Hampton Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If you were hurt at work and have not fully thought out how your injuries will affect your life, some statistics from the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission (VWCC) may provide some insight. In its Annual Report for 2017, VWCC reported that there were 58,094 major workplace injuries to employees, at an average of four disability days per claim. To lose income for time off can put you in a serious financial predicament, especially at a time when your medical bills are piling up.
Virginia workers’ comp laws are intended to provide financial support when the unexpected occurs, by providing monetary benefits to help you through difficult times. Please contact Hampton Injury Law to learn more about your rights. We can schedule a free case evaluation with a Hampton workers’ compensation lawyer who can explain how these cases work.
Summary of Virginia Workers’ Comp Laws
When you are hurt in a workplace accident, your first priorities are recovering from your injuries and getting back to work. The workers’ compensation system is designed to assist you in meeting these objectives by providing monetary benefits as described below. Your first step is to notify your employer of your injuries and file a claim through your employer’s workers comp insurance company.
The primary advantage of Virginia’s workers’ compensation laws is that you do not have to prove that your employer was at fault in causing your injuries. The downside is that workers’ comp is your sole remedy. You cannot file a lawsuit in court unless your situation falls within one of the limited exceptions, which an attorney can explain in more detail.
Benefits Available for Qualifying Employees
The exact amount of your workers’ comp benefits will depend upon your unique circumstances. However, they may include:
- Coverage of the medical costs you incur to treat your medical condition;
- Amounts to cover the wages you lose because of being unable to work; and,
- Death benefits, if you’re a family member who lost a loved one because of a work-related illness or injury.
Challenges with Your Workers’ Comp Claim
The process of filing a claim with your employer’s workers comp insurance company may seem simple, but you could run into obstacles. Some common challenges you may encounter include:
- Disputes over the severity of your injuries and the amount of time you need to recover from them;
- Arguments that your injuries didn’t happen while you were working; or,
- Disagreements regarding how much medical care you require.
Plus, one of the biggest disputes regarding workers’ comp benefits may arise if your employer asserts that you are not a covered employee. This could result if you are misclassified as an independent contractor instead of an employee who enjoys protection under workers’ comp laws.
Call Now to Speak to a Hampton Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
For additional information about the importance of retaining solid legal counsel, please call Hampton Injury Law to set up a no-cost case evaluation. Our Hampton workers’ compensation attorneys can assist with the claims process, and we are prepared to overcome potential challenges in seeking the benefits you deserve.
