Does an amputation injury require special procedures under Virginia workers’ compensation?
Posted by Michele Lewane | FAQ
An amputation is one of the most serious injuries at work that can affect you. Losing a limb is a life changing event and can cause long lasting disability and pain. If this has happened, you will likely want to file a workers’ compensation claim to get help for medical bills and other expenses. However, …
What are job re-training and vocational rehabilitation benefits?
Posted by Michele Lewane | FAQ
If an injured worker is under an award and is able to work in some capacity, but is not able to return to his or her pre-injury job, then the workers’ compensation insurance company may assign a vocational rehabilitation counselor to assist the injured worker in finding a job. It is usually done after permanent …
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What mistakes do I need to avoid or be aware of when handling my workers’ compensation claim?
Posted by Michele Lewane | FAQ
There are many mistakes that you should avoid making. The best way to avoid them all is to seek the advice of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. However, some of the most common include: Signing a general release. This means that you sign a release for the workers’ compensation carrier to get any medical records …
Should I talk to my physician about my work restrictions?
Posted by Michele Lewane | FAQ
Put briefly, you should always speak to your doctor about work restrictions, if it’s at all possible. You should inquire with your doctor about his or her opinion on your ability to return to work with restrictions, what those restrictions should be, what your functional capacity is for sustained labor, and anything else that might …
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I do not understand about returning to work either light duty or full duty and whether I have to look for other work.
Posted by Michele Lewane | FAQ
If your doctor releases you to full duty work with no restrictions then you are no longer entitled to any workers’ compensation wage loss benefits as any wage loss you have is no longer related to your work injury. However, you are still entitled to medical treatment through workers’ compensation. If your doctor releases you …
What if I cannot afford the gas money to get to physical therapy?
Posted by Michele Lewane | FAQ
An award for medical treatment allows an injured worker reimbursement for mileage to and from doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, lab work, diagnostic testing, and other medical appointments. However,you cannot be reimbursed for mileage to and from the pharmacy to get prescriptions filled as it is assumed that a pharmacy trip will be included in the mileage for …
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What does it mean that my Virginia work injury or work related disability has to have arisen from employment?
Posted by Michele Lewane | Uncategorized
Not all injuries that take place at work are covered. A Virginia work injury or work related disability must have arisen from employment. That means that some part of your employment must have caused the work injury. Some situations are pretty clear. For example, if you suffered an injury in your back due to lifting …
What is the truth about “lifetime” medical benefits?
Posted by Michele Lewane | Uncategorized
While you may have an award for “lifetime medical benefits,” this may not necessarily mean what it sounds like. The insurance carrier is only required to cover reasonable, necessary, and causally related medical treatment. Unfortunately, it is the injured worker’s burden to prove these things. Therefore, the insurance company can, and will, deny treatment when …
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I was on a business trip and got hurt in the hotel. Can I collect Virginia workers’ compensation?
Posted by Michele Lewane | Uncategorized
For the most part, yes, you can collect workers’ compensation if you were on a business trip and got hurt in the hotel. The law says that injuries that occur while traveling on a business trip are covered, with some exceptions. Slip and falls may occur in the hotel. You could get injured fixing the …
How Do You Report a Work Injury in Virginia?
Posted by Michele Lewane | Uncategorized
There are three ways to report your injury. First, you need to report your injury to your employer. Even if your injury was witnessed by other employees, including your direct supervisor, it is YOUR responsibility to immediately (as soon as you are able) contact your employer to advise them of your work injury and how …
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