If you suffered an injury while at work and are having a hard time figuring out how to get compensated for the medical bills you incurred to get treatment for your injury, here is some information that may help clear up a little of the confusion.
All companies are required by law to have a workers’ compensation insurance policy that kicks in if you are injured at work. This policy protects the companies from being sued every time there is any type of injury, but it also provides a means for employees who are injured on the job to get their medical expenses covered or reimbursed.
Sometimes the insurance companies or the business will deny your claim — even if it is valid — for many reasons. This means if you want to get reimbursed you have to file an appeal, which can be really confusing and time-consuming. A lot of employees do not have the wherewithal or time to figure out how to go through the appeal process and eventually give up on pursuing the claim altogether.
How a Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help
A skilled workers’ comp attorney is experienced at pursuing avenues in the worker’s compensation insurance world because they have done so successfully many, many times. They know who to contact in the insurance provider’s company to contact on your behalf. Lawyers can negotiate a fair settlement and be your representative at the workers’ compensation hearing.
Insurance companies are working for your employer and not necessarily in your best interests. That is why they may deny your claim for reasons that do not make sense to you.
An attorney can help collect evidence to back up and verify your claim
One of the most common reasons a claim is denied by workers comp insurance providers is because of a lack of evidence from medical providers backing up your injury claim. It is always to your benefit to gather as much information as possible. An attorney can help you by:
- Getting appointments with physicians comfortable with workers’ comp forms
- Arranging for you to get another medical opinion in addition to the one you received from the recommended workers’ comp medical professionals
- Requesting and handling depositions of medical experts
- Representing you at hearings and depositions
Other evidence that can help your claim include:
- Expert testimony concerning the requirements of your job and how it could have contributed to your injury
- Family and friend’s documents witnessing your day-to-day activities before and after the injury
- Any proof you can gather that your workplace was unsafe or did not offer adequate training
There are several different ways an attorney can help you with your workers’ comp claim, including representing you at a denial appeal hearing. An attorney can also advise you if they feel you may have a case against a third-party, such as the manufacturer of a piece of equipment that may have been defective and caused your injury. It is difficult to sue your employer or the workers’ comp insurance provider. An experienced workers’ comp lawyer, can discuss your particular case and advise you if they believe you have a possible third-party personal injury claim. They can also work with you and the workers’ compensation provider to help get you the benefits you are entitled to receive.