Mark Roman | November 21, 2024 | Workers' Compensation
If you were recently injured on the job, you may be considering filing a workers’ compensation claim and whether you need a workers’ comp lawyer. Knowing what a workers’ compensation lawyer does is critical to moving forward with your case.
Workers’ compensation laws are complex and intimidating. It is difficult to focus on your recovery when you are simultaneously dealing with a legal process. By working with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney, you can delegate the legal tasks to an experienced professional while you concentrate on your recovery. Your attorney can protect your legal rights throughout the process.
Here is a glimpse into what a workers’ compensation lawyer does:
Answer Legal Questions
After a workplace accident, you may have questions about workers’ compensation and how the process works. An experienced workers’ comp attorney can explain the legal path to recovering the compensation you are entitled to and how they can help.
Prepare a list of questions relevant to your situation, such as:
- Does my injury qualify for workers’ compensation?
- What do I do if my employer does not have workers’ compensation?
- Can I still receive workers’ compensation benefits if I contributed to the accident?
- Which workers’ compensation benefits can I receive?
- How much will my benefits be?
A lawyer can answer these and other questions during your initial case assessment.
Assess Your Claim
An experienced attorney can review the circumstances surrounding your workplace accident or illness and explain whether you qualify for benefits. To obtain benefits, you must be able to show you suffered a workplace injury or occupational illness while performing duties within the course and scope of your employment. A lawyer can explain if you meet this bar.
Explain Your Legal Rights
An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can explain your legal rights under the circumstances, including your right to receive certain benefits and your right to be free from retaliation.
Give You Legal Advice
When you are pursuing a workers’ compensation claim, you are in an adversarial position against your employer. Your employer wants to limit the amount it pays out on claims to keep its workers’ comp insurance costs low while you want to be treated fairly and receive benefits that help you while recovering.
A workers’ compensation lawyer can give you legal advice you can follow to protect your legal rights, such as advising you to report your work accident within 30 days of it occurring or to seek a second opinion if you disagree with your treating doctor’s disability rating.
Prepare Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
Your attorney can help you with all aspects of your workers’ compensation claim.
Your initial notice to your employer should include information such as:
- Where the accident occurred
- The date and time of the accident
- Any witnesses who observed the accident
- What caused the accident
Your workers’ comp lawyer can help compile evidence of your claims and medical records, clearly linking the accident and your injuries. They can work with your medical professionals to ensure they have a strong understanding of your injuries and how they are likely to impact your future. This preparation can help make the process as smooth as possible.
Your lawyer can also handle communication with insurance companies, preventing you from saying anything that could harm your claim.
Negotiate for Fair Compensation
You may be eligible for various types of workers’ compensation benefits, including:
- Medical benefits – These benefits pay for medical treatment for your workplace injury from an authorized primary doctor or specialist when necessary, including hospitalization, doctor’s visits, physical therapy, medicine, diagnostic tests, and other medical expenses.
- Temporary partial disability benefits – These benefits provide partial wage replacement if you are released to restricted duty.
- Temporary total disability benefits – These benefits cover two-thirds of your lost wages if you are unable to work because of your workplace injury or 80% of your regular wages if you suffer a severe injury.
- Impairment income benefits – If your doctor determines you have reached maximum medical improvement and your condition is not expected to improve significantly, the doctor can have you evaluated for a disability rating. Your benefits depend on your rating.
- Permanent total disability benefits – If you are left permanently unable to work after reaching maximum medical improvement, you can receive permanent total disability benefits.
An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can negotiate and fight for the benefits you are entitled to.
Help with Appeals
Many workers’ compensation claims are initially denied. A workers’ compensation lawyer can assist you with the appeals process and represent you in legal proceedings to fight for the compensation you deserve.
A Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Help With Your Claim
If you would like more information about what workers’ compensation attorneys do or other reasons why you should hire a workers’ comp lawyer, contact an experienced law office today. A personal injury lawyer in St. Petersburg can discuss your case during a free consultation.
Contact the Workers’ Compensation Law Firm of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact the legal team of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation with a Workers’ Compensantion lawyer in Clearwater. We have convenient locations in Florida: St. Petersburg, Safety Harbor, Clearwater, New Port Richey, and Tampa.
We serve throughout Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, and its surrounding areas:
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater Office
1811 N. Belcher Road, Suite I-1
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 787-2500
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Congress Ave Office
2360 Congress Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 591-5610
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Tampa Office
6601 Memorial Hwy Suite 202
Tampa, FL 33615
(813) 686-7588
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – New Port Richey Office
2515 Seven Springs Blvd.
New Port Richey, FL, 34655
(727) 815-8442
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Petersburg Law Office
840 Beach Dr NE Suite 202
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 787-2500
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Safety Harbor Law Office
202 9th Ave S Suite A-2
Safety Harbor, FL 34695
(727) 787-2500