Biggest Challenges To Getting Compensation For Workplace Injuries
Work environments of all types have inherent risks. Even if you are working in an office, a simple water spill, torn carpet or the lack of building maintenance can put you in danger. The risk is elevated even more for those who work at construction sites, warehouses, and other buildings where physical labor is required.
If you are injured while working, our Atlanta and Savannah workers’ compensation attorneys can help.
The Hurdles in the Way of Qualifying for Workers’ Compensation
A claim for workers’ compensation is not guaranteed to be approved. The primary challenge in claim approval is proving the injury is causally related to workplace activities.
Your Atlanta and Savannah workers’ compensation attorney will thoroughly review your injury including all supporting documentation to prove your work duties caused or at least partially caused your injury.
Establishing a Causal Relationship
An independent medical exam (IME) will likely be performed to determine if your injury is legitimate and has a causal relationship to your work duties. Such an examination is conducted by an unbiased doctor.
The doctor will analyze the injured body site along with medical documentation and additional information to determine if there is the potential for a causal relationship between workplace duties and the injury.
If one or several coworkers, customers or others witnessed the injury during the course of work, their testimony will also help prove a causal relationship exists. If no one witnessed the injury occur at work, it is possible that workplace surveillance cameras caught the injury on tape. Such video evidence can be used at your workers’ compensation hearing to prove a causal relationship exists.
The Challenge of Remaining Employed
There is the potential to be downsized or otherwise terminated prior to the point at which you file a claim. If you are laid off before filing a workers’ compensation claim, the claim might be denied. The logic in the workers’ compensation board denying claims after termination is that such claims tend to be viewed as forms of revenge.
Do your best to remain employed after injury, file your claim as quickly as possible with the assistance of a workers’ compensation attorney and you’ll maximize the chances of claim approval.
Refusing to Get Medical Care
It is imperative that you meet with a medical professional after your injury. A physician’s review of your injury helps prove it is real and also that there is a connection to your workplace activities.
Moreover, the medical documentation of the injury should be consistent with the accident report filed at work. If the two records conflict, the claim can be denied. Be consistent with human resources at the time you report the injury and the doctor who analyzes your injury to increase the chances of claim approval.
The Challenge of Communication
There are several “moving parts” of workers’ compensation claims. Ongoing communication is necessary between the following parties and more:
- The claims examiner who manages the claim
- The workers’ compensation board
- Medical care providers
- Your attorney
An experienced workers’ compensation attorney will submit necessary paperwork and correspondence on time without exception. Your attorney will also interact with all appropriate parties on your behalf, pushing for timely medical treatment and financial compensation.
Learn More During a Consultation With Our Atlanta and Savannah Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
Your focus should be centered on rebuilding your body, mind, and spirit after a workplace injury. Let the Atlanta and Savannah workers’ compensation attorney of Parsons Law Group handle your case and we’ll maximize your chances of claim approval, medical care, and financial indemnity. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
