Have you suffered a workplace injury? Are you unsure of how to navigate the workers’ compensation claims process? If you work in North Carolina, you may want to arrange a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. If your injury is minor and you did not lose many workdays, advice and guidelines might be all you need.
A lawyer can answer your questions and explain the process. If you do not expect your employer to challenge your claim, you might not need legal counsel after the initial consultation. Moreover, if you know the workers’ compensation process and your claim is not complicated, you can represent yourself.
Issues that could complicate your workers’ comp claim
When some of the following matters complicate your claim’s navigation, hiring an attorney might be the sensible next step:
- Your employer claims your injury is not work-related.
- Your employer or the insurance provider denied your claim.
- Your condition prevents you from returning to work.
- The nature of your injury does not allow you to return to the same occupation.
- You plan to claim, or are eligible, for Social Security Disability benefits.
- A third-party, not linked to your employer, caused the injury.
- Your employer treated you unfairly after you filed your workers’ compensation claim.
- You feel that the compensation settlement offered is not fair.
If your injury or illness caused progressive damage, proving it to be work-related might cause additional complications. Your reason for hiring an attorney might be no more than feeling intimidated by your employer and the insurance provider.
What can the workers’ compensation attorney do?
An attorney can take care of the following tasks to help you receive the benefits you deserve:
- Explain the deadlines and ensure you fill out the necessary forms and file them before the deadlines.
- Help you obtain the relevant medical reports and evidence to support your claim.
- Handle communications with the insurance company on your behalf.
- Negotiate a settlement and make sure it is fair.
- Draft a written settlement agreement to protect your rights.
- If there is a hearing, your attorney can attend it on your behalf.
- If your claim was denied, your lawyer could navigate an appeal.
Navigating a workers’ compensation benefits claim while dealing with your injury or illness and anxiety about the mounting medical bills and wage losses could overwhelm you. However, hiring an experienced North Carolina attorney could allow you to focus on recovering and returning to work. Legal counsel can handle negotiations on your behalf, and if those do not bring the results to serve your best interests, the attorney can take the claim to court. During litigation, your lawyer can protect your rights and fight for maximum compensation under applicable laws.