Workplace Injuries and Compensation: What You Need to Know

In recent years, the workplace landscape has become increasingly demanding, leading to a surge in work-related injuries due to extended working hours and often inadequate training. These circumstances create a heightened risk for employees, making it crucial to understand workers' compensation and the role of a workers' compensation attorney in the aftermath of a work-related injury.

What is a workers' compensation case?

A workers' compensation case pertains to the compensation individuals receive following an injury sustained at their workplace. These injuries commonly involve issues with the spine and joints, often stemming from activities such as lifting heavy items.

What steps should you take after a work-related injury?

Notify your employer: Your first action should be reporting your injury to your employer. This initial step sets the process in motion.

Seek medical treatment: Request immediate medical treatment to address your injury. It's important to note that in workers' compensation cases, the insurance company selects your doctor. Therefore, it's crucial to receive treatment promptly and be thorough in describing all symptoms, including minor ones.

Complete all paperwork: Ensure that you meticulously fill out all necessary paperwork, leaving no details omitted.

After your medical examination, your doctor will provide a diagnosis and treatment plan. It's essential to know that if you disagree with your doctor's assessment, you have the option for a one-time change of doctors within the same medical specialty, with the insurance company's selection.

Workers' compensation comprises two primary forms of compensation: indemnity (lost wages) and medical benefits.

As you heal and reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), the workers' compensation payments will cease. However, if you remain disabled after your doctor deems you have healed, you may be eligible for compensation based on your permanent impairment rating, typically lasting for a specified number of weeks.

It's important to understand that reaching MMI doesn't necessarily signify the end of treatments. If your doctor believes ongoing treatments will benefit you, you have the right to receive them.

Another critical aspect to consider is that workers' compensation payments do not cover your entire salary. Instead, they provide a percentage of your Average Weekly Wage (AWW) if you are unable to work for a certain period. This is referred to as Temporary Total Disability (TTD) and typically equals 66 ⅔% of your AWW. If you are assigned light-duty work but there are no suitable tasks available, you will receive 64% of your AWW.

Lastly, the decision to accept a settlement is entirely up to you. A settlement involves surrendering your rights to additional compensation, your job, and the option to sue your employer at a later date.

This information may appear overwhelming, but that's where an experienced workers' compensation attorney comes in. If you've suffered a work-related injury and are unsure about the next steps, don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to provide the guidance and support you need.

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0:00 Intro
0:10 Stressful Years
0:44 What I do
1:07 What is a workers' compensation claim?
1:58 Immediately after the accident
2:14 Medical Treatment
2:54 2 kinds of benefits
3:08 Not happy with your treating Doctor?
3:27 MMI
3:46 IIB
4:16 Not a full paycheck
4:49 TTD
5:05 Light duty
5:35 Settlement
6:12 Overwhelmed? We can help

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