What Are Indemnity Benefits?
Posted by Michele Lewane | Workers' Compensation Benefits
You may hear various people (including attorneys) throw around the phrase ‘indemnity benefits’ in your worker’s compensation case. But what are indemnity benefits? Simply put, they are the lost wages that you expect to be paid while you are earning less than you were earning before your work injury, due to your work injury. These …
What Does It Mean When an Employer is Self-Insured?
Posted by Michele Lewane | FAQ
Most often, employers carry workers’ compensation coverage through a third party insurance carrier and pay only premiums to ensure that, in the event that one of their employees gets hurt on the job, another entity is responsible for paying that employee’s medical bills and lost wages. Some employers do choose to self-insure, however, and are …
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Will My Workers Compensation Insurance Company Spy on Me?
Posted by Michele Lewane | FAQ
The short answer is, yes. This is a common practice. Private Investigators and What They Do Sometimes, the insurance company will send a private investigator to monitor you and your activity level, as well as what activities you are taking part in during your free time. Your worker’s compensation insurance company relies on the answers …
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Understanding Virginia Lost Wage Benefits for a Work Injury Claim
Posted by Michele Lewane | Workers' Compensation Benefits
In Virginia, workers compensation benefits are paid based on your Average Weekly Wage (or AWW). This is how the workers comp weekly rate of pay is determined. Calculating Your Average Weekly Wages To calculate your average weekly wage, you first need to take ALL of the wages you earned at your job from the 52 …
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Independent Medical Exam For Workers Compensation
Posted by Michele Lewane | Working With A Doctor
Many of our clients want to know why they have to go to an Independent Medical Exam, otherwise known as an IME. The short answer is because the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act requires you to do so. If you do not attend the IME, the Workers’ Compensation Carrier can refuse to pay for any additional …
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Who Do I Need to Tell About My Injury?
Posted by Lorraine D'Angelo | First Steps
So, you have been hurt at work. Who do you need to tell? There are three very important people or entities that you have to tell about your injury. Your Supervisor The first thing person you want to tell is a supervisor where you work, and do this as soon as possible. (Your own supervisor …
FILE A CLAIM WITH VIRGINIA WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COMMISSION?
Posted by Michele Lewane | Workers' Compensation Benefits
Q: Should I File a Claim with the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission If My Employer’s Insurance Is Paying for My Doctor? A: Listen up folks! There is a huge difference between filing a workers’ compensation claim with the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission and your employer’s insurance company. Many injured workers do not realize this and …
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Permanent Partial Disability Benefits Are Not a Workers’ Compensation Settlement
Posted by Michele Lewane | Workers' Compensation Benefits
Many injured workers call me and ask about settlements. However, many of them are confusing the term settlement with their permanent partial disability benefits. How Permanent Partial Disability Is Determined Permanent partial disability benefits are determined by a formula (established by the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission) based on an injured worker’s average weekly wage, the …
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Why the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Company Wants a Recorded Statement
Posted by Michele Lewane | Injured Workers Law Firm, Uncategorized
What should I do when the workers’ compensation insurance company wants me to give a written or recorded statement? After a Virginia work accident (especially accidents involving serious injuries or death) you can expect the workers’ compensation insurance company to be calling you so they can take a “statement“. There is a reason they are …
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When Can I Get a Second Opinion?
Posted by Michele Lewane | Injured Workers Law Firm, Uncategorized
When you have had a work injury in Virginia and are dealing with the Virginia Workers Compensation system, there are often times when a medical opinion will be needed from a doctor other than the injured worker’s treating physician. There any many reasons why this would be. However, not all second opinions are required to …