Helpful Hints:
1. When do I tell my employer about my injury?
The answer is right away. There is no other way to put it. You need to tell your supervisor, your manager, the person in charge immediately about your injury. In the event it happens at the end of the shift and there is no one there, leave a note, leave a phone message for your supervisor and the next morning, go in and talk to your supervisor, manager or person in charge. Many times a person who is injured will think the pain will go away or they don’t want to bother their employer. They may not be able to work the next day. Many times an employer will not agree to pay a workmen’s compensation claim if they don’t receive immediate notice of the claim.
2. What do I do if I receive a Petition in the mail terminating or suspending my benefits?
You should immediately get in touch with me. You need to have a qualified attorney to file an answer or other petitions, which will be heard before a workmen’s compensation judge. Don’t forget your benefits cannot be stopped unless a workmen’s compensation judge so orders or both parties agree.
3. What happens if my worker’s compensation claim is turned down?
You have three years from the date of your injury to file again. You need to get an attorney with experience in workmen’s compensation laws to properly advise you how to proceed.
4. My worker’s compensation carrier has stopped my payments.
If a workmen’s compensation carrier stops your payment unilaterally or without a court order, you do have rights. You can file a number of petitions to get your benefits reinstated and restored. Contact me right away and I will help you.
5. Can I afford an attorney?
The answer is yes. If you hire me to file a claim for you, my fee is 20%, which will be deducted from the benefits that are recovered for you. You don’t have to pay anything until we recover benefits for you.
6. What injuries occurring at work fall under the Workers Compensation Act?
If while you are working you are injured, or you had an old medical problem which gets worse, then the law entitles you to workmen’s compensation benefits.
7. The employer’s doctor releases me to go back to work but my doctor disagrees. What are my rights?
You can choose not to go back to work, but if you do not return to work, the insurance company will probably file a petition to terminate, suspend or modify benefits. In this case, you will continue to receive benefits until a hearing is scheduled for a judge to review your claim.
8. Recently, I was examined by the company physician. Shortly thereafter, I received a petition in the mail stating that my benefits should be terminated as of the date of the company doctor’s examination. What should I do?
To defend this, you should contact me. Your benefits cannot be stopped without a court order or an agreement of the parties. The petition will be litigated before a workers compensation judge.
