Getting injured at work can feel like your life has been turned upside down. The mere thought of injuries, hip injuries, and lost wages can turn somebody’s stomach. But what if we told you that there was a silver lining? With an employment injury lawyer by your side, you can do more than overcome this challenge.
You can turn an accident into an opportunity.
Here’s how it works. You have been injured on the job. Whether it was pizza delivery or washing the utensils at a very busy soup kitchen, there are certain tricks of the trade that certain people don't want you to know about. These are smart strategies that can help lawyers make a difference in their injury claims.
Why Hiring an Employment Injury Lawyer is Crucial
When Mary slipped on the wet factory floor, she didn’t know she would twist her wrist so badly. She ended up needing treatment and couldn’t work for several weeks. Picking up the odd shift at the factory was her only source of income. To top it all off, her employer made her sign so many forms in an attempt to delay her pay.
As soon as she hired an employment injury lawyer, all that changed. The lawyer was able to push the insurance company into paying for her medical bills and lost wages. She was finally able to rest and recover from her injuries once the attorney took over the case.
What made the biggest difference was what the attorney did behind the scenes. Here are some examples of what an employment injury lawyer always does for you:
- They assess the case to determine how much compensation you are owed. This includes collecting medical records, accident reports, and detailing the injuries. Once they have the details, they can decide on a number to pursue.
- They handle all the paperwork for your case. This way, you know that all the claims have been filed correctly, and you won’t be swindled out of your compensation based on technical errors that the insurance company is hoping you would make.
- With the help of a workplace accident lawyer, you can be sure that if you are denied, the case can still be pursued in court.
Unfair Tactics That Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Can Protect You From
Often, even if an employee reports the injury to the supervisor and then seeks a doctor, the insurance company will call to tell them that their claim has been denied. They use arguments like the injury is not serious enough or that the injury is not work-related to get out of paying.
Not only is this unfair, but it is also a violation of workers’ rights. This is why you need a workers’ compensation attorney to check your insurance documents to see exactly why your claim was denied, along with the deadlines.
Meet Important Deadlines
Employment injury lawyers can handle paperwork for you and meet deadlines so that you never miss out on your insurance benefits. This is because compensation attorneys know exactly the game that insurance companies are playing. They’ve played it several times.
Handle Negotiations
You can count on a workers’ compensation attorney to negotiate with insurance companies so that you don’t just get the medical bills you owe covered. Still, you also recover lost wages and long-term disability or rehab costs.
Educate Workers
Yes, all of this is within your rights. The problem is that insurance companies will never tell you that. They are relying on you not knowing your rights. But with the support of a seasoned injury lawyer at a firm such as the Law Offices of John C. Ye, you can get a much better settlement than you ever imagined.
We educate you on your legal rights so that you can protect yourself from unfair tactics.
How to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim (The Right Way)
One of the most challenging encounters you will face as a new worker is filing the form that the insurance company gives you after you have been in an accident. This is because they believe they don’t have enough proof to determine that the accident happened at work.
Insurance companies are trying to save money, and so they will cling to the smallest possibility to try to deny your claims. But you shouldn’t let that discourage you.
With the help of an employment injury lawyer, you can use “inside secrets” to ensure your case has all the evidence it needs to get processed.
Here are some ways a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer can help you outsmart the insurance company:
Document Everything
The more documentation you have to support your claim, the better it is. A lot of people make the mistake of delaying the claim or waiting too long to report the accident, but you must do it right away and with documentation.
Whether it is medical records, pictures or photos of the injury, medical bills, prescriptions, or time-off records, you should be able to let people know that you have sustained an injury.
The evidence you think you have is probably not enough. In fact, you must cover all your bases. This means getting a coworker’s statement and even asking your doctor to give you a detailed medical record showing the injury, follow-up treatment, doctor notes, and the like.
You want to prove that you are eligible for the compensation under cross-examination.
Don’t Let Them Lowball You
Insurance companies have one goal, and that is to offer you a quick settlement. This way, they can close the case and protect the company by denying your claim or only paying the medical bills or injury compensation.
An employment injury lawyer understands that their client is being low-balled. So they do their own calculations to include medical bills, lost wages, and much more.
When the insurance company realizes you are not playing along, they will drop the lowballing tactics and start a negotiation.
Take Your Time
One of the most effective tactics that insurance companies use is making you think there is an emergency whenever there isn’t any. Once you have filed a case, it can take time. You don’t need to rush and negotiate a fair settlement right away.
Increase Your Compensation by Hiring a Work Accident Injury Attorney
Handling workplace communication by yourself is the surest way to set yourself up for failure. Not only do you run the risk of missing a deadline, but you can also misunderstand paperwork and unknowingly accept additional costs.
This is why you need an experienced employment injury attorney by your side. They can help you understand what works and what doesn’t, and you can concentrate on making a full recovery.
If you are ready to take your case to court, call the Law Offices of John C. Ye today to learn more about how we can help you claim damages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an employment injury lawyer do?
An employment injury lawyer helps workers file claims after getting hurt on the job. They handle paperwork, deal with insurance companies, and fight to secure fair compensation for medical bills and lost wages.
When should I contact a workers’ compensation attorney?
It’s best to contact one immediately after your injury is reported. Early help ensures no deadlines are missed, and your rights are protected from day one.
What if my workers’ compensation claim gets denied?
A lawyer can review why the denial happened, collect stronger evidence, and file an appeal. Many denied claims are approved later when handled by legal professionals.
How much does a workers’ compensation attorney cost?
Most attorneys work on a contingency fee, meaning they only get paid if you win or reach a settlement. No upfront costs are typically required.
Can I choose my own doctor for treatment?
This depends on state rules and your employer’s insurance policy. A lawyer can guide you so your medical care doesn’t harm your claim.
What if my injury happens outside the office?
If it happened while performing a work-related task (like deliveries or travel for work), it may still qualify. A lawyer helps prove the connection to your job.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Workers’ compensation deadlines are strict and vary by location, sometimes as short as a few days to report and a year to file. Missing these can cancel your benefits.
What injuries qualify for workers’ compensation?
From sudden accidents (like slips or falls) to long-term conditions (like back strain or carpal tunnel), any injury caused by your job may qualify.
Can I get compensation if the accident was my fault?
Usually, yes, workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, meaning you can still receive benefits as long as you weren’t doing something unsafe on purpose.
What benefits can I receive through a work injury claim?
You may receive medical coverage, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, disability benefits, and sometimes compensation for permanent injuries.
