When you have been involved in a serious accident, it is crucial to not only understand your rights, but to exercise caution when you talk with anyone. You should be able to work with a professional attorney to move forward with getting the settlement you need to heal and recover, although many people don't see it that way.
Choosing a new attorney could be the difference between getting a great settlement and watching possibilities slip out of your fingers. On this blog, learn more about what it means to work with a new lawyer, and how they could help you to start on the road to recovery.
4 Things That May Prevent You From Getting Worker's Compensation
If you work in an industry where you do a lot of heavy lifting, you work with machinery, or you are basically doing anything other than sitting behind a desk, you may be putting yourself at risk of getting an injury nearly every day. With statistics reporting an increase of worker's compensation claims reported every year, if you were recently injured on the job this year, you know that you aren't alone.
When you are injured on the job, you may be entitled to what are called Worker's Compensation Benefits. These benefits will help cover 100% of your medical bills and will give you some cash compensation to cover lost wages. The tricky thing about worker's compensation is that you have to file a proper claim to show that you were in fact injured and not committing fraud. If you were injured, the process should be fairly easy, but there are a few things that may prevent you from getting benefits.
Not Getting Medical Attention
How are you supposed to prove that you were truly injured on the job unless you go to the hospital or doctor's office? When you seek medical attention, they will not only get you taken care of, but they will also have documentation on hand that shows that you were injured while at work.
Not Documenting the Injury
After you have gotten the medical attention that you need, the next thing you should do is make sure that you document your injury with your work. Typically, your Human Resources department will be responsible for handing all of these claims. Just make sure that everything is written and that you get a copy of it for your own records.
Signing Legal Documentation Without a Lawyer
Your work may try to get you to sign legal documentation right away stating that you won't pursue a lawsuit or file any claims against them, but that may truly hinder your Worker's Compensation claim. Before you sign any type of paperwork, make sure that you meet with a worker's compensation attorney first; they will be able to advise you regarding what to sign and what not to sign.
Not Hiring a Lawyer
In addition to hiring a lawyer to look over contracts, having a lawyer will also help you get all of your worker's compensation benefits. These types of attorneys are great at filing all paperwork, representing you in court, and gathering all documentation that will support your case.