When to Consult an Attorney for Your Workers' Compensation Claim
Know the Right Time to Get Legal Help for Your Workers’ Compensation Case
Workers' compensation is designed to provide straightforward benefits to employees injured on the job. In an ideal scenario, you report your injury, file a claim, and receive medical care and wage replacement without complications. Unfortunately, the process doesn't always work smoothly.
Knowing when to consult an attorney can make the difference between receiving the benefits you deserve and being left without critical financial support during your recovery. To discuss any concerns regarding your claim, contact our Montgomery workers’ compensation lawyer at The Law Office of Richard F. Matthews, Jr. today.
Your Claim Has Been Denied
One of the most common reasons to seek legal representation is when your workers' compensation claim has been denied. Insurance carriers deny claims for various reasons, and some are legitimate, but many are questionable. They may:
- Argue your injury isn't work-related
- Claim you failed to report the injury within the required timeframe
- Assert that you were intoxicated or engaged in horseplay when injured
A denial doesn't mean your case is over. Our experienced workers' compensation attorney can review the reasons for denial, gather additional evidence to support your claim, and represent you through the appeals process. Many initially denied claims are ultimately approved with proper legal advocacy.
Disputes Over Benefit Amounts
If you believe you're not receiving the correct amount of workers' compensation benefits, consulting an attorney is important. Calculating average weekly wages, determining appropriate compensation rates, and understanding how pre-existing conditions affect benefits can be complex. Insurance carriers sometimes undervalue claims, hoping injured workers won't recognize the error. An attorney ensures your benefits are calculated correctly based on your actual earnings and the severity of your injuries.
Your Injury Resulted in Permanent Disability
Serious injuries that result in permanent partial or total disability require careful legal handling. The amount you receive for permanent disability significantly impacts your long-term financial security. Insurance companies often try to minimize disability ratings or argue that your permanent limitations aren't as severe as your doctors indicate. A workers’ compensation lawyer can work with medical experts to properly document your permanent impairment and fight for appropriate compensation.
Third-Party Liability Exists
Sometimes workplace injuries involve negligence by someone other than your employer, such as equipment manufacturers, subcontractors, or property owners. In these situations, you may be entitled to pursue both workers' compensation benefits and a separate personal injury lawsuit against the third party. Personal injury claims provide more comprehensive compensation than workers' compensation alone, including damages for pain and suffering. Our firm can identify potential third-party claims and pursue maximum recovery.
Your Employer Lacks Workers' Compensation Insurance
If your employer doesn't carry required workers' compensation insurance, you face unique challenges in obtaining benefits. We can identify alternative remedies, including potential personal injury lawsuits against your employer.
Settlement Offers Are on the Table
Never accept a workers' compensation settlement without consulting an attorney. Insurance companies frequently offer settlements that seem reasonable but actually undervalue your claim. Once you accept a settlement, you typically cannot reopen your claim for additional benefits, even if your condition worsens. Our workers’ compensation lawyer evaluates whether a settlement offer fairly compensates you for all past and future medical expenses, lost earning capacity, and permanent disability.
Seek Help from Our Montgomery Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today
At The Law Office of Richard F. Matthews, Jr., we help Montgomery workers pursue workers' compensation claims. If any of these situations apply to you, contact us today for a consultation to protect your rights and secure the benefits you deserve.
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. These recoveries and testimonials are not an indication of future results. Every case is different, and regardless of what friends, family, or other individuals may say about what a case is worth, each case must be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances as they apply to the law. The valuation of a case depends on the facts, the injuries, the jurisdiction, the venue, the witnesses, the parties, and the testimony, among other factors. No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
The Law Office of Richard F. Matthews, Jr. serves Montgomery County, Pike County, Elmore County, Autauga County, the River Region of Alabama and throughout the State of Alabama, including Montgomery, Troy, Wetumpka Prattville, Selma and Tuskegee. No attorney-client relationship is established by requesting a consultation or emailing Attorney Richard F. Matthews, Jr.. Information submitted in such communication is not privileged and may be subject to disclosure.
