When you are hurt at work in Richmond, you may have many questions on your mind. Injured workers often don’t understand the complex aspects of workers’ compensation system. Depending on your injuries, you may discover that you cannot go back to work anytime soon, and expectedly, you will have to spend a lot on medical care and treatment. Instead of trying to navigate everything alone, consider consulting a Richmond workers’ compensation lawyer for some guidance. In this post, we are discussing the need to get an attorney.
Basic things to know
Many injured workers are actually worried about suing their employer or losing their job for initiating a claim. Let’s start with a basic fact – The workers’ compensation system is a no-fault system, where you are seeking insurance benefits and not suing your minishortner employer. Like in most states, Virginia is an at-will employment state, which means you could be fired for any reason. Just because you are seeking legal help from a lawyer is not a reason why your employer would terminate your contract. Thirdly, hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer is not about having deep pockets. Most lawyers will ask for a contingency fee, which is a fixed part of the benefits you recover, and the amount is payable when you win.
The role of workers’ compensation lawyers
After a work injury, you need to concentrate on getting better. Once you hire an attorney, they will evaluate your workers’ compensation claim and make a request for records, including accident reports, medical records, and other notes. They are also in charge of communicating with the insurance company so that you don’t end up saying anything to the adjuster or insurance representative that could be used against you. They will also take care of the claims process, fill up the forms, and check other details. Your lawyer is also responsible for checking whether you are entitled to Cost-of-Living Adjustments. If your claim is denied, they will assess details for further hearings and work on the case further.
Final word
Injuries can leave you grappling with many things at once, and when your health and future are at risk, there is no sense in taking chances. Also, you cannot blindly trust the insurance company to tell you the truth or be fair with your claim. Get a workers’ compensation lawyer so that you have bespoke services at your disposal and can get legal representation.
