If you have been injured at the workplace and have suffered serious injuries, you may consider filing a workers’ compensation claim. While workers’ comp claims may seem easy and simple on paper, things can be really complicated in the real world. Insurance companies will do their best to prove things as they want, so they don’t have to pay a lot on compensation, and your employer may deny their involvement, as well. If you are out of work for weeks, you may need to file for disability benefits too. All of this gets easier when you work with a known law firm, such as Law Offices of Edward J. Singer APLC.
In this post, we are sharing the questions you must ask your workers’ compensation lawyer when you discuss your case.
- “What kind of benefits do I qualify for?”
This is probably the most pertinent question that you can ask. Not all workers can get workers’ compensation benefits, while some may be entitled for medical and disability benefits too. It all depends on the facts of your case, and you must know what can be expected when you file the claim.
- “Do I need to file a case against my employer?”
This is another relevant question to consider. Just because you are filing for workers’ compensation claim doesn’t mean you have to sue your employer. In fact, there are only a handful of circumstances where both are allowed. In some cases, it is possible that the victim may not have a workers’ compensation claim to begin with, and their only option is a lawsuit. Ask your attorney to explain this in detail.
- “Do I need to file the claim now?”
In most states, there is a deadline for filing workers’ compensation cases, but in general, you need to inform your employer of the injury as soon as possible. The deadline for filing workers’ compensation case can be longer in some states, typically extending up to two years, but it may not be wise to file the claim right away. Note that in some states, you may have to see a physician that has been preapproved by your employer, but again this may vary. Ask your workers’ compensation lawyer to explain this.
Beyond these three questions, make sure that your lawyer is known and experienced. They need to know the state laws inside out and should be able to set realistic expectations.
