If you have been hurt or injured on the job and you qualify for worker’s compensation benefits, you may be able to receive funds to pay for your lost time and wages and your medical expenses. Worker’s compensation benefits can also extend to training you for a new job if you are unable to do your past job due to your injuries and to regular payments if your injury results in a permanent disability.
However, it can sometimes be tough to actually get the compensation that you are entitled to. If you are having a hard time getting your benefits, an Oklahoma City workers compensation attorney can help. While hiring an attorney is always wise, there are a few signs that definitely indicate you need an attorney and fast!
Sign #1: Your Injuries are Severe
When you have a minor injury that will heal with time, such as a broken arm or leg, you usually won’t run into too much trouble getting your claim honored. Surprisingly, however, when injuries are severe (and thus expensive), getting everything to which you are entitled can be a bit of a battle.
If your injuries are so severe that they warrant surgery, and are likely to result in permanent disability or impact your ability to work your current job or any job, you have a very serious claim on your hands. If handled correctly, this type of claim could result in you getting payments for life. The key phrase there, however, is “handled correctly.” Don’t leave whether or not you get such extensive benefits up to chance; retain an attorney to ensure you get what you deserve.
Sign #2: Your Claim Has Been Denied
Sometimes, even completely legitimate workers compensation claims get denied. When that happens, your fight to get what you’re entitled to just got a whole lot tougher!
A claim that has been denied does not mean that you will never see the benefits to which you are entitled. It just means you’re going to have to fight for them. Your lawyer can help you to do just that by making sure all required processes were handled correctly, by contacting the workers compensation carrier on your behalf, and even by arranging a hearing with Oklahoma’s workers compensation board.
Sign #3: You Get a Bad Settlement Offer
In order to avoid a lot of hassle, employers will often offer you what is known as a “settlement offer.” This offer basically says that you will receive a certain amount in exchange for not pursuing the claim further after the funds are received.
If, however, your settlement is much less than you expected, doesn’t cover the money you have lost or your medical bills or is just not what you want, an attorney can really come in handy. You should never just settle for what your employer initially offers; almost every time, an attorney can help you to get an even better settlement.
Sign #4: You Have Pre-Existing Disabilities
It’s not fair, but if you already had disabilities prior to your work injury, you stand a higher chance of your claim being denied. The reason is that employers can blame the pain and troubles you are experiencing on your pre-existing disability rather than on your most recent injury. While this practice is not fair, it often works in favor of the employer because it can be difficult to prove which problems are caused by the new injury and which were caused by the pre-existing disability. However, a lawyer can help you to get it all sorted out and to make sure you receive all that you’re entitled to.
Sign #5: Your Boss Goes on a Rampage
If you are fortunate enough to be able to return to work after your injury, you deserve to be treated the same way you were before the injury occurred. Unfortunately, however, not all employers are as kind and fair as they should be. If you find that, after returning to work, your employer suddenly decides to fire you, demote you, give you fewer hours, cut your pay, or discriminate against you, he or she may be retaliating against you for acting within your rights and filing a claim.
This behavior is not okay and should be reported to an attorney as soon as possible.
As you can see, a workers compensation attorney can really be beneficial in a lot of situations. Contact one if you notice any of the issues presented here or if you just want the claims filing process to go as smoothly as possible.
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