Picture this: It’s business as usual at work until you are involved in an accident all of a sudden. The next thing you know, you are rushed to the hospital and are now going through enormous pain. With the condition, you can’t or cannot continue working and are unsure how long it will take to heal and if you are ever getting back on your feet.
Amid all these troubles, your workers’ comp claim gets denied or delayed. Now, you have no income and are left struggling with bills from medical to missed rent. Quite overwhelming! But you don’t need to walk that path alone; a workers’ comp lawyer can step in to fight for your right to compensation.
In North Carolina, thousands of compensation claims are filed every year. However, the claim can be denied for various reasons. That’s why you need an experienced lawyer to help you get fairly compensated so that you can focus on healing.
Here are seven key reasons why hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer in Durham is the right decision.
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Your Employer Disputes Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
Your compensation claims can suffer a big blow when your employer disputes them. They could even say the injury did not occur within the workplace. That’s a messy situation, and walking your way out alone can be tricky. If you are in Durhan, you should work with an expert Durham workers compensation lawyer who knows how the game is played. They will help you gather evidence and piece them together to make the case watertight.
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Your Injury is More Serious Than It Seems
Accidents at the workplace are not equal. You could suffer anything from a minor slip that leaves you with a strained muscle to something more severe, like losing a hand in a machine-related injury. In the same way, compensation packages differ. For a minor injury, not much can be done.
But if it’s something serious involving multiple fractures, spinal cord damage, or something that requires long-term care, things become much more challenging. Serious injuries often involve multiple treatments and, at times, conflicting doctor reports that can complicate your claim.
A good lawyer knows how to analyze medical reports and ensure the insurance company doesn’t cut your benefits unreasonably. So, just as you wouldn’t take on a complicated home renovation job, it’s best to leave complex injury claims to a professional who can dissect them better.
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Disagreements Over Your Disability Rating
Another way your injury could be downplayed, leading to a lower unjust compensation, is by getting a disability rating you disagree with.
So, what do you do when the injury is more severe than what the doctor or insurance company paints? Seek justice, right? You can challenge the compensation either with the insurance or court with the help of a compensation lawyer. They will help you collect the necessary evidence to prove your claim. Without expert guidance, you could find yourself stuck with a rating that doesn’t reflect the condition.
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Your Employer Wants You Back to Work Too Soon
If your employer slaps you with a “walk it off” when you’re not ready, something needs to be done. Some employers force workers to report back before they are fully healed. Besides the pain or discomfort, getting a second injury could be more catastrophic.
According to the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act, injured employees should follow the recommendations of their workers’ comp doctor. The doctor is usually assigned by the employer or their insurer. Sometimes, the doctor might push you too hard, and the best action is to request a second opinion. Your lawyer will show you the exact steps to ensure you are not forced to return to your job before recovering fully.
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They Help You Maximize Your Settlement
You know, insurance companies aren’t known for being generous. After all, they are in business, and their goal is to minimize expenses to maximize profits. So, they will often try to settle your case for the lowest amount possible. If you don’t have a skilled negotiation lawyer, you may accept an offer that looks great, only to find out later that you would have done much better.
An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer understands how to negotiate with these companies and can tell unfair offers. With several years in the game, they’ve seen all the tricks that industry players unleash and can better push back for a better settlement. Having a lawyer representing you will give you the best possible compensation. They ensure no money on the table!
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It Means Less Stress and Peace of Mind
Dealing with an injury is stressful enough. Mixing it with complicated legal fights only makes it worse. Hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer allows you to lighten the stress load by allowing them to worry about legal tussles while you focus on your health. The doctors will handle everything for the insurance adjusters. Your peace of mind is essential, so don’t add more when you can avoid it.
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No Upfront Costs
Worried about the cost of hiring a lawyer? Here’s the good news: workers’ compensation lawyers typically work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay them unless you win.
Even when they win, it doesn’t come from your pocket; they take a percentage of your settlement. You know what that means? If you don’t get paid, neither do they. With a win-win scenario, getting a lawyer seems wise. In any case, they increase the chances of getting a good compensation package. That means you can get justice without any further financial burdens.
Conclusion
Even if you are well compensated, dealing with an injury from work is challenging enough. So, when you have to fight for your benefits, which are actually your rights, the pain could weigh you down. Hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer in Durham is the best course to get the full compensation you deserve.
If your claim is being challenged, you need an expert to handle it. Don’t go in alone when you can get the help you need from a local Durham workers’ comp lawyer who can deliver the best outcome.
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