Injuries at work are an everyday occurrence in the nation’s capital. It is comforting for injured employees to know that in nearly every place of employment there is workers’ compensation insurance available to protect employees in the event of an injury at work. Any serious accident can turn out to be an expensive liability for the injured worker, but a successful WC claim can help to pay medical bills and replace some, but not all lost earnings. A workers’ compensation lawyer can be of real help when seeking compensation for a workplace injury. Choosing a Workers’ Comp. Lawyer in Washington, D.C. Even if you think that your workplace injury was clear-cut, may still find a workers’ compensation lawyer’s advice very helpful. Many workers’ compensation claims are denied at the outset, and an appeal is quite hard without the legal help from a licensed Washington, D.C. attorney. As it might be expected, the District of Columbia is the base for very many different lawyers, but for a workers’ compensation claim to succeed at any stage of the process, you should choose one of the over 140 lawyers in Washington, D.C. who provide assistance in WC cases. Common Injuries at Work in Washington, D.C. One tends to think of Washington, D.C. as a center of government but in fact there are a variety of occupations in the District. The Bureau of Labor Statistics* reveals that the transport, transportation, public transit and warehousing occupations have the worst injury rates, including workplace fatality rates. Warehousing jobs often involve heavy lifting and the use of heavy machinery. Common injuries are back and neck strain and spinal dislocations. Serious injuries occur when body parts are trapped or squeezed in moving machinery. District of Columbia Workers' Compensation Claim Procedure All employers in Washington, D.C. must provide workers’ compensation cover for their workers, so unless your claim is denied and the appeal process fails, it is highly unlikely that you will need to file a personal injury claim because of a workplace injury. If you are injured at work in Washington, D.C. you must inform your employer within 30 days. The District’s statute of limitation also imposes a 1 year time limit on filing a claim. In the first instance, the claim should be submitted to your employer’s insurer, but if it is denied, the appeal must be lodged with the Administrative Hearings Division. Your workers’ compensation lawyer will be invaluable at this stage. Use a Free Claim Evaluation to Find a Suitable D.C. Based Attorney It can be unnerving when you have to choose a suitable lawyer, even when you know that you should use a lawyer with workers’ compensation experience. With the Washington, D.C. area having over 140 suitable lawyers, who do you choose? One answer is to use our free claim form which is available to complete below. Remember that Washington, D.C. has quite tight statute of limitations and it is wise to start the claim process as soon as possible. *Source: bls.gov/iif/oshstate.htm#DC Additional Resources Workers' Compensation Claims by Injury How Much is Your Claim Worth?
