An on-the-job injury in Richmond can keep you from work for weeks or months. Expectedly, medical care expenses and wage losses will pile up quickly. Thankfully, you can file a workers’ compensation claim to seek benefits. The workers’ compensation system doesn’t require injured workers to prove the fault of respective employers to recover compensation. However, they cannot sue their employers for negligence either. You should get legal advice if you don’t understand the process. In this post, we have seven quick suggestions to deal with your claim.
- Get prompt medical care: No matter the circumstances, you have the right to see a doctor. You should seek immediate treatment and must keep up with the follow-up care. If your doctor wants you to rest and stay away from work, listen to them.
- Don’t delay informing your employer: Your workers’ compensation claim is also largely dependent on what you do after the injury. You have the duty to inform your employer, and it is always better to do so in writing without delay. Virginia laws give you 30 days, but experts advise on acting as soon as possible.
- Keep all records and notes: Ensure you have a file for all your medical treatment details, payments, bills, and everything else, including procedures recommended by the physician. Medical documentation is critical for your claim and will help your lawyer.
- Take pictures: From the day you are injured to the weeks through the recovery, you must take pictures and videos of your visible injuries. This is evidence that you were hurt at work and required time to heal. Your lawyer will eventually rely on that information to build the case.
- Find a competent lawyer: You need an attorney specializing in personal injury law. Ensure the lawyer deals with workers’ compensation claims and largely works for injured workers. There shouldn’t be a conflict of interest. You can also check the track record of the lawyer.
- Keep up with the deadline: You have two years to file a workers’ compensation claim according to Virginia’s statute of limitations. Your lawyer will keep up with the timeline but always ask questions about what you can do next, especially if your claim is denied.
- Watch out for your employer’s behavior: Your employer cannot discriminate or retaliate against you for filing a workers’ compensation claim. While you cannot blame them for the accident, they cannot treat you differently for your injury. Talk to your lawyer if that happens.
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