If you had to apply Murphy’s Law to just one occupation, the job of taxi driver might come to mind. “What can go wrong, will go wrong” is an apt way to describe the life of a cab driver. Around every corner sits a potential accident waiting to happen. The hours are often long and grueling, which can lead to a number of medical issues. Throw in criminals and other types of problem fares, and you can see why taxi drivers work one of the riskiest jobs. Workers’ compensation can ease some of pain and anxiety that is generated by an accident that causes one or more injuries.The issue for taxi drivers is their work status. Some drivers opt to work as independent contractors, which means they pay a company fees to lease vehicles, as well as to earn the right to collect fares. Other cab drivers work as employees and thus, they are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, as long as they meet the criteria established by the state where they work. Work to Be Done Before Filing a Claim You cannot expect to suffer an injury while driving a taxi, and immediately get to work on the paperwork required to process a workers’ compensation claim. You have to let your employer know about a work-related injury. After informing your employer, the company gets in touch with its insurance company to get ready for the claims process. In addition, letting your employer know also puts the company on alert about a personal safety issue or a mechanical problem with the vehicle you use to pick up fares. One Shot for Filling Out a Claim The workers’ compensation claim process is not a “File as many times as it takes to get it right” process. No, you have one opportunity to influence your employer’s insurance company. This means paying special attention to the section that requires an account of the incident that caused your illness or injury. Speaking with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney is highly recommended to make sure you complete and submit a thoroughly accurate claim. In the era of the Coronavirus, your lawyer can also decide whether your employer has instituted preventive measures to keep you safe on the job. Wait for a Decision Insurance companies conduct exhaustive investigations into workers’ compensation claims. Although insurers look for fraudulent claims, the companies also have several other ways to deny a claim. They say timing is everything, and that is especially true for a workers’ compensation claim. Another reason to hire an attorney is to prevent you from missing important filing deadlines. The insurance company representing your employer has between you and four weeks to return a decision. Some states award workers’ compensation claims to employees because the insurance company failed to meet the decision deadline. If your claim comes back denied for any reason, you have the right to file an appeal. Consult with a Workers’ Compensation Attorney An appeal is a difficult legal process to win for any workers’ compensation cases. Unless you have new evidence or stronger documentation supporting your medical records, an appeal might take up more of your time and cost you more in legal fees. Working with an accomplished workers’ compensation attorney can boost the chances of you winning an appeal. Most attorneys receive compensation only when clients win claims. Additional Resources What Might My WC Claim as an Injured Taxi Driver Be Worth? What You Need to Know If You Got Hurt Driving a Taxi
