Workplace safety is the employer’s responsibility. If you were injured at work in Virginia Beach, your immediate focus should be on getting medical help and informing your employer. Once you feel better, you can claim workers’ compensation benefits. In Virginia, employers with three or more employees must have workers’ compensation insurance. This is a no-fault insurance system, where the injured worker can file a claim to seek benefits, no matter who or what caused the accident. For winning your claim, you may want to work with a Virginia Beach workers’ compensation lawyer, to know the true worth of your damages. In this post, we are sharing relevant facts worth knowing.
1. Not reporting the accident immediately will impact your claim. Ideally, you should inform your employer or supervisor about your injuries at the earliest, after a workplace accident. Just because you didn’t manage to do the same on the fateful doesn’t mean that your claim will be denied. In Virginia, an injured worker must inform the employer within 30 days, so you have time.
2. Holding your employer responsible for your injuries. As per Virginia laws, you cannot sue your employer for your injuries, as you would otherwise in a regular case of personal injury. This is sort of an immunity for the employer for paying for Virginia Beach workers’ compensation lawyer. That said, if your employer retaliates against you, or you suffer discrimination at work because you filed a workers’ compensation claim, you may file a lawsuit.
3. Not all injuries merit a workers’ compensation claim. That’s true. Just because you suffered injuries doesn’t mean you have a valid claim. Your injuries should be a direct result of a job-related accident, or you must have been diagnosed with an occupational disease. For instance, if you suffered a heart attack during lunch, this may not be enough to file a claim.
Do you need a workers’ compensation lawyer?
The short answer is yes. Although not mandatory in VA, but hiring an attorney increases your chances of a fair settlement manifold. Attorneys know what it takes to work with claims adjusters, and they can keep a tab on insurance tactics. When you are negotiating with a big insurance company, having legal counsel is advisable. Most attorneys in VA work on workers’ compensation claims on a contingency fee, and you don’t have to pay the lawyer immediately.
Don’t delay in seeking legal advice after a workplace accident.
