According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics, only 4-5% of workplace injuries go to trial. Why? Because most employers don’t want to pay for all the costs associated with a work injury, including lost wages and medical expenses, if a company’s negligence or misconduct is responsible for an employee’s injury. Unfortunately, most employers get away with it because most employees are unaware of their rights. One of the most common reasons for this is the lack of information. If you are a victim, you should consult a reliable work accident lawyer in San Antonio who knows what you are entitled to to make informed decisions about your case.
The best time to consult is before your employer tries to settle the issue on its terms or before you sign any release in exchange for a cash settlement. Read on to learn when hiring a work injury lawyer is essential.
Preexisting conditions
Preexisting conditions are those that were present before the accident occurred. It can be a cold or flu that you developed while working. It could also be a more severe condition, such as diabetes or heart disease.
If you have a preexisting condition and get injured on the job, it can be challenging to prove that your preexisting condition did not cause your injury. For example, you might have gone to work one day feeling fine, then were injured accidentally. In this situation, it’s doubtful that anyone will believe that your chronic illness did not cause your injury. To win compensation for your injuries in these cases, you must find evidence delinking the two issues, and a work injury lawyer will help you prove your case.
When You Can’t Work
Hiring a work injury lawyer is the right choice when you cannot work for a long time or stop working altogether. These lawyers can help you recover compensation for your lost wages and medical expenses.
If you get injured at work, it’s essential to understand your rights as an employee and what benefits you may be eligible for. For instance, if it’s a workplace injury and you cannot return to work within 30 days, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation. However, you will need to file a claim with your employer within one year of the accident to receive the benefits.
Struggling to Receive Treatment
If your employer is not providing adequate medical care, or if the insurance company is not paying your medical bills, you may want to consult with an attorney. If you’ve been injured on the job and need surgery or physical therapy, you must get treatment as soon as possible. You also need to contact an attorney if your employer is making unreasonable demands about what type of treatment is necessary and how quickly it must get completed.
When Handling Denied Claims
If you are handling a claim that has been denied, it is essential to understand why your claim was denied. If the employer claims that you are not injured on the job, an attorney can help you prove this claim wrong. An attorney can also help with other issues during a workers’ compensation case, such as getting back pay if your employer does not while your injury heals.
When You Need to File a Claim
It is a widespread issue regarding work injuries and workers’ compensation claims. When companies have strict policies regarding filing claims, they may try to intimidate employees into not filing their claims by threatening them with demotion or reduced hours.
But these tactics are illegal, and you should never fear retaliation for filing a claim. The best thing you can do is contact an experienced attorney who can help you navigate filing your claim and ensure that your rights get protected throughout the process.
If you get injured at work, the first thing you should do is report it to your employer. Legal options are available if your employer doesn’t take the appropriate steps to ensure that you received treatment for the injury or ultimately hired a worker’s compensation attorney. However, if you are proactive about finding an attorney, it may limit the damages your employer will be responsible for. Depending on how long your employer knew that you were injured and failed to ensure that you received proper treatment. There may be additional damages available to compensate you for wage loss. Contacting an experienced work injury law firm can make the difference if you receive the financial compensation that is rightfully yours.
