A: For an automobile accident that took place before your work injury, the workers’ compensation carrier will want to know if you injured the same body parts before to verify that the work injury is responsible for your need for treatment. If the automobile accident took place after the work accident, then the workers’ compensation carrier wants to be sure that the automobile accident is not compensable in any way (such as took place on your way to a medical appointment) which means that they can place a lien on any money you get for that work accident. The workers’ compensation carrier will also want to be sure that the medical treatment you are currently receiving did not make your work injuries worse to the extent that the workers’ compensation carrier is no longer responsible for the medical treatment.
Most importantly, if the auto accident is the reason for your workers’ compensation claim, they will have a lien on your auto accident lawsuit, if you have one.
The Injured Workers Law Firm is a Richmond, Virginia based firm solely focused on serving clients with workers' compensation claims in Virginia. If you have questions about your benefits or if you would like more information on the Virginia workers’ compensation system, order our book, “The Ultimate Guide to Workers’ Compensation in Virginia” , or call our office today (804) 755-7755.