Unfortunately, work-related injuries and accidents are quite common. If you have sustained injuries at work, you may be entitled to benefits under the workers’ compensation system in Virginia. Every employer in the state must have workers’ compensation insurance, and in return, they cannot be sued by an employee for a work-related injury. Here comes the big question – Do you really need to hire a Virginia workers’ compensation lawyer for your claim? In this post, we are sharing the circumstances that you have to.
When you can handle your claim
There are certain circumstances when you don’t really need a workers’ compensation lawyer. For instance, if you have sustained a minor injury, you may want to avoid a claim in the first place. If your employer has admitted the mistake and your claim is likely to be accepted, you can manage things on your own. Also, in case a worker suffers injuries that didn’t eventually lead to losing out on work, their compensation amount may not be huge and can be easily accepted by the insurance company. Most attorneys in Virginia offer free consultation, so if you don’t have a reason to hire a lawyer, you may still want to get some advice.
The evident reasons to hire a lawyer
While the workers’ compensation system seems easy on paper, a lot is dependent on how you present your claim and the overall approach of the insurance company. Insurance companies are here to make money, and they often deny claims for weird reasons. You should definitely contact an attorney in Virginia, if –
- You have no idea of how workers’ compensation system works
- Your claim has been denied
- You need help with filing the claim
- The insurance company has made a small offer
- You plan to apply for Social Security disability benefits
- Your employer has retaliated against you
- You have sustained injuries that prevent you from coming back to work
- There was a third-party involved
- You don’t want to deal with the insurance company
An experienced lawyer knows what it takes to negotiate with insurance companies, and if needed, they may even decide to take your court to trial. If the verdict is not in your favor, your attorney may even consider an appeal. In other words, you wouldn’t have any legal support to lean on, if you decide to manage everything from scratch.
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