Don’t Go It Alone: 10 Reasons Why You Need to Hire a Raleigh Workers’ Comp Lawyer

One of the most important benefits provided by an employer is workers’ compensation. This state-mandated insurance seeks to protect employees from suffering financial hardship when they are injured or become sick on the job. While employees who have been hurt on the job are eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits for medical bills, lost wages, and rehabilitation expenses, the process of filing a claim and receiving compensation is often complicated and cumbersome.

If your rights to workers’ compensation benefits are denied or if you are at odds with your employer or their insurance company, hiring a Raleigh workers’ comp lawyer to represent you can make all the difference. Here are 10 reasons why you should consider working with a workers’ compensation attorney.

#1: A Workers’ Compensation Attorney Knows the Law

The laws for workers’ compensation differ in each state and can be quite complex to navigate. North Carolina workers’ comp laws include numerous regulations and procedures intended to administer compensation to injured workers. An experienced Raleigh workers’ comp lawyer will be familiar with these state-specific laws and will help to ensure that your claim includes everything that is legally required. This experience with the specifics of North Carolina’s workers’ compensation machinery is beneficial, as claims have varying deadlines and required documents, as well as types of benefits that can be requested and received.

#2: Accurate and Timely Filing of Claims

The most common reason for workers’ comp claims being denied in North Carolina is the failure to report the injury to the employer and/or file the claim in a timely fashion. In North Carolina, injured workers generally have 30 days to report the injury to their employer and two years to file a claim with the North Carolina Industrial Commission. An attorney can help you meet these time deadlines, fill out the correct workers’ comp forms, and get your forms submitted.  

#3: Gathering and Presenting Evidence

Similarly, a worker’s compensation claim stands a better chance for success with strong and comprehensive evidence. This includes medical records, accident records, witness statements, and other documents verifying your injury, how it occurred, and the working conditions that made it more likely to occur. A Raleigh workers’ comp lawyer has the ability to gather these materials. They can also work with doctors to create detailed medical reports that clearly outline the nature of your injury.

#4: Dealing with Insurance Companies

Insurance companies are often more concerned with their bottom line than providing fair compensation to injured workers. They may use various tactics to minimize or deny your claim, such as questioning the severity of your injury, arguing that it was pre-existing, or claiming it did not take place at work. An attorney can level the playing field by negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf. They understand the strategies insurers use and can refute them effectively to secure the benefits you deserve.

#5: Representation in Hearings and Appeals

If your workers’ compensation claim is denied, you have the right to request a hearing before the North Carolina Industrial Commission. You may even carry that determination to other levels of appeals through to the state’s higher courts. However, self-representation is a daunting and convoluted process that can leave you at a distinct disadvantage during the hearings. A Raleigh workers’ compensation lawyer can file an appeal on your behalf and present your case at these hearings. Their familiarity with these proceedings gives you a better chance of getting your claim approved.

#6: Maximizing Your Benefits

Among the benefits that workers who experience lost wages due to a work injury can receive are physician and surgeon services, the necessities of life, medicine and drugs, vocational rehabilitation services, necessary travel expenses for prescribed medical care, and funeral allowances. A workers’ compensation lawyer who represents you can ensure that you receive the maximum benefits allowed. He or she can accurately calculate wage loss benefits and ensure that you receive all necessary medical treatments.

#7: Managing Complicated Cases

Some workers’ comp cases are more intricate than others due to the number of severe injuries and defendants or disagreements over the extent of the injuries and whether they prevent you from working full-time or as much as you did prior to the injury. If your injury resulted in permanent disability, requires medical care longer than a few months, and results in large hospital and other bills, the stakes may be much higher. A workers’ comp attorney can ensure that the case is properly investigated and appropriately handled. He or she can secure an array of experts and personnel, including vocational experts and medical specialists, to build a potentially powerful case for you.

#8: Reducing Stress and Uncertainty

It can be stressful enough to deal with the aftermath of a work injury on its own, but navigating the process of filing a workers’ compensation claim on your own can add to that stress. A skilled workers’ compensation attorney can lift the weight of the stress from your shoulders by dealing with the legal side of things. They can answer your questions, let you know where your claim currently stands, and help you have the confidence of knowing someone is there to take care of things on your behalf.

#9: Preventing Retaliation and Ensuring Fair Treatment

Sometimes, injured workers may be retaliated against for filing an injury claim. For example, the employer may try to demote the worker, fire or fail to include the worker in certain tasks or job assignments. An attorney can protect your rights and make sure you are not retaliated against in an illegal manner and seek legal action against your employer if illegal actions were taken.

#10: Contingency Fee Arrangements

Many contingency fee workers’ compensation attorneys don’t charge you anything unless you win your case. It’s a non-traditional fee structure that can make seeking the help of a lawyer more affordable because you’re not spending any money upfront. Therefore, the primary focus can be on you and your legal counsel working to get the best possible outcome for your claim.

Need Legal Help? We Have a Raleigh Workers’ Comp Lawyer Ready to Assist

If you were injured on the job, a Raleigh workers’ comp lawyer can help. If you have any issues with your workers’ compensation claim, please contact our office to discuss the details of your claim. We represent injured workers on a contingency fee basis, which means we do not request payment unless we successfully handle your case.