If you have suffered a work-related injury or have been diagnosed with an occupational disease, you are most likely eligible to receive workers' compensation benefits. However, you must follow the proper protocol in your state when filing a claim for benefits. Usually, a strict statute of limitations applies, so you cannot wait too late to file your claim for benefits. Because of the complexity of such claims, you should consult with a workers' compensation attorney in your state. With the help of a workers' compensation lawyer, you can significantly increase your chances of a successful workers' compensation claim and receive all the benefits that you are entitled to a workers' compensation claim. What Are The Benefits Included In A Workers' Compensation Claim? Workers' compensation insurance offers very specific benefits. First, it provides medical benefits. This means that your employer or its insurer will foot the bill for all of your medical care. Generally, however, you must go to a medical provider that is included on the insurer's list of approved workers' compensation providers. After you have missed a specified number of days, per the state laws where you live and work, you will receive a portion of your regular salary. Usually, it is about 66% of what you would normally get for working. If you suffer serious injuries that can lead to permanent disabilities or impact your ability to work in the long run, you might be able to receive additional compensation depending on your state and the laws there. In some cases, you might be provided with vocational training if you cannot return to the same job and need to be trained for a different line of work. How Much Would A Settlement Be? Of course, settlements vary from one case to another. Several things come into play, such as the severity of the injury, what caused the accident, and the prognosis for the long-term impact. The value of your case is based on your future workers' compensation benefits. In most cases, workers' compensation settlements are calculated by taking the benefit for your weekly wages and multiplying that figure by 52 so you can get an estimate of how much the insurance company would pay you for a year of lost wages. Then, you figure out how long you would be without work. There could be maximum time limits depending on the state laws where you work. Your attorney will be reimbursed costs that were advanced for your case plus the agreed percentage of the settlement. Consult With A Workers' Compensation Attorney If you have been hurt on the job or suffered an illness that is work-related, you should consult with a workers' compensation attorney. There is nothing to lose and your case evaluation is free of charge. Without an attorney, you might not receive all the benefits that you are entitled to receive. Don't wait until it is too late. Schedule your free case evaluation today so you can get your claim started. Additional Resources How Much is Your Claim Worth? What Does Workers' Compensation Cover?
