Williamsburg Workers’ Comp Attorney
Workplace safety is a top concern among Virginia employers, but accidents can still happen despite exercising an abundance of caution. Statistics reported by the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission (VWCC) in its Annual Report for 2018 indicate that there were more than 44,500 major injuries and in excess of 51,000 minor injuries reported. On average, these victims missed four days of work, creating serious financial hardship. While not earning wages, these individuals still incurred medical costs and regular household expenses.
If you find yourself in such a situation, you should know that the workers’ comp system does provide financial support to carry you through these difficult times. The key is eligibility since you could be denied benefits if you do not strictly conform to the rules. For more information on your rights and remedies, please contact Hampton Injury Law to discuss your situation with a Williamsburg workers’ comp attorney. You might also benefit from reviewing some basic legal concepts.
Your Rights Under Virginia Workers’ Comp Laws
State workers’ compensation laws create a no-fault system for workplace injuries and occupational diseases, in which you do not need to prove that your employer was responsible for causing your condition. Instead, Virginia companies are required to purchase workers’ comp insurance and you file a claim under your employer’s policy. Still, there are qualification rules you must meet:
- You must work for an organization that employs at least two full- or part-time workers;
- You need to be an actual employee since workers’ comp laws do not cover independent contractors; and,
- Your injuries must be the result of a workplace accident, OR your or occupational illness must be job-related.
Challenges in the Workers’ Compensation Process
Because you are dealing with an insurance company, you can expect obstacles in getting approval for your workers’ comp claim. The insurer will try to find reasons to deny it, so the company can avoid paying you on a rightful claim. Your version of the accident may be called into question, or the adjuster may dispute the severity of your injuries. An insurance company may even allege that you do not need to miss work because of your condition. For these reasons, skilled representation is a must.
Workers’ Comp Benefits for Qualifying Employees
If your claim is approved by the insurer, you may be able to receive:
- Costs of medical treatment;
- Partial or total disability benefits for a permanent or temporary disability;
- Vocational services to get you back to work if you cannot work in your chosen field; and,
- Death benefits, if you are the qualifying family member of a victim who died because of work-related injuries or illness.
Call Now to Speak to a Williamsburg Workers’ Comp Attorney
As you can see, getting the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve is much more involved than filling out a few forms. You could make errors in filing the proper paperwork, potentially leading to delays or a denial. To learn how we can assist with the claims process and additional tasks, please call Hampton Injury Law right away to schedule a free case evaluation.
