Virginia Beach Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that 2.9 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses occurred in 2016. Though this number represents a decrease over previous years, it is a reminder that many employees are at still at risk of injury in on-the-job accidents.
If you were hurt in a workplace accident, Virginia workers’ compensation Attorney Jan Hoen can help you obtain the benefits you are entitled to receive by law. He is dedicated to assisting with the claims filing process and representing your rights in disputes involving your employer and/or insurance company. Please contact Hampton Injury Law to set up a free consultation to discuss your claim. You may also find it useful to review some important information about these claims.
Overview of Virginia Workers’ Compensation Laws
Virginia laws protect employees who are hurt in work-related accidents by offering monetary benefits to help them get back to work as soon as possible. The source of these funds is the workers’ comp insurance that most employers are required to procure. Instead of costly personal injury litigation, which can take months or even years, an injured worker can file a claim with the insurer and promptly start receiving benefits.
There are certain eligibility requirements, many of which can cause disputes among the employee, the employer, and the insurance company. The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission is tasked with safeguarding employees’ rights in these disputes and enforcing the relevant laws.
Eligibility for Workers’ Comp Benefits
An injured employee may file a claim for benefits, but it must meet certain standards under the state’s workers’ compensation laws:
- The claim must involve a covered employee, which may include a contractor, family member, undocumented workers, corporate officers, depending on the circumstances.
- The employer must be required by law to carry workers’ comp insurance, as the law does not apply to companies with less than two part-time or full-time employees.
- The claim must relate to an incident that happened at work, while the employee was engaged in work tasks. The accident must also have occurred suddenly since injuries that develop over time are not qualifying injuries.
Benefits Available Under Workers’ Compensation Laws
If you are eligible as a victim of a qualifying injury, you can obtain lifetime medical benefits for the expenses you incur for treatment. You may also recover wage replacement benefits, including:
- Temporary Total Disability Benefits;
- Temporary Partial Disability Benefits;
- Permanent Total Disability Benefits; and,
- Permanent Partial Disability Benefits.
In addition, a deceased employee’s family members may recover death benefits under workers’ comp laws.
Consult with a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Virginia Beach Today
Injured employees do have rights under Virginia’s workers’ comp laws, but strict eligibility rules and filing requirements can be complex. Plus, you may get pushback from your employer or insurance company that contests your claim. If you were hurt in a work-related accident in Virginia Beach, VA, workers’ compensation Mr. Hoen will fight for your rights and help you obtain the benefits you deserve by law. Please contact Hampton Injury Law by calling 757.838.1136, or going online to schedule a free consultation.
