To answer this question shortly, it depends.
All kinds of jobs have a certain degree of risk attached to it. From the simplest office jobs to borderline dangerous ones like mining and police work, risk is a part of the job. We can be as careful as we want when we are working, but accidents happen every time. You can get injured by something as simple as a paper cut to a thrown crowbar. Having any kind of injury can be a determining factor of your performance at work. There is some pain that you can ignore, but you need to be in a better physical state before you can get back to work. Depending on the injury, you can also apply for worker’s compensation.
However, applying for compensation really depends on the situation. There are times when your own company can just handle the claims and you can get them right away. However, there are also instances when it can get messy and complicated. There are even cases when you need to hire a lawyer just to prove that you are entitled for the compensation. It can be quite daunting to hire a lawyer because you might be worried about the fees. Learn more about this here.
As we have said before, not all cases need to have a lawyer. One of the best examples of a situation where you don’t need a lawyer is the injury is clearly a result of your work. For example, you are a police officer and you were shot in uniform while handling an altercation. Aside from the benefits that you get as a police officer, you are also entitled to insurance. Field work like mining and construction also covers all injuries related to the work being done. It wouldn’t make sense for the company not to cover these as they can face a backlash if they neglect this. If the injury is also non-fatal, insurance policies will also easily cover the medical fees.
However, there are common cases wherein that you may need to hire a lawyer to help you with your compensation claims. You can go to their offices or visit their websites like https://www.ramoslawfirm.com/contact/ to inquire about their services. Here are some of the best examples when you will need a lawyer:
Denied Compensation Claim
There are a lot of reasons why insurance companies will deny compensation regarding your injury. Common allegations include: incident did not happen in the workplace, the person was not wearing the appropriate gear for work, claims of negligence in personal responsibility. A lawyer can defend you from all of these statements by being honest about what really happened. He or she can present your case to the jury in a way that we would solidify your claims.
Permanent Physical Injury Or Long Period Of Absence Due To Injury
In this type of situation, a lawyer is really needed to assert your compensation claims. There needs to be a thorough investigation since this can be considered as a life-threatening situation. The company might also be investigated since there might be issues on their part. A lawyer will know how to defend your claims and explain your situation thoroughly. The company will also have a team of lawyers to represent them as well as the insurance company. You can let your lawyer face them and you will just have to supply all the details that you know.
Preexisting Sickness And Psychological Disorder Due To Working Conditions
The previous situations are relatively easier to claim than this one. Companies can claim that your preexisting condition is not their issue. However, you can still claim that working with them worsened the condition especially if you notified them in the first place. For psychological disorders, not all insurance companies cover this situation. Even though mental health awareness is rampant in modern society, insurance companies might still not cover them because it can easily be “faked”. Aside from obtaining a comprehensive psychological report, a lawyer can defend your claims regarding these situations.
If you are worrying about the fees, most lawyers would actually charge depending on the compensation claim. They can claim a percentage of what you will be receiving as compensation from the insurance or company. A lawyer can also increase these claims based on the information provided, so the fees can be covered by the compensation.