How to Survive a Workers Compensation Deposition
Posted by Lorraine D'Angelo | Settlement
So, your deposition has been scheduled and you are scared to death. To make you a bit more comfortable, let me give you some information about depositions. First, let me assure you that you do need to go. If you do not go to the deposition the first time it is schedule, the Commission will …
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Virginia Workers’ Compensation is a Slow Process
Posted by Michele Lewane | Claim Accepted - Now What?, Claim Denied - Now What?, Settlement, Workers' Compensation Benefits
Virginia workers’ compensation can be a painfully slow process. I’m not trying to frighten anyone but, as an injured worker, you need to know what to expect when dealing with this process. Also, there are several processes within the process – a claim has to be formally approved or denied before a hearing can be …
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Why Accept A Virginia Workers’ Compensation Settlement?
Posted by Michele Lewane | Settlement
When you are faced with a life changing work injury, the decision to accept a workers’ compensation settlement can be a complicated one. There are pro’s and con’s on either side of the decision so I’ve put together the list below in order to educate injured workers of the benefits of accepting a workers’ compensation …
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Why A Virginia Workers’ Compensation Settlement Must be Approved by the Commission
Posted by Michele Lewane | Settlement
When the workers’ compensation insurance company and the injured worker (and possibly their attorneys) reach an agreement for a Virginia workers’ compensation settlement, the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission will oversee the settlement and must approve it for it to become final. Virginia Code Section 65.2-701 requires that ALL Virginia workers compensation settlements be filed with …
Can I Accept Settlement for my Virginia Workers’ Compensation Claim and Keep Lifetime Medical Benefits?
Posted by Michele Lewane | Settlement
We get this question regularly from injured workers. Folks want to know “Can I settle my workers’ compensation claim and also keep my lifetime medical benefits?” People are concerned (obviously for valid reasons) that their medical condition from their injuries may get worse in the future and they want to have a provision in their …
4 Reasons to Go to Mediation for Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
Posted by Michele Lewane | Settlement
In Virginia, workers’ compensation disputes can be resolved in a few different ways. Injured workers can take a settlement, come to an agreement with the insurance company (an Award Order or Stipulated Order), go to a hearing before a Deputy Commissioner, or go to mediation to resolve the matter. Here are 4 reasons why mediation …
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What is Mediation?
Posted by Michele Lewane | Settlement
You have been asked to go to mediation. What does that mean? Mediation is a voluntary meeting in which the parties come together with a mediator to try to work out the case amicably without going to a hearing and is much less formal than a hearing and testimony is not needed. It is voluntary, …
Is This Workers’ Compensation Settlement Offer Fair?
Posted by Michele Lewane | Settlement
This is a question I get frequently. Folks usually call me after they have been offered a workers’ compensation settlement by the insurance carrier and they want to know if the settlement offer is fair. The answer is not as black and white as you might think. A workers’ compensation settlement is based on several different …
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The 4 Biggest Reasons People Accept a Workers’ Compensation Settlement
Posted by Michele Lewane | Settlement
Every injured worker I deal with has their own individual set of circumstances. A lot of folks want to know why some injured workers choose to accept a workers’ compensation settlement instead of keeping their lifetime medical benefits award. There are several reasons injured workers choose to settle their workers’ compensation claim but here I have …
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The Virginia Life Expectancy Table
Posted by Injured Workers Law Firm | Settlement, Workers' Compensation Benefits
The Virginia Workers Compensation Commission uses the Life Expectancy Table for the estimation of future medical benefits. If you are familiar with my blog, you know that settlement values are based, in part, on the value of future medical needs. Virginia Code Section 8.01-419 is where you will find the tables for life expectancy. Right now, men …