Last Updated on March 2, 2023 by Awais Aftab
If you were injured in Richmond in a freak on-the-job accident, you should consider talking to an attorney to understand the workers’ compensation system. The workers’ compensation system is a no-fault one, and all employers are required to pay for the insurance, regardless of whether they have three or a thousand employees. Following an injury, you should seek immediate medical attention and notify the employer about the accident within 30 days. During this time, you may benefit from talking to a Richmond workers’ compensation lawyer. In this post, we are discussing more on how an attorney can help.
Explaining the process
Once you inform your employer, the next step is to file a workers’ compensation claim. Keep in mind that the insurance company is eventually paying the benefits, and therefore, the company would do its best to ensure that claims are denied or delayed. The insurance adjuster will try to prove that the accident didn’t happen at work or your injuries are a result of previous accidents. Your lawyer is your most reliable resource for understanding the workers’ compensation benefits that you are entitled to.
Negotiate a better settlement
Because insurance companies adhere to numerous tactics, you may not understand everything that the claims adjuster tells you. Lawyers can navigate the process better and ensure that you get justifiable benefits. Also, lawyers can tell when the insurance company is bluffing and are skilled at negotiations. When it comes to protecting your financial interests, trusting an attorney is way better than trusting the insurance company.
When hiring a necessary is not a choice
Certain circumstances are unusual, and it becomes critically important to hire a reliable workers’ compensation lawyer. You should lawyer up if –
- Your claim has been denied
- You are not getting workers’ compensation benefits that you are entitled to
- You also have a third-party claim
- You have suffered discrimination for reporting the accident
- You have been fired unlawfully after getting injured on the job
Hiring a workers’ compensation attorney is not complicated or expensive in Richmond. All lawyers usually charge a contingency fee, which is typically lower than what PI attorneys in Richmond usually charge. The lawyer gets only a share of the settlement after you get the benefits. That said, it is equally essential to hire a lawyer who specializes in workers’ compensation cases. Also, you need to ask if the attorney has a conflict of interest and if they are available for your claim.
Read More: Why do you need a Workers Compensation Attorney?
What Virginia law addresses workers’ compensation?
Virginia law provides a comprehensive framework for workers’ compensation to protect workers who sustain work-related injuries or illnesses. The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act establishes the legal framework for providing benefits to employees who suffer injuries or illnesses. This law requires most Virginia employers to provide employees with workers’ compensation insurance coverage.
Under Virginia law, workers’ compensation benefits may include medical expenses, disability payments, and vocational rehabilitation services to help injured workers return to pre-injury employment. The law also provides death benefits to the dependents of workers who die due to a work-related injury or illness.
Virginia law also establishes a system for resolving worker compensation claims disputes. This system involves the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission, which administers and enforces the state’s workers’ compensation laws.
