If you got hurt on the job, you have every reason to believe your employer will take care of you. They should cover your medical bills and pay you while you’re out of work. After all, that’s what workers compensation is for. Unfortunately, our North Carolina workers compensation lawyers meet with people every week who’ve had their claim denied. They’re left without any income and no way to pay for the medical care.
Not everybody has health insurance these days. Even if you do, they may not want to pay for your care if they know it was work related. That’s why, if your claim is denied for any reason, you should call a North Carolina personal injury attorney the very next day. They do offer you a free consultation, so there’s no reason to not at least hear what they have to say.
Filing a Workers Compensation Claim is Harder than You May Think
A lot of the people we talk to think that filing a workers compensation claim involves nothing more than filling out some paperwork. They don’t realize the requirements to qualify for workers comp benefits are rather strict. Your employer and their insurance company must be able to review your claim and make a decision as to whether you deserve benefits.
Sometimes, they deny your claim because it’s too large. They may think they can settle for a lot less down the road. Or they deny your claim because they don’t think your accident happened on company time. Rather than give them the opportunity to deny your claim, you should have a North Carolina workers compensation lawyer help you file it in the first place. They’ll know what information to include and how to answer the questions on the claim form so that you have the best chance of having an approved.
Your North Carolina Workers Compensation Lawyer Can Help with Your Claim
People don’t realize that if they make a mistake when they first file their workers compensation claim, their entire claim can be denied. For example, if you don’t include a description of the accident and your injuries, there’s no way for the insurance carrier to know if they should approve it or deny it. If you refuse to get treatment, then your employer can only assume that you weren’t injured.
All these things are important when you file your initial claim. That’s why it’s a good idea to at least talk to a North Carolina workers compensation lawyer before you make any final decisions. You shouldn’t submit any paperwork until your attorney has a chance to review it. And if you hire your North Carolina personal injury attorney early enough in the process, they can actually help you file your initial claim.
If Need Be, Your North Carolina Personal Injury Attorney Can File an Appeal
If, for some reason, your employer denies your workers compensation claim, your North Carolina personal injury attorney can file an appeal. When you file an appeal, it will go before an officer of the North Carolina’s Industrial Commission. They will look at the information submitted by both sides and make a final determination about benefits.
As an impartial party, they should be able to evaluate the evidence fairly and make a reasonable decision. If they fail to do this and your claim is still denied, you always have the option of asking your North Carolina workers compensation lawyer to file a lawsuit against your employer.
As a Last Resort, Your North Carolina Workers Compensation Lawyer Can File Suit
Ideally, your workers compensation claim will be paid the first time you submit it. Nobody likes to deal with the headache of having your claim denied and then having to appeal it. Unfortunately, not all workers comp claims are approved the first time. While it’s not as bad as it is when you file for disability, it can still be extremely frustrating.
If your North Carolina workers compensation lawyer has done everything they can and the insurance company still won’t pay, then it’s time to consider taking legal action. You can file a lawsuit against your employer under workers comp demanding all the benefits you should have received dating back to the day of your accident. If you suffered any partial or total disabilities as a result of your workplace accident, your attorney will demand a lump sum payment for these injuries as well.
Your Lawyer Won’t Let the Insurance Company Take Advantage of You
One of the most frustrating things about dealing with a worker’s comp claim is watching the insurance company try to take advantage of you. Like most adults, you have been working for years and understand what your rights are. Just because you’re not an attorney, that doesn’t mean the insurance company should treat you like you did something wrong.
A lot of times your employer and their insurance carrier make you jump through hoops just to get the benefits you’re entitled to. If you retain a North Carolina personal injury attorney this can’t happen.
Once the insurance carrier understands you are represented by an attorney, they’ll change their approach and attitude really quickly. They know that your attorney won’t be intimidated by them and won’t fall for the tactics. They also understand that your North Carolina workers compensation lawyer has no trouble filing suit if need be.
Reach Out to an Experienced North Carolina Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you were hurt on the job and your employer refuses to pay your workers compensation claim, you should contact our office right away. If the insurance company knows you don’t have a North Carolina workers compensation lawyer, they may try to take advantage of you. They may deny your claim or offer you benefits below what you deserve. They may even force you to return to work before you’re fully healed. Rather than risk this happening, you should sit down and talk to a North Carolina personal injury attorney right away.
When you contact our office, you’ll have the opportunity to schedule your free, initial consultation. This gives you a chance to discuss your case with an experienced attorney who knows the law in North Carolina. If they think you have a valid claim, they’ll let you know. If they don’t think you have a legitimate claim for benefits, they’ll be upfront and honest with you. The goal is to determine what your rights are and how you can protect them. Our North Carolina workers compensation lawyer can help you do that.
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