When To Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

In 2021, more than 2 million US workers suffered non-fatal work-related injuries and illnesses. The severity of these injuries can vary widely depending on the type of work done. Workplace injuries can result from overexertion, distractions, fatigue, violence, slip and fall, and poor housekeeping. The most common injuries suffered in a workplace setting include sprains, fractures, severed limbs, burns, cuts, lacerations, and back pain.

If you're a workplace accident victim, the law entitles you to workers’ compensation. The compensation covers all expenses incurred due to job-related injuries or illness. The monetary reimbursement covers both economic and non-economic damages. These may include medical bills, lost quality of life, loss of earning capacity, pain, and suffering.

While the process of getting the compensation might appear straightforward, you'll need a workers’ compensation attorney to navigate it. The attorney will collect evidence, prove your claim and negotiate to get you the right compensation. But you may wonder if your case calls for a workers’ compensation lawyer. If you’re in one of the following situations, you should hire one.

Your Employer Denies You Compensation

Your employer or insurance companies can deny you compensation for various reasons. One common scenario is when you suffer a minimal injury and don't report it. If such injury goes unreported but worsens over time to affect your daily life and job, your employer or insurance can deny or delay compensation.

If your employer dismisses your claim citing legal reasons, hire a reputable lawyer to defend your rights. The attorney will investigate your case and offer the best legal representation with your best interests at heart. If the at-fault party doesn't cooperate to ensure a reasonable settlement, the attorney may opt for a trial to get you the deserved compensation.

You Suffer Life-Altering Injuries

Workplace accidents can cause simple injuries such as scratches or minor cuts that only take a few days to heal. However, in severe cases, these accidents can lead to severe and permanent injuries such as limb loss, brain or spine injuries, or severe burns. Such workplace injuries can cause partial or total disability, negatively impacting the victim's life.

Besides these injuries being life-changing, they can be very expensive to treat. As the victim, you should get the right compensation to cover medical expenses and other lasting damages. Such a claim can be worth significant compensation, and your employer might not be willing to pay. In such a case, you'll need the right legal representation.

The right workers’ comp attorney will determine the accurate value of your claim and have solid evidence to prove the amount. The lawyer can ensure you get decent compensation that reflects all present and future damages resulting from the workplace accident.

You Get Low Compensation

While your employer may agree to compensate you for the injuries, they might offer a settlement that is too low. Such compensation may fail to cover the medical bills, lost wages, travel costs, and other losses related to workplace accidents. If your employer claims they have adequately compensated you but you have to pay for some expenses out of your own pocket, talk to a reputable workers’ compensation lawyer.

By working with the right attorney, all your bills and expenses are covered in the settlement. With adequate compensation, you can take care of all your financial needs for the time you won't be working or earning. 

Workplace accidents can happen to anyone. If you've suffered a workplace-related injury or illness, hire a worker's compensation attorney as soon as possible. The attorney will guide you through the entire claim process to guarantee fast and favorable results. Contact Spooner & Perkins, P.C., for a free evaluation of your case.