There’s no bigger trauma than getting injured at your place of work. This could have tremendous consequences – you may have to pay huge for your ongoing and long-term medical care and may have to stay out of work for weeks or even months. Thankfully, the workers’ compensation system is there for help. However, things may not be as simple as you imagine. The insurance company may deny your claim, or you may not get the checks as per schedule. A Virginia Beach workers’ comp attorney can help fight such circumstances, and most of the top lawyers in the area work on a contingency fee, which is a big advantage. Below are some common mistakes related to workers’ compensation claims in Virginia that you must avoid.
- Signing a general release. The insurance company will do what it takes to deny or minimize your benefits. If you sign a general release on the behest of the insurance company, you may grant them rights to your prior medical records. This could mean that the insurance adjuster will find details that are not related to your workers’ compensation claim but could be used against you.
- Assuming that the workers’ compensation adjuster is a “good” person. Just because the claims adjuster seems friendly, it doesn’t mean they would do what they promise. Remember that the workers’ compensation adjuster is eventually working for the insurance company, and they don’t have your best interests in their mind.
- Seeking lost wages when not under an Award. If your doctor says that you can work in some capacity and when you are not under an Award yet, you have to look for jobs. This is automatically true even for cases where the injured worker believes that they cannot work but their doctor says otherwise.
- Missing vocational rehabilitation meetings. If your doctor says that you can work and you have been asked to go for vocational rehabilitation, you need to attend the meetings. Cooperating with the vocational counselor is absolutely necessary, or else they can get your benefits terminated.
- Not hiring an attorney. If you don’t know how to file a workers’ compensation claim or adhere to deadlines, you should get an attorney on your side because lawyers can negotiate and fight better. You just need to ensure that the attorney you choose is someone who is experienced in the field and has worked on similar workers’ compensation claims.
Hire an attorney now.