An accident can leave you with medical bills, lost income, and psychological stress. To make matters worse, most people have never been in a similar situation before. An attorney can help you avoid complications during the process in the following ways.
Reporting the Worksite Accident on Time
One mistake you can make is to fail to report your worksite accident within the stipulated time. The deadline may vary depending on the jurisdiction. In most states, you have 30 days, while in others, you are to notify your employer within 45 days.
An experienced worksite accident attorney is conversant with various aspects of seeking compensation. A lawyer can assist you during the difficult times when you are recuperating from your injuries.
Getting Medical Attention
You can complicate your claim if you don’t get medical attention on time. Sometimes employees procrastinate for fear of losing their jobs or income. It is also advisable to give your physician a transparent account of the accident. That includes any previous injury you have sustained in the past. Hiding such information can complicate your claim, and you could lose compensation.
A worksite accident attorney will inform you of the value of seeking medication and sticking to the treatment plan. If you are afraid of losing your income, a lawyer will explore several options for seeking compensation.
Putting Together the Relevant Documentation
When seeking workers’ compensation, medical evidence is crucial. Therefore, it is wise to collect the relevant documentation without unnecessary delays. Your insurance company will rely on the files to determine if you are eligible for compensation.
A lawyer can help you gather the necessary files as you recover from your injuries. You could overlook some documentation due to a lack of experience in the compensation process. But an attorney can quickly identify flaws in your claim.
For example, you may assume that your supervisor has sent the files to insurance companies and agencies. In such cases, you could end up paying for mistakes from your employer. That’s why it is advisable to ask for copies from your employer.
Avoid Stressful and Time-consuming Tasks
Unless you have experience in workers’ compensation, there is a high risk of stress. You will have to research the laws in your area while working to gather documentation. Working with a lawyer allows you to focus on getting better. You can tap into their professional experience to make the process less stressful.
The law requires employers to provide compensation after a worksite accident. Working with an attorney is advisable to avoid pitfalls that jeopardize your claim.
Author information: Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her husky, Snowball.
