spouse sue for wrongful death?

In most cases, direct family members, spouse and dependent children qualify for wrongful death. However, there are some instances where parents of minor children who died in an accident or as a result of an injury can sue for wrongful death.

What happens when you get injured in an accident?

When serious injuries occur as the result of an accident, you may be facing extended medical care or even life-time care. The cost for this type of medical care will be very high.

What happens if a family member dies in an accident?

If the accident resulted in the death of your family member, you may have certain rights under the law to seek compensation for wrongful death. You will need to speak with an attorney to see if you qualify for this type of case under the laws of your state.

Can you get compensation for a long term injury?

Even if your injuries are not life threatening or long term, the medical costs associated with treating your injuries may be expensive. It is your right to seek compensation for these costs.

What to do if you have been injured on the job?

If you have been injured on the job, don’t just become another statistic. Stand up for your legal rights, and hire an experienced work accident attorney and to help you. Not only do you have every right to seek legal representation, but you also have every reason to do so.

What is a work injury case?

Most work injury cases involve claims for workers’ compensation benefits. If you have a workers’ comp claim, you are going to want to choose a lawyer who has specific experience dealing with the workers’ compensation laws in your state.

How many people get injured on the job each year?

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), close to three percent of full-time workers get injured on the job each year.

Can you get disability if you are injured?

If your pain or the physical limitations caused by your injury or illness make it difficult (or impossible) for you to work, then you may be entitled to compensation above and beyond your medical expenses. In order to recover maximum disability benefits (and potentially other compensation as well), you will need to hire a work accident attorney to handle your claim (s) on your behalf.

Can minor injuries be considered workers compensation?

Minor injuries that do not require medical treatment often won’t be enough to support a claim for workers’ compensation benefits, much less personal injury damages. But, if you need medical treatment in order to recover, then your medical expenses and other losses could be substantial.

How to make informed decisions about a lawyer?

The easiest way to do this is by reading reviews and testimonials online. Just be aware that law firms will typically pick and choose the reviews and testimonials they post on their websites, while third-party sites are more likely to provide a less-biased view.

Do injured workers get compensation?

Many injured workers are entitled to significant financial compensation for their injuries. When you hire an attorney to help you, your attorney will accurately calculate the full compensation you are entitled to recover.

What does an attorney do for you?

A lawyer will file the paperwork on time, build your case, negotiate with the insurance company and draft a settlement, if one is agreed on. If it’s not, you’re headed for a hearing.

How long does it take to file a workers comp claim?

Reporting regulations and deadlines vary from state to state, but it should typically take no longer than 30 days to complete this process.

Do attorneys cross-examine witnesses?

An attorney not only will prepare your argument, he or she will prepare you to say the right things in testimony. They also will cross-examine the insurance company’s witnesses. That job should not be left up to amateurs. Unlike civil cases, workers compensation law has a safety net of sort.

When is a settlement final?

When an employee represents himself or herself, the settlement is not final until the judge approves it. They can reject the settlement if they feel it’s not reasonable and the employee is getting a raw deal. But the settlement usually has to be grossly unfair for a judge to reject it.

Can SSDI be reduced?

You plan file for Social Security disability benefits – Those benefits, known as SSDI , may be reduced by workers comp benefits. A lawyer can structure your settlement to minimize or eliminate the offset. Your employer retaliates against you – If you are fired, demoted, have your hours cut or are pressured to return to work too soon, ...

How long do you have to report an injury to your employer?

Most states require that you report your injury within a certain period of time, typically the same day or within a few days of the incident.

What rights do you have when you are injured?

Generally speaking, however, there are a number of legal rights that are common across most states: you have the right to see a doctor and to pursue medical treatment.

What are the rights of workers compensation?

Generally speaking, however, there are a number of legal rights that are common across most states: 1 you have the right to file a claim for your injury or illness in workers compensation court or the state industrial court 2 you have the right to see a doctor and to pursue medical treatment 3 if you are released to return to work by your physician, you have the right to return to your job 4 if you are unable to return to work because of your injury or illness, whether permanently or even temporarily, you have the right to some type of disability compensation 5 if you disagree with any decision by your employer, the employer's insurance company, or the workers' compensation court, you generally have the right to appeal that decision, and 6 you have the right to be represented by a lawyer throughout the process.

What causes an injury on the job?

Sometimes your on-the-job injury might have been caused by the negligence of a third party. Depending on the circumstances, this other person or entity may be a designer or manufacturer of a defective piece of equipment or perhaps the driver of a delivery truck.

Can you be injured on the job?

Occasionally, however, employees can still be injured on the job even when every effort has been made to make a workplace safe. These injuries may include everything from broken bones, aggravations of pre-existing conditions, occupational illnesses, even psychological injuries.

What is third party claim?

If you are injured while at work due to the negligence of another party, you may have the right to bring a claim against that person or entity. These are known as "third party claims.". Typically, these claims are not filed in the workers' compensation universe.

Do employers have to provide a safe work environment?

Employers in every state are required to provide to their employees a reasonably safe and healthy work environment. Sometimes employers fail to fulfill this duty, and employees are injured as a result. Occasionally, however, employees can still be injured on the job even when every effort has been made to make a workplace safe.

How long do you have to report an injury to your employer?

These deadlines are often very short (as short as three or four days in some states). If you do not report your injury to your employer in time, you could lose your claim for benefits.

What happens if you don't report your injury to your employer?

If you do not report your injury to your employer in time, you could lose your claim for benefits. So, after getting injured on the job, one of the most-important pieces of advice you need is how quickly you need to file your claim. 2.

What happens if you return to work too soon?

If you return too soon, you could jeopardize your benefits (not to mention your health). An experienced workers’ comp attorney will be able to help you understand your legal rights so that you can make an informed decision about when (or whether) you should go back to your job. 8.

What happens if you don't know what you are entitled to?

If you don’t know what benefits you are entitled to recover, you will almost certainly settle for too little too soon.

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