Greenwood Workers Comp Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in an accident while at work, you should be protected under your employer’s workers compensation insurance policy. Contact a workers comp attorney in Greenwood for help filing your claim.
When you are injured while at work, your employer is required to protect you from any financial hardship you may face as a result of your injuries. Workers compensation insurance covers your medical expenses and lost wages when you get injured but it also protects your employer from being sued for negligence. You’re required to file a workers comp claim if you hope to receive any money.
Unfortunately, workers compensation insurance companies aren’t always easy to deal with when it comes to accepting claims and providing the settlement you need to sufficiently cover your bills. A Greenwood workers comp lawyer from Kooi Law can guide you through the claims process and negotiate on your behalf in the event that your claim gets denied.
Pros and Cons of Workers Compensation
Workers comp is a great benefit both for employees and employers because it’s always there for protection in the event that someone gets injured. It also takes negligence out of the equation, so if you contributed to your own injuries, your employer can’t deny you benefits. Similarly, you can’t sue your employer if they contributed to your injuries in some way.
Usually, workers comp is a great solution for covering medical expenses and lost wages when an employee needs to miss work. However, workers comp does have some downsides.
Filing a claim isn’t always the easiest process and claims aren’t always approved. Because insurance companies want to make a profit, they may not have the employee’s best interest in mind when making settlement decisions.
The Workers Comp Claims Process in Indiana
The first step when you get injured at work is to file a claim with your employer. You’ll need to file a claim within thirty days of when your injury occurred. Unless your injury happens in an emergency circumstance, you’ll need to ask your employer to see a physician because your employer or their insurance provider has the right to choose the doctor you see.
If your workers comp claim is approved, your employer should pay for any medical treatment you receive from the doctor until the doctor determines that your condition has been successfully cured. If you’re out of work for more than seven days due to your injury, you also have the right to receive wage replacement benefits.
When Lawsuits Can Be Filed for Work-Related Injuries
There are a few exceptions when you won’t need to file a workers comp claim for a work-related injury.
You can move straight to a personal injury lawsuit if a third-party’s negligence caused your injury at work, such as a defective product. You can also file a personal injury lawsuit against your employer if you suffered from a work-related injury because of blatant negligence such as physical abuse.
Contact a Greenwood Workers Comp Attorney
The workers comp claims process can be complex. When you’re injured and away from work for an extended period of time, it can be crucial to receive the benefits you deserve as quickly as possible. At Kooi Law, an experienced attorney from our team can support you and help you get the money you need for recovery.
If you want to discuss your case with a Greenwood workers comp lawyer, fill out the contact form below or call 317-569-1335 to schedule a free consultation.