Monday 24 August 2015

How can a Worker's Comp Attorney Help Me?



Too many people who suffer injuries or illness on the job believe that the advice and assistance of an attorney is wholly unnecessary in order to obtain workers' compensation benefits. Even after a denial of their claim, many injured workers try to navigate the complicated appeal process on their own or simply accept the denial and stop trying to get the benefits to which they are entitled under Delaware law.1

Consulting with an experienced workers' compensation attorney can help you in a number of ways throughout the process. The following are only some examples of the ways that a workers' comp lawyer can assist you:

Help you file your claim – Though most workers do not seek assistance from an attorney during the application stage, an attorney can assist you in ensuring that your application is completed in a thorough and accurate manner with supporting evidence to improve your chances of an initial approval. If you have a particularly complicated injury that will likely have long-lasting effects, an attorney can help present medical evidence, testimony from vocational or medical experts, and more at a hearing to determine the correct amount of compensation2 for you.

Representing you during the appeal process – If your claim is denied in full or in part, an attorney can help you appeal the decision and can represent you in a hearing. You will have to present specific evidence to demonstrate that the denial was wrongful and a lawyer will understand the types of evidence is necessary to maximize your chances at an approval on appeal.

Negotiate and advise on settlement offers
In many situations, a workers' comp insurer may offer a lump-sum settlement in lieu of continuing benefits. At times, accepting the settlement is a good idea while, for others, a settlement may only be a fraction of the full value of your case. Once you accept a settlement, you lose the right to ever again collect benefits for that particular injury, so you never want to accept a settlement offer without first consulting with an attorney. An attorney can evaluate the true value of your case and negotiate with the insurer to make sure you obtain the full value for your injury.

Anyone who has any questions or issues involving the workers' comp process or benefits should call an experienced Delaware workers' compensation lawyer at the law firm of Zavodnick, Zavodnick & Lasky, LLC at (302) 364-6047 today.