Accidents at the workplace are common. Not all accidents have serious consequences for those involved. If you have sustained injuries at work, you may have to pay high medical bills and deal with things like loss of wages. The workers’ compensation system in Virginia is quite easy to understand, but more often than not, employers and insurance companies make things hard. In your best interest, you should consider hiring a Virginia Beach Workers’ Compensation Lawyer by your side. Here are some of the basic things that you can expect an attorney to do.
Offer advice
First things first, your lawyer will explain the workers’ compensation system and what you are entitled to. Depending on your injuries and losses, you may get medical benefits, wage reimbursement, and temporary or permanent total disability benefits. Your first meeting with a lawyer would be about discussing the accident and your injuries, and you can expect the lawyer to offer a fair overview of everything.
Gathering evidence
To get benefits under workers’ compensation of Virginia, you have to prove that your injuries are a direct result of a work-related accident. For that, evidence will be crucial. If you are hiring a lawyer, you can expect them to gather all your medical records and relevant evidence. They will also talk to experts and physicians to determine the possible cause and impact of the accident. They will do the necessary legal research and draft documents as required. Expect your lawyer to help with the workers’ compensation claim, so that the insurance company doesn’t deny it on unexplained grounds.
Negotiate and appeal
Eventually, the money you get through workers’ compensation comes from the insurance company. These are for-profit businesses that don’t necessarily sympathize with injured workers. Allow your attorney to take over and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. While a number of workers’ compensation claims are settled outside of court, your lawyer can go to trial if settlement doesn’t yield results. If the verdict in court is in favor of the insurance company, expect the workers’ compensation lawyer to appeal further.
Consultation
Your lawyer is your best resource for understanding how much you can really expect in workers’ compensation benefits. Also, if your employer has retaliated against you, your lawyer may consider a lawsuit. However, for a work-related injury, injured workers and employees cannot sue the employer directly in Virginia.
Hire an experienced lawyer to get advice now!
