Worker’s Compensation – What Happens After a Work-Related Injury?
When you suffer an employment-related injury you have specific rights and protections under the law. Regardless of whether the injury is minor or catastrophic, the first step is to seek immediate medical attention, and to tell your employer and the treating physician that your injury is job-related. That will initiate the documentation necessary to establish your claim. The second step, and the best way to safeguard your rights, is to engage an experienced Worker’s Compensation attorney immediately.

Employers are required to provide insurance for their workers, and it is expensive. Fears that premiums will escalate if a claim is filed may prompt your employer to request that you refrain, in exchange for coverage of your medical bills. Not only is this illegal, but it’s also not in your best interest. The immediate medical crisis may be resolved, but underlying conditions resulting from the injury go undocumented. Weeks, months, or years later it may be nearly impossible to establish the source of the work-related injury, and by then you may not have the financial reserves to deal with the problem.
Insurance companies want you to believe that seeking compensation for a work-related injury is selfish; a greedy cash-grab that robs employers of time and profit. But the truth is that Worker’s Compensation laws were developed to prevent businesses from exploiting employees harmed in connection with their jobs. If everyone played fair, there would be no need for these rules.
Understanding your rights under the law and safeguarding those rights by following the proper steps is critical. Each side has a different goal, and without expert guidance it’s easy to make a wrong choice.
Even seemingly minor injuries can cause complications down the road, and that is why different types of benefits are available to injured workers.
- Temporary Disability benefits are awarded when the injury is not enduring, and you may receive either Temporary Total Disability, if you are unable to work for a period of time, or Temporary Partial Disability, if you are able to perform some work while you recover.
- Permanent Disability benefits are awarded when your doctor determines that you will never fully recover from your work-related injury. Permanent disability does not mean that you are unable to work, but it might mean that your employer must make some accommodations or that you will need to train for a new type of work.
- Medical Care is another facet of Worker’s Compensation laws that is directly beneficial to the employee. If an injury is connected to a work situation, the employer is required to pay for treatment. Receiving the appropriate treatment for your situation can sometimes be complicated, so having an experienced Worker’s Compensation attorney advocate for you is a definite advantage.
Our firm handles Worker’s Compensation cases. We have an in-depth understanding of the laws, and will make sure that your case is appropriately documented and filed in a timely manner. Our experienced staff will be there to guide you through this process, providing you with sound advice, quality referrals, and the moral support you need to get through this stressful time. We will be at your side from start to finish, making sure that you get all the compensation and medical care to which you are entitled. Even if you aren’t sure you have a case, please schedule a free consultation. If you are qualified for benefits, we will ensure that you receive them. Protect your future by taking the appropriate steps today.