Hampton Roads workers’ compensation claim: Quick guide for injured workers

Businesses in Virginia with three or more employees are required to have workers’ compensation insurance. In return, employers have immunity against direct lawsuits. If you were injured at work in Hampton Roads, you can claim workers’ compensation benefits but cannot sue your employer for negligence. The workers’ compensation system is not based on fault. If you don’t know how to file a claim or what benefits you can recover, get in touch with an attorney and seek legal expertise. In this post, learn more about dealing with your case.

1. Report the injury: First and foremost, seek medical care for your injuries. Listen to your doctor, and if they advise against returning to work, listen to them. Next, you need to inform your employer about the accident, and the sooner you should do that, the better it will be for your claim. You must report the injury within 30 days to maintain your right to recover benefits.
2. Know the benefits in detail: Your workers’ compensation lawyer will explain the benefits you can get and will do a free assessment for your claim. In general, benefits include all medical expenses related to the work injury, including rehabilitative care. You can also recover a part of the wages lost. If you have sustained severe injuries, you may be entitled to more financial benefits.
3. You can file an appeal: More often than not, workers’ compensation claims are denied and delayed. If you are not happy with the insurer’s offer or believe that you deserve more, do not give up without a fight. If your claim is denied, you have the option to file an appeal.
4. It will help if you have legal expertise: Hiring an attorney is often the best way to deal with your claim. Your lawyer is responsible for reviewing the details and will answer your questions. They will also gather the required evidence and take care of the paperwork. If there are issues with the claims process, they will take care of those and represent you at the hearing if your claim is denied.

If you are wondering about the cost of hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer, you should know that most law firms in Hampton Roads work on a contingency arrangement. Your lawyer gets a share of the benefits when you recover them. In other words, it doesn’t cost anything to get legal assistance, and at the least, you should get a case assessment.