Cape Charles Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
If you are injured at work, your regular health insurance does not cover it. That is where workers’ compensation insurance, provided by your employers, steps in. Other than an initial visit to the emergency room, if warranted, employees must receive treatment by a doctor or hospital approved by the employer and its insurer. Workers’ comp also pays up to a specific weekly amount of lost wages. Unfortunately, many injured workers find their claims denied by the insurer or must deal with other complicated issues regarding their coverage.
Navigating this process on your own is confusing, and it is not difficult to inadvertently harm your claim. That is why obtaining legal counsel is wise. The Cape Charles personal injury law firm of Rutter Mills fights for you and helps you receive the maximum compensation for which you are eligible.
Understanding Workers’ Compensation
If a person is hurt because of a private or public property owner’s negligence, they might file a personal injury lawsuit against that party. That is not the case with an on-the-job injury. Workers’ compensation guarantees some benefits to injured workers, including medical care, and in turn, the employee cannot sue the employer. There are certain exceptions to the inability to sue.
In Virginia, benefits include wage replacement for those who cannot return to work. However, an injured worker will not receive these benefits for the first seven working days after becoming disabled until the disability lasts at least three weeks. They are capped at 2/3 of standard wages and available for up to 500 weeks, or roughly 9.5 years.
Injured workers may receive lifetime medical benefits, but there is a caveat. The worker must choose a doctor from a list provided by the employer or the employer’s insurance company. It is not possible to change physicians without employer or insurer approval.
Lifetime Benefits for Permanent and Total Disability
Employers and insurers may try to deny the claim or minimize the severity of the injuries. Workers’ compensation lawyers protect the rights of those injured on the job, so they receive the benefits they deserve.
Contact Cape Charles Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
If you or someone you know was badly hurt, and experiencing issues with a workers’ comp claim, obtaining legal advice is critical. The workers’ compensation attorneys at Rutter Mills will review your case and answer any questions. Schedule a free consultation by calling us today or contacting us online. Our dedicated attorneys have won thousands of workers’ comp claims for clients over the past 50 years.
“Nothing makes you feel more vulnerable than being hurt or ill. And nobody likes to ask for help. But when you need it most, we’re at our best. We give our clients the confidence and support they need to know they’ll be taken care of – that they’ll get the best outcome possible, even in the face of a very bad situation.”
– Brother Rutter