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2 Types of Common Workplace Head Injuries in Virginia
While some common workplace injuries may be relatively mild, accidents causing workplace injuries involving head trauma can be severe, life-changing events. If you or someone you love has sustained a serious injury, consider working with a Virginia work injury lawyer as you begin going through the Workers’ Compensation claim process to make sure each aspect of your claim and your benefits is handled with integrity.
Accidents, by nature, are unforeseen and can occur when you least expect them. From work-related car accidents on the Downtown Expressway, to slips and falls in Richmond hospitals and construction sites, a head injury can devastate an employee and the lives of his or her family quickly.
There are two basic categories of brain-related common workplace injuries on the job:
- Sudden Brain Injuries – the most common type of head injury at work, these types of injuries occur with a sudden, one-time event, as opposed to a long-term condition. Accidents in which a blunt force hits the employee’s head (falling objects, a slip and fall, etc.) and work-related auto accidents fall into this category.
- Disease-Related Injuries – in some cases, a worker may be exposed to certain chemicals that may contribute to a brain disease or disorder; these conditions might be harder to prove for a Workers’ Comp claim.
These types of serious brain injuries warrant immediate, as well as long-term medical treatments, and may mean a lifetime of physical and mental side effects. When you begin the Workers’ Compensation claim process, make sure to adhere to the strict required time guidelines, and consult with a Virginia work injury lawyer if you have any questions or problems obtaining your benefits.
Contact a Virginia Work Injury Lawyer
When you have difficulties with your work-related injury claim, a Virginia work injury attorney can bear some of the burden you’ve been placed under. To get back on your feet, whether it means getting back to work or getting the benefits you deserve, order a copy of our free book, the Ultimate Guide to Workers’ Compensation in Virginia, and contact a workers’ comp attorney at the Injured Workers Law Firm for a no-cost consultation – 1-877-755-7744 or 1-804-755-7755.
Virginia Workers’ Compensation Law: Protecting Your Claim
When you suffer a workplace injury, it’s important that you be honest with your Richmond attorney amid settling your workers’ comp claim. If you misrepresent your activity level, your dishonesty could ruin your credibility and damage your claim.
Be advised that a workers’ comp doctor or physical therapist will sometimes give fake diagnostic tests to injured workers to determine if an injury is being faked. To protect yourself, put your best effort forward. On the other hand, be careful to avoid stating that you can do any kind of activity that you can’t.
Although you may be eager to return to work, you risk making an injury worse if it is not thoroughly healed. We understand that you are paid more when you are working than when you are receiving workers’ comp, but your health and well-being should be priority.
It’s also important that you avoid posting anything on social media sites that could misrepresent your injury. If you post a picture of yourself snow skiing when you’re supposed to have a torn ligament in your knee, that picture could be used against you, even if it’s several months old.
A Virginia Workers’ Compensation law firm can provide you with more advice on protecting your credibility and your workers’ comp claim.
Contact a Richmond Attorney for Help Settling a Workers’ Comp Claim
When you have difficulties with your work-related injury claim, a Virginia Workers’ Compensation law firm can bear some of the burden you’ve been placed under. To get back on your feet, whether it means getting back to work or getting the benefits you deserve, order a copy of our free book, the Ultimate Guide to Workers’ Compensation in Virginia, and contact a workers’ comp attorney at the Injured Workers Law Firm for a no-cost consultation – 877-755-7744 or 804-755-7755.
Beware of Insurance Adjuster When Settling Your Virginia Workers’ Comp Claim
One of the biggest mistakes you can make in settling a workers’ comp claim is trusting that the insurance adjuster will do the right thing. You might not realize, however, that insurance adjusters get bonuses and recognition when they save the company money. This is typically done by downplaying injuries and denying claims. Therefore, you should have a Richmond attorney with extensive knowledge of Virginia Workers’ Compensation law handling your case.
Beware of the insurance adjuster who works with a nurse case manager. This kind of nurse will try to force your doctor to give you clearance to return to work. You should also know that an adjuster will hire private investigators in the hopes of catching you engaging in an activity that your doctor has advised against.
You can also count on an insurance adjuster to delay medical treatments, payments, and diagnostic tests that they may begrudgingly approve, such as an MRI. If they insist on these kinds of delays with all cases, they can save a significant amount of money in interest alone.
Adjusters will also deny claims while knowing that the injured worker is facing financial difficulties. This is done in hopes that the injured party will take the first offer.
Before you accept a settlement, you should have a Virginia Workers’ Compensation law firm review your case. Otherwise you risk being taken advantage of.
Contact a Richmond Attorney for Help Settling a Workers’ Comp Claim
When you have difficulties with your work-related injury claim, a Virginia Workers’ Comp attorney can bear some of the burden you’ve been placed under. To get back on your feet, whether it means getting back to work or getting the benefits you deserve, order a copy of our free book, the Ultimate Guide to Workers’ Compensation in Virginia, and contact a workers’ comp attorney at the Injured Workers Law Firm for a no-cost consultation – 877-755-7744 or 804-755-7755.
Take Action in Your Virginia Workers’ Comp Claim!
Unless you are proactive about seeking your rightful benefits under Virginia Workers’ Comp laws, you may end up settling for much less than you are entitled to – if you can settle at all!
Most injured workers inVirginiadon’t want to deal with the hassle of filing a claim for Workers’ Compensation inVirginia. They figure that they can just report the accident to their employer and let the insurance company handle the details. Unfortunately, the insurance company often takes advantage of this lack of involvement and uses that as an opportunity to shortchange you on benefits.
If you’re not prepared to fight for your rights under Virginia Workers’ Comp laws, an attorney for Workers’ Compensation in Virginia can help. The Workers’ Compensation claims process can be frustrating, and you have the right to legal guidance from a professional who knows how to deal with the insurance companies.
Don’t feel bad if you have to escalate your claim to a Workers’ Compensation lawsuit – your employer and the insurance company should be paying you your rightful benefits without argument. But when the insurance company uses some of the common dirty tricks to reduce or deny claims, the victims are often left without any options.
You can avoid some of this risk by hiring an experienced Virginia Workers’ Compensation claims attorney to help you through the claims process. You need to safeguard yourself from the 4 dirty tricks of insurance companies if you want to seek a substantial settlement for your claim – and an attorney can help.
Contact an Attorney before Starting the Workers’ Compensation Claims Process
When you have difficulties after a work-related injury in Virginia, a Workers’ Comp attorney can bear some of your burden. To get back on your feet, whether it means getting back to work or getting the Workers’ Compensation settlement amounts you deserve, order a copy of our free book, the Ultimate Guide to Workers’ Compensation in Virginia, and contact an attorney for Workers’ Compensation in Virginia at the Injured Workers Law Firm for a no-cost consultation – 1-877-755-7744.
Insurance Company Omissions Could Harm Your Virginia Workers’ Comp Claim
The paperwork and forms that need to be signed and submitted in a Virginia Workers’ Comp claim can be a weak point in your settlement if you’re not careful to review them. An attorney for Workers’ Comp in Virginia can be extremely helpful when it comes time to review any agreements the insurance asks you to sign.
One of the common tricks insurance companies use to reduce the amount of benefits they pay is to omit certain details about your claim. This can be an omission of many important factors such as:
- correct average weekly wages;
- injured body parts or areas;
- medical conditions developed in relation to the accident; and
- accurate reports of how the accident took place.
When these details are omitted or misreported on your agreement forms and you sign them, you may allow the insurance company an out when it comes to paying your full rightful benefits. As soon as your signature hits that paper, they are no longer obligated to pay you anything beyond what the terms of that agreement state.
To avoid catching these mistakes before it’s too late, make sure an attorney for Virginia Workers’ Comp claims reviews your agreement forms. This is just 1 of the 4 most common dirty tricks insurance companies use to short-change or deny workers their rightful benefits after a job-related accident.
Contact an Attorney before Starting the Workers’ Compensation Claims Process
When you have difficulties after a work-related injury in Virginia, a Workers’ Comp attorney can bear some of your burden. To get back on your feet, whether it means getting back to work or getting the Workers’ Compensation settlement amounts you deserve, order a copy of our free book, the Ultimate Guide to Workers’ Compensation in Virginia, and contact an attorney for Workers’ Compensation in Virginia at the Injured Workers Law Firm for a no-cost consultation – 1-877-755-7744.
Va. Third-Party Personal Injury Compensation Claims vs. Workers’ Comp Claims
If you’ve been hurt in a work-related accident, you’re probably wondering what forms of legal recourse you have. If there was another party partly responsible for your injuries, you may be considering whether to file a third-party personal injury compensation claim or a traditional work injury compensation claim.
You’ll need to speak directly to an attorney at a law firm in Richmond, VA to see what’s best for you.
There are a few notable differences between third-party negligence claims and workers’ comp claims:
- Damages – workers’ comp claims don’t account for things like pain and suffering, mental anguish, or the incalculable repercussions of disfiguring or disabling injuries. However, these types of losses can be accounted for in a third-party personal injury compensation claim.
- Cap – in Virginia, workers’ comp benefits are limited, but there is no cap on the amount of restitution you can receive from a personal injury claim. Potential settlements for third-party claims far exceed that of Workers’ Compensation claims.
- Burden of Proof – with workers’ comp cases, injured workers don’t have the legal burden of proof. However, if you decide to file a third-party claim, you’ll need to prove that the party was in fact negligent and responsible for your injuries.
To fully understand you legal options, as well as your rights and responsibilities, you should set up a consultation with a law firm in Richmond, VA that handles work injury compensation claims.
Contact a Law Firm in Richmond, VA
When you have difficulties with your work-related injury claim, a Virginia workplace injury attorney can bear some of the burden you’ve been placed under. To get back on your feet, whether it means getting back to work or getting the benefits you deserve, order a copy of our free book, the Ultimate Guide to Workers’ Compensation in Virginia, and contact a workers’ comp attorney at the Injured Workers Law Firm for a no-cost consultation – 804-755-7755.
Damages You May Be Awarded in VA Third-Party Personal Injury Compensation Claims
When you’ve been injured while on the job, if there is a third party at fault for your accident, you may be able to file for personal injury compensation. To determine the best avenue to take for your work injury compensation claim, you’ll need to discuss the specifics of your case with a law firm in Richmond, VA.
The damages available for third-party personal injury claims are more comprehensive than what you can receive from a workers’ comp claim. Virginia workers’ comp benefits will only cover your losses to a limited degree, such as your medical bills and lost work time.
But when your injuries are dramatic, and when they cause a great amount of pain and suffering, your workers’ comp settlement may not fully account for your loss.
In a claim for a work-related personal injury, compensation may be available for:
- loss of society;
- mental anguish;
- loss of companionship;
- physical and emotional pain;
- extensive future treatments (e.g. Sheltering Arms’ services);
- disfigurement; and
- permanent disability.
There’s a lot of legal fine print when it comes to navigating through complex personal injury and Workers’ Compensation laws in Virginia. Consult a law firm in Richmond, VA about what types of damages may be available to you on a third-party work injury compensation claim.
Contact a Law Firm in Richmond, VA
When you have difficulties with your work-related injury claim, a Virginia workplace injury attorney can bear some of the burden you’ve been placed under. To get back on your feet, whether it means getting back to work or getting the benefits you deserve, order a copy of our free book, the Ultimate Guide to Workers’ Compensation in Virginia, and contact a workers’ comp attorney at the Injured Workers Law Firm for a no-cost consultation – 804-755-7755.
Impact of a Third-Party Claim When Receiving Workers’ Compensation in Virginia
It may be in your best interest to consult a Virginia Workers’ Comp lawyer when you are filing a Workers’ Comp claim. You may have rights that you aren’t aware of, including the ability to seek litigation against another party.
When you experience a work injury inVirginia, you can usually expect to qualify for Workers’ Comp benefits. However, this may not cover the expenses and losses you have suffered adequately.
Your options may be limited because you cannot sue your employer or another worker if you receive Workers’ Comp benefits. But you may be entitled to pursue a third-party claim.
There are a number of circumstances in which a third-party claim may be pursued. It could stem from a car accident in which you are driving while on the job and another driver injures you. If you were delivering materials to another location and were injured in a slip and fall, the owner of the premises then may be held liable. Another example would be if you were working with machinery and you were injured because it was defective, a third-party claim may be filed against the manufacturer.
When you are receiving Workers’ Compensation in Virginia, your claim may be impacted by other benefits. To learn how this can affect your case and the amount you are able to receive, seek assistance from a Virginia Workers’ Comp lawyer to discuss your case.
Contact an Attorney about Your Workers’ Compensation Claim in Virginia
When you have difficulties with your Workers’ Compensation claim, a Virginia Workers’ Comp lawyer can bear some of the burden you’ve been placed under. To get back on your feet, whether it means getting back to work or getting the benefits you deserve, order a copy of our free book, the Ultimate Guide to Workers’ Compensation in Virginia, and contact a workers’ comp attorney at the Injured Workers Law Firm for a no-cost consultation – 877-755-7744 or 804-755-7755.
Social Security Disability Reductions When Obtaining Workers’ Compensation in Virginia
When you have sustained a work injury in Virginia, you may be eligible for Workers’ Compensation benefits. Despite eligibility, filing a Workers’ Comp claim can sometimes be a challenging process. You may need help from an experienced and knowledgeable Virginia Workers’ Comp lawyer.
However, if you also receive Social Security disability benefits, they may be reduced. This depends on the total amount of those benefits plus your Workers’ Comp benefits.
Reductions are figured by adding up the total amount of benefits for both Social Security and Workers’ Comp. If they are greater than 80% of your average current earnings before you were disabled, then your Social Security disability benefits will be reduced by the excess amount.
Average current earnings are calculated by different formulas. The formula used will depend on each case. The reduction from Social Security disability benefits will continue until the month that your benefits stop or you turn 65 years old, whichever one of these events occurs first.
For a better understanding of how other benefits may impact your claim for Workers’ Compensation in Virginia, you should seek legal counsel from a Virginia Workers’ Comp lawyer to discuss your case.
Contact an Attorney about Your Workers’ Compensation Claim in Virginia
When you have difficulties with your Workers’ Compensation claim, a Virginia Workers’ Comp lawyer can bear some of the burden you’ve been placed under. To get back on your feet, whether it means getting back to work or getting the benefits you deserve, order a copy of our free book, the Ultimate Guide to Workers’ Compensation in Virginia, and contact a workers’ comp attorney at the Injured Workers Law Firm for a no-cost consultation – 1-877-755-7744 or 1-804-755-7755.
Obtaining a Disability Rating for Loss of Use of Body Part Claims in Virginia
After suffering an injury that results in the complete or partial permanent loss of use of a body part, injured workers in Virginia have the right to what’s known as permanent partial disability benefits. These benefits are calculated based upon the workers’ previous weekly income, the injured body part, and the disability rating they receive from their doctor.
Obtaining a disability rating is necessary if you’re seeking to collect your rightful Virginia Workers’ Compensation benefits when you’ve lost the use of a body part due to a work-related injury. Before you seek this rating, your treating physician must have determined that you’ve reached maximum medical improvement, which means your loss of use of that body part isn’t expected to improve with further treatment or time.
If you’ve reached the stage where your doctor considers your condition to be permanent, he or she most will likely refer you to a physical therapist to undergo a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE). The results of the therapist’s evaluation of your ability to use that body part will be reported to your physician. The doctor then will issue a disability rating, expressed as a percentage, for that body part.
If the insurance company approves, the disability rating will be used with your other information to calculate the amount of compensation you’re entitled to. In some cases, injured workers may find difficulty obtaining Virginia Workers’ Compensation benefits for their claim of loss of use of a body part. In these circumstances, an injured worker’’ lawyer may be able to help.
An Injured Workers’ Lawyer in Virginia helps Workers’ Compensation Cases
Injured workers who suffer loss of use of a body part can find help filing a Virginia Workers’ Compensation claim from an injured workers’ lawyer. To learn more about how Workers’ Compensation works, or to learn about your rights to compensation, order a copy of our free book, the Ultimate Guide to Workers’ Compensation in Virginia, and contact an injured workers’ lawyer at the Injured Workers Law Firm for a no-cost consultation – 1-877-755-7744.