Burlington Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
There are laws the protect employees in the event they are injured while they are at work. Each state has its own laws, and every company that employs a certain number of employees is required to follow these laws.
Workers’ compensation laws provide workers with a percentage of their normal salary after they are injured and unable to return to work, but the laws can be complicated at times.
To make things even more complicated, employers have a right to contest these benefits if they do not believe an employee deserves them. A Burlington workers’ compensation lawyer can help you protect your rights. If you have been injured on the job, speak with a skilled personal injury attorney that can fight for you. En Español.
What is Workers’ Compensation?
When a worker is injured at their place of employment, they have a legal right file for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits help injured individuals provide for themselves if they are unable to return to work, and it can also help cover medical expenses.
If a worker fails to file for compensation, not only will they be unable to return to work, but they will be responsible for paying for their own injuries. The workers’ compensation program is beneficial to employers as well, and when employees have access to the funds they need to survive financially, they are far less likely to sue their employer.
Injuries Not Covered Under the Law
There are some injuries that are covered by the law, and others that are not. Depending on the type of type of injury a person sustains, they may need assistance from a Burlington workers’ compensation attorney to file a claim. In most circumstances, an individual will not be able to receive compensation for the following medical issues:
- Preexisting health conditions, even if they are made worse by the work environment
- Mental illnesses stemming from stress
- Self-inflicted injuries
- Exposure to toxins in the workplace
- Injuries that occur outside of working hours
- Injuries sustained while the employee is intoxicated
If an employee is injured by defective equipment, they may need to file a lawsuit against the maker of the equipment if they desire compensation. To file a suit against the manufacturer of a piece of equipment, injured employees will need the help of an attorney.
Filing a Worker’s Comp Claim
When a worker sustains an injury, their employer should offer them a workers’ compensation form as soon as they are made aware of the injury. Once the worker is offered this form, they should complete it as quickly and as accurately as possible, and the faster the worker turns in the form, the faster they can begin receiving benefits. Workers should always keep a completed copy of the form for themselves and their Burlington workers’ compensation lawyer.
If an employer does not believe an employee is entitled to workers’ compensation, they have a right to challenge the claim in court. If a person is challenged by their employer, they will need to hire an attorney to prove they deserve benefits according to the law. Hiring a Burlington workers’ compensation lawyer can help employees even the playing field and get the compensation they need to survive.
Talking to a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If you have been injured on the job, you will need all the help you can get if your claim has been denied. More than likely, if your employer contests your claim, it will be denied if you do not have proper legal representation. Contact a Burlington workers’ compensation lawyer if you need assistance with your claim today.
