If you have worker’s compensation insurance, you are entitled to receive coverage of medical treatment expenses, lost wages, and other extra benefits.
6 Reasons To Hire A Worker’s Compensation Lawyer
However, a lack of experience and knowledge can result in unsuccessful claims, especially if you don’t have a lawyer to help you out.
Given below are the reasons to hire a worker’s compensation lawyer.
1. Help You Understand The Requirements
There are various requirements you have to meet before you can file a claim for your worker’s compensation. If you have worker’s compensation insurance and have met with a work-related injury, you are eligible for applying.
All states have deadlines and you should report your injury and file your claim before the deadline otherwise your claim won’t be successful. You might also have to visit a specific doctor specially prescribed by the company to determine whether your injury is work-related.
A lawyer will help you fully understand your state’s requirements and determine how many benefits you are eligible for. If you are an injured worker in Wilkes-Barre, do not hesitate to contact a Wilkes-Barre worker’s compensation lawyer.
2. Experience In Legal Procedures
There are many steps in filing a claim for your worker’s compensation and each step has specific deadlines.
Initially, you will have to fill the DWC – 1 form in order to be considered by your insurance company. You will also have to file an application for Adjudication of Claim.
The adjudication process is quite complicated and it is highly recommended to hire a lawyer who will make sure the application is submitted before the deadline and all the legal requirements are met.
A worker’s compensation lawyer is familiar with the legal procedures involved in the successful filing of a claim.
3. Reverse A Claim Denial
Insurance companies can reject claims for a number of reasons.
If your injury was not witnessed by anyone or you filed a claim after leaving your job, it could lead to the denial of your claim. The insurance company will try to undermine the severity of your injury and state other reasons which could have caused it.
Worker’s compensation lawyers are familiar with all the tactics of insurance companies. Even if your claim gets denied you can still appeal through your state’s board of worker’s compensation.
Your lawyer will help you in the appeal process and can get the authorities to reverse the claim denial.
4. Make Sure You Receive All The Benefits
Many injured workers are not thoroughly informed about all the benefits covered by their worker’s compensation insurance.
Insurance companies can use this to their advantage by holding back some benefits which you might not be aware of. Apart from medical coverage, you might also be entitled to receive disability benefits even if you are only temporarily disabled by your injury.
For example, if you are unable to work for a month or two, you are entitled to receive a portion of your wages for that time period.
A worker’s compensation lawyer will thoroughly inform you of all the benefits you are able to receive. He will also be familiar with the laws of the state regarding disability payments.
5. Help You In The Negotiation Process
Negotiating with the insurance company can be a long and cumbersome procedure. They will try to get you to accept a low settlement offer by implying that it is their final one.
Many uninformed workers become victims of accepting extremely low amounts and end up with tons of medical debt and lost wages.
A lawyer is crucial in the negotiation process especially if you don’t know the compensation amount you are entitled to.
6. Representation In Court
If your claim gets denied or the insurance company refuses to offer you proper compensation, you might have to file a court case.
There are many complicated legal aspects in a court case and you have very low chances of succeeding if you don’t get a lawyer to help you out.
A lawyer will help you sort out the necessary documents and will also represent you which is far better than representing yourself.
Conclusion
Many people tend to think that they will save money by not hiring a lawyer. However, you could end up losing even more money in the claim process if you make costly mistakes.
It is always best to seek professional help if you are unsure about your situation.
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