Dealing with a workers' compensation claim can be stressful but two things are very important and will make it easier to manage. These things are 1) documentation and 2) organization.
It is important for a person who has a workers' compensation claim to document everything, beginning with important facts about your injury. Everything that occurs in your claim - medical appointments, telephone calls, payments, etc - should be documented in a log. It does not have to be fancy - a school notebook works best for most people. Keep all the documents that you receive on your claim (whether it is paper correspondence or emails). It is also important to get work notes or disability slips from all medical providers. I suggest to our clients that they keep all medical appointments on a calendar as this makes mileage reimbursement submissions a snap!
Now that you have all of this documentation, what do you do with it? Organize it! Whether you are handling the claim yourself or have an attorney assisting you, organizing your documents will make handling the claim easier. Keeping medical records and work notes separate from claim correspondence and prescriptions receipts is so important. You can find divided file pockets just about everywhere - I bought some recently at the dollar store! Having your documents organized and easy to reference, really makes a difference. 

This is a phrase heard a couple of times a week on TV but do you think it would every apply to you? If you have had a work-related injury, one of the first items of business for your insurance carrier adjuster is to take a recorded statement from you regarding your injury. We often caution our clients about giving a recorded statement to the adjuster and are present when the statement is being recorded. If you do not have any attorney, you should be careful here because the adjuster will not only ask you about your injury but about prior injuries and prior workers' compensation claims. Take the recorded statement serious as it will follow you throughout your claim. Be sure to listen to the adjuster's questions, keep your answers simple and do not offer any additional information that what is asked of you. If you have any concerns about giving a recorded statement, consult an attorney.

If not, you should visit the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission and read what rights you have. This can help you understand who and what you are up against when you file your claim.

If you don’t know what your rights are, you may accept anything the insurance carrier or their attorney tells you without knowing what is going on and the fact that you are being taken advantage of. Remember, knowledge is power! If you have read some of the details of the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act, you can avoid signing documents that you shouldn’t or accepting whatever the comp insurance carrier may offer to you.

If you or someone you know is having trouble receiving workers’ compensation, please call Rutter Mills for a free review of your case.

As Labor Day approaches, most of us think of Labor Day as a sign that summer is ending and school is starting. The origins of Labor Day date back to the late 1800s when all types of workers began to organize and demand better pay, better hours and better protection at work. The first Labor Day parade occurred in New York City in 1882 when 20,000 workers walked through the streets of the city making their demands known. The parade was followed by a picnic and fireworks. Labor Day celebrations quickly spread throughout the country and continue today. So on this Labor Day, take a minute to pause and reflect on those earlier workers who took to the streets to fight for the rights that we have today. Here at Rutter Mills, we always help people fight for their rights when they are injured at work.

Recent studies have shown a decline in workers’ compensation claims in Virginia and other states in the past two years.  Our optimistic side would like to think that workplaces are becoming safer, however, it is more likely that the reporting of work-related injuries have decreased.  In today’s economy, most people are concerned about losing their jobs and some fear that reporting a work-related injury will put their job in jeopardy.  We can understand that fear but also know that it is very important to report all work-related injuries.  By delaying the reporting of a work related injury (or not reporting it at all), an injured worker jeopardizes any benefits that they may be entitled to.  If you have questions or concerns about reporting a work-related injury, most workers’ compensation attorneys (including Rutter Mills) offer free initial consultations at which all your questions can be answered.