It’s not uncommon to need help from an attorney if you are injured on the job. There are many rules and regulations to sort through. An attorney can simplify the rules and talk to clients about their specific claim. Do not try to deal with the insurance company alone.
Workers’ Compensation Covers Most Employees
In most states, companies with three or more full-time employees are required to carry workers’ compensation coverage. However, there are instances when employees are not covered. For example, intentional injuries are not covered. Further, anyone injured while committing an illegal act will not be covered. Indeed, most companies ask injured workers to take a drug test. Injuries that occur while the worker is intoxicated are also excluded.
What Injuries Are Covered?
Most job-related injuries are covered. If the insurer denies a claim, the worker has the right to file for a hearing. That’s when it helps to have workers’ comp attorneys in Olympia, WA on your side. The hearing is held before an administrative law judge and the attorney advocates for the injured worker.
Many workers fail to realize that repetitive motion injuries and long-term illnesses are covered. The insurer will try to fight the claim, but the attorney will prove causation. Injuries received from asbestos exposure and stress fall into this category.
Benefits
Injured workers are entitled to medical and wage benefits. Medical benefits include treatment, procedures, imaging studies, and prescriptions. Further, the insurer pays a weekly check based on two-thirds of the workers’ average weekly wage. Also, the insurer owes workers for any permanent injuries they receive.
A workers’ comp injury may also involve a third-party claim. For example, a delivery driver may be in a vehicle accident, and someone else is at fault. The driver has a claim under workers’ comp and against the liable party. The attorney works both cases and tries to get a settlement from the at-fault driver.
Finally, attorneys try to settle workers’ comp claims. Many clients need a lump-sum of money to start anew. Frequently, workers cannot perform the same jobs due to physical limitations. The settlement amount is based on future medical needs and the presence of permanent injuries. Get more information by consulting with workers’ comp attorneys in Olympia, WA.
