If you’ve been injured on the job, it’s essential to seek legal assistance as soon as possible. While your employer’s insurance company may seem like they are looking out for your best interests, they are more interested in protecting the company’s bottom line. That’s where a good personal injury lawyer comes in.
Here are several important reasons you should seek legal help if you experience a job-related injury.
To receive the proper medical treatment
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One of the most important reasons to seek legal assistance after a job-related injury is to ensure you receive the proper medical treatment. Your employer’s insurance company may try to downplay your injuries or push for you to see a doctor that works for them. This could result in a misdiagnosis or inadequate treatment, which could have a major impact on your health and well-being.
A personal injury lawyer will fight to make sure you get the treatment you need from the proper medical professionals. If you’ve suffered a serious injury at work, a back injury, or a traumatic brain injury, you may need long-term care. Other types of injuries are not always immediately apparent, such as repetitive stress injuries. A good lawyer will make sure you’re properly diagnosed and get the treatment you need to recover.
To receive compensation for your medical expenses
Another reason it’s important to seek legal assistance after a job-related injury is to ensure you are compensated for your medical expenses. Again, your employer’s insurance company may try to lowball you on your reimbursement or deny your claim altogether. A good personal injury lawyer will fight for you to get the full amount of compensation you deserve. This includes not only your current medical bills but also any future expenses related to your injuries.
For instance, if you’ve suffered a back injury at work, you may need surgery or other medical treatment down the road. Or, if you’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury, you may need long-term care and assistance. A personal injury lawyer will make sure you are compensated for these future expenses so that you don’t have to worry about how you will pay for them.
To receive compensation for your lost wages
If you’ve been injured on the job, you may have to miss work while you recover. This can lead to a loss of income and cause financial hardship for you and your family. Additionally, if your injuries are severe, you may never be able to return to work. A good personal injury lawyer will fight for you to receive compensation for your lost wages. This includes not only your missed paychecks but also any future lost earnings if your injuries prevent you from returning to work.
This works by negotiating with the insurance company for a lump sum settlement or by filing a lawsuit against your employer. If you win your case, you will receive damages that compensate you for your lost wages.
On the other hand, if you settle with the insurance company, you will receive a lump sum payment that is intended to cover your lost wages. Either way, it’s important to have a good personal injury lawyer on your side to ensure you are fairly compensated for your lost wages.
To receive compensation for your pain and suffering
In addition to medical expenses and lost wages, you may also be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering. This is a type of non-economic damage that can be difficult to quantify. However, a legal representative will know how to properly value your pain and suffering and fight for you to receive the compensation you deserve.
There are a few different ways to calculate pain and suffering damages. One way is to multiply your total economic damages, such as medical expenses and lost wages, by a certain number, typically between one and five. This gives you an idea of the value of your non-economic damages.
Another way to calculate pain and suffering damages is to use the per diem method. This involves multiplying the number of days you’ve suffered from your injuries by a certain amount, typically between $100 and $500. This gives you a daily rate for your pain and suffering.
To increase the value of your claim
If you try to handle your job-related injury claim on your own, the insurance company will likely lowball you on the settlement offer. Insurance companies are in the business of making money, not paying out claims. Therefore, they will try to settle your claim for as little as possible.
Additionally, insurance companies are experienced in handling personal injury claims. They have adjusters and lawyers who know how to devalue your claim. On the other hand, you likely don’t have experience dealing with insurance companies or personal injury claims. This puts you at a disadvantage when negotiating a settlement.
To protect your rights
When you’re injured on the job, you have certain rights under the law. For instance, you have the right to receive workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that provides benefits to employees who are injured on the job. These benefits can include medical expenses, lost wages, and more.
On the other hand, if you’re not eligible for workers’ compensation, you may still be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against your employer. This is where having a good personal injury lawyer on your side is important. They can help you determine what rights you have and how to best protect them.
However, insurance companies and employers will often try to deny or minimize these rights.
For instance, an insurance company may try to say your injuries are not work-related. Or an employer may try to say you were at fault for your injuries. A personal injury lawyer will know how to rebut these claims and protect your rights by collecting evidence and building a strong case.
If you’ve been injured on the job, it’s important to seek legal assistance as soon as possible. A good personal injury lawyer can help you receive compensation for your lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. They can also protect your rights under the law and ensure you are fairly compensated for your injuries.
These are all very important reasons and sometimes may affect your eligibility for certain types of benefits, so it’s always best to consult with a lawyer as soon as possible after sustaining job-related injuries.
