Can I pick my own doctor to treat me during my workers’ compensation case?
Posted by Michele Lewane | First Steps
Can I pick my own doctor to treat me during my workers’ compensation case? Watch This Video on YouTube.com Video Transcript People ask me if they have to use the workers comp doctor or can pick a different doctor to get treatment for their injuries. Unfortunately, the short answer is you must use the workers …
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Can I get pain and suffering benefits from a workers’ compensation case?
Posted by Michele Lewane | First Steps
You cannot get pain and suffering benefits from a workers’ compensation case? Watch This Video on YouTube.com Injured workers dealing with pain need to education themselves on the different types of pain in order to have meaningful conversations with their doctors.; sometimes getting the information that you need is all a matter of asking the right …
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Marijuana Can Affect Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
Posted by Michele Lewane | First Steps, Workers' Compensation Benefits
Marijuana can affect your workers compensation claim. Many Virginia employers require drug testing for their employees, especially after an injury on the job. Marijuana is one of those drugs that stays in the body for a prolonged period of time and can show up on a urinalysis long after use, even if the injured worker …
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Keeping Workers Compensation Claim Information Confidential
Posted by Michele Lewane | First Steps, Hiring A Lawyer
Keeping workers compensation claim information confidential is important to a lot of injured workers. When you call my office for help, my staff is going to be asking you a lot of questions about your workers compensation situation and your personal information – this is information that is vital for the attorney to be able …
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When Your Workers Compensation Claim Is Under Investigation
Posted by Michele Lewane | First Steps, Working With The Adjuster/Nurse Case Manager
Often times, especially at the beginning stages of a claim, the workers’ compensation claim is under investigation and the injured worker is waiting to hear from the insurance company as to whether or not their claim is approved or denied. This situation can be exasperating when the insurance adjuster does not give the injured worker …
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Workers Compensation Is Not A Lawsuit
Posted by Michele Lewane | First Steps, Workers' Compensation Benefits
Folks often have the misconception that if they file a workers compensation claim after they’ve had a work injury that they are somehow suing their employer. This is not the case. Workers compensation is not a lawsuit. It is similar to life insurance, health insurance, auto insurance, etc. I like to use the example of …
The 10 Biggest Mistakes Injured Workers Make After A Work Place Accident
Posted by Michele Lewane | First Steps, Hiring A Lawyer
So many injured workers call me months after a work place accident because they did not want to have to seek legal counsel, did not want to upset their employer, or some other reason. By that time, the likelihood of a mistake having been made in the handling their workers compensation claim is high. So, …
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Pro Se Injured Workers Are At Risk
Posted by Injured Workers Law Firm | First Steps, Hiring A Lawyer
What is a pro se injured worker? A pro se injured worker is an injured worker dealing with the workers compensation court process on their own without the assistance of an attorney. I read an article the other day that estimates that 40% or more of the injured workers in Virginia are not represented by …
What Is an Intake Paralegal and Why Do I Need to Speak With Her?
Posted by Injured Workers Law Firm | First Steps, Hiring A Lawyer
Sometimes folks get a little frustrated when they call an attorney’s office and can’t speak to the attorney right away, so I wanted to let you all in on the inner workings of my office and how my IWLF team operates! I have an Intake Paralegal, Sheena, who is specially trained to help folks who …
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Will I Have to Go to Court if I File a Workers Compensation Claim?
Posted by Injured Workers Law Firm | First Steps
You will likely have to go to a court hearing if your workers compensation claim is denied. If the injured worker and the workers compensation insurance company are not able to resolve the issues in the claim, then the matter can be scheduled for a hearing before the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission. The Deputy Commissioner …
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