Should I Hire a Lawyer to Settle My Virginia Workers Compensation Claim?
Posted by Michele Lewane | Uncategorized
Simply put, injured workers who hire a lawyer to negotiate and finalize their settlement for them will generally yield more money in their pocket, even after paying an attorney fee! Settlement can range from rather simple to extremely complex. The more complex the situation, the better off you would be by having a lawyer guide …
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I Settled My Virginia Workers Compensation Case! Now What?
Posted by Michele Lewane | Uncategorized
When injured workers settle their Virginia Workers’ Compensation case, they are sometimes frustrated to find out that there are some waiting periods involved. I always make it my policy to make sure my clients know what to expect with settlement and the time frames that affect when they will receive their settlement check. However, I …
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How to Protect Yourself After a Virginia Work Injury PART 2
Posted by Michele Lewane | Uncategorized
Now you are ready to complete the “Request for Benefits” section and formally request that your injuries and your benefits be recognized by the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission and protected by way of an Award Order. This section also states “I need assistance obtaining the following benefits. If the benefits are denied, this form will …
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Understanding Workers Compensation Insurance
Posted by Michele Lewane | Uncategorized
What Is Workers Compensation Insurance? Workers’ compensation insurance is an insurance policy that represents a compromise between business owners and their employees. In exchange for medical coverage and wage replacement, employees essentially give up their right to sue employers for workplace injuries and diseases. Workers’ Compensation Benefits are just that – an insurance claim – …
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Injured Workers Suffering from Chronic Pain may be recommended for a Spinal Cord Stimulator
Posted by Michele Lewane | Uncategorized
In cases of serious injuries, injured workers can be left with the debilitating symptoms of chronic pain. In cases where non-surgical treatment or actual surgery has failed to relieve the pain, your workers’ compensation doctor may recommend a Spinal Cord Stimulator. What is Chronic Pain? Your nerves and brain are constantly communicating with each other. …
Why is Sedgwick Calling Me?
Posted by Michele Lewane | Uncategorized
Often times when you experience an injury at work, you will be getting a call from your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier or “TPA”. Sedgwick CMS is one of the largest “TPA’s” in the world and is involved in thousands of work injury claims every year. Companies like Sedgwick CMS and Claims Management Inc. are …
What happens when the doctor says I am at maximum medical improvement?
Posted by Michele Lewane | Uncategorized
Once you reach Maximum medical improvement ,your doctor will likely recommend a FCE (Functional Capacity Evaluation) to establish permanent restrictions. Sometimes, the permanent restrictions can mean a change in employment status. Some employers will be willing to accommodate temporary restrictions on a short-term basis. However, the employer may not be equally willing to find a permanent light duty position …
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If I suffer from a severe chronic illness that my doctor believes is related to the work I do in Virginia, should I consider workers’ compensation?
Posted by Michele Lewane | FAQ, Uncategorized
The likelihood of recovery under Virginia’s workers’ compensation laws for a chronic illness will depend on the type of illness and whether the illness was directly caused by the work you perform. Even if your doctor attributes a chronic illness to your work, it may not be enough to be classified as an occupational disease …
If I had/have a pre-existing injury will it be difficult to prove my workers’ compensation claim or get workers’ compensation benefits?
Posted by Michele Lewane | FAQ, Uncategorized
If you suffered an aggravation to a pre-existing condition, then the aggravation should be covered by the workers’ compensation insurance carrier. However, it mayl be more difficult to get workers compensation benefits as the workers’ compensation carrier will probably try to argue that the problems you are having are related to the pre-existing condition and …
What if I can never return to work after my injury? Can I get workers’ compensation wage benefits for life?
Posted by Michele Lewane | Uncategorized
Usually, and in most cases, no. You will be limited to 500 weeks of wage compensation. However, there are some exceptions. If you have been severely injured on the job and are unable to return to work, you may qualify for permanent disability payments through workers’ compensation insurance. Proving permanent disability can be difficult and …