Workers’ compensation helps Virginia workers who suffer an on-the-job injury to pay for their medical bills. It also helps them with wage replacement and other costs related to their injuries. In the tragic event that a worker dies while performing his or her job duties, the worker’s dependents may also be able to pursue benefits to help them through the difficult time following their loved one’s death.
At the Dickerson & Smith Law Group, we offer legal advice and services to individuals who have suffered injuries on the job in the Virginia Beach area. In addition to workers’ compensation claims, we help employees with a variety of employment law issues.
When it comes to a workers’ compensation claim, it is vital that injured employees understand a little bit about the law so that they can succeed in gaining the benefits they deserve. For example, if a worker is injured while performing his or her job duties, the worker must report the injury to the employer at some point within 30 days of the injury occurring. The employer will then complete an accident report, which is relayed to the company’s insurance provider and the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission. Next, the insurance adjuster will look over the accident report and any related medical documentation.
When everything goes smoothly, the adjuster will provide the injured worker with various workers’ compensation benefits according to the injuries and medical care required, but it does not always go smoothly, unfortunately. Something might come up that causes a worker’s benefits claim to be denied. This is when a workers’ compensation attorney like those at the Dickerson & Smith Law Group may be able to help.
Just because a Virginia Beach workers’ compensation claim is initially denied does not mean that the deficiencies cannot be cured and benefits later received. Indeed, an employment law attorney may be able to help you get the benefits you were initially denied.
Source: daviddickerson.com, “Workers’ Compensation” accessed Jan. 23, 2015