Newport News Workers Comp Attorney
You might assume that your work environment is a safe one when your employer complies with regulations, provides proper protective gear, and maintains an orderly facility. Unfortunately, workplace accidents can occur despite these efforts. According to the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission (VWCC) Annual Report for 2018, employees hurt in on-the-job accidents were out of work for an average of four days. Lost wages can create significant hardship when you are incurring medical bills for treatment, especially along with all your normal living expenses.
Virginia’s workers’ compensation system is designed to protect your interests by paying out monetary benefits to support you financially during these difficult times. If you were hurt at work, please contact Hampton Injury Law to learn more about eligibility and filing a claim. You can speak to a Newport News workers’ comp attorney regarding the process, and read on for some background information.
Overview of Virginia Workers’ Comp Laws
The objective of the state workers’ compensation system is to offer financial benefits to injured workers, so they can get back to health and return to their jobs as quickly as possible. As such, the laws require employers to purchase insurance to cover the losses of injured employees. Instead of filing a lawsuit, in which you would need to prove your employer was negligent, you file an insurance claim. However, you must meet certain eligibility rules:
You must work for an employer that has three or more full- or part-time workers;
- You must be an actual employee, instead of an independent contractor; and,
- Your injuries must be the result of a workplace accident or job-related conditions.
Reasons an Insurance Company May Deny Your Claim
Despite meeting the eligibility rules, the insurer may reject a legitimate workers’ comp claim. The insurance company may allege that your injuries were not serious enough to warrant medical treatment, or that you were not injured while performing job-related tasks. For this reason, it is essential to have a workers’ comp lawyer fight for your rights to monetary benefits.
Benefits You Can Recover Through a Workers’ Comp Claim
If you are approved by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company, you may qualify for multiple monetary benefits. Examples include:
- Costs of medical care for your work-related injuries, for current treatment and for future care;
- Partial or total disability benefits, either on a permanent or temporary basis;
- Vocational training, so you can seek other employment if you cannot work at your current job; and,
- Death benefits, if you’re a qualifying family member who lost a loved one in a fatal workplace accident.
Consult with a Newport News Workers’ Comp Attorney Today
As you can see, there is more to a workers’ compensation case than simply filling out some forms and waiting for your check to arrive. The claims process for obtaining obtain your rightful benefits is challenging, and your matter becomes even more complicated if you need to take the next steps with the VWCC. Do not put your rights and workers’ comp benefits at risk. Please call Hampton Injury Law to set up your no-cost case evaluation today.
