Most Common Reasons for Worker Deaths in VA
Posted by Michele Lewane | News
How and Why So Many Employees Die on the Job in Virginia No one should have to die because of their job. Unfortunately, workplace fatalities are a fact of life in Virginia. There are entirely too many employee deaths in our state, and most of them are the result of avoidable error or simple negligence. …
Continue reading "Most Common Reasons for Worker Deaths in VA"
I Don’t Like My Workers’ Compensation Doctor. Can I See Someone Else?
Posted by Michele Lewane | Working With A Doctor
I often hear questions from injured workers dealing with the Virginia Workers Compensation system ask questions like “I don’t like my workers’ compensation doctor. Can I see someone else under my regular health insurance instead?” Let me warn you folks, this is a slippery slope! I know, all too well, the stress and inconvenience a …
Continue reading "I Don’t Like My Workers’ Compensation Doctor. Can I See Someone Else?"
What Is a Functional Capacity Exam?
Posted by Lorraine D'Angelo | Working With A Doctor
A Functional Capacity Exam (or “FCE”) is an exam that is used to determine an injured workers’ physical abilities and permanent work restrictions. The FCE is typically administered by a physical therapist and will consist of several smaller tests (example: they may ask you to bend over and touch your toes, climb a ladder, pick …
What If I Don’t Want to Go to a Hearing?
Posted by Lorraine D'Angelo | Claim Denied - Now What?
Much of the time, litigation may seem inevitable. However, there is an alternative to litigation in certain situations, if both parties agree. This alternative is mediation. There are two types of mediation that can happen during the course of your workers’ compensation case: Issue Mediation and Full and Final Mediation. What Is Issue Mediation? Issue …
Virginia Workers Compensation Claims – Fiction vs. Fact
Posted by Michele Lewane | First Steps, Workers' Compensation Benefits
I wanted to do just a quick little Virginia workers compensation claims fiction vs. fact for folks as a quick reminder about some of the misconceptions and flawed information that injured workers can sometimes get about dealing with the workers compensation claim process. I’m debunking some of the fiction surrounding Virginia work injury claims! Myths …
Continue reading "Virginia Workers Compensation Claims – Fiction vs. Fact"
Do You Have a Self-Administered Medicare Set-Aside?
Posted by Injured Workers Law Firm | Settlement
If you are an injured worker who: Was injured in Virginia and has an open Virginia Workers Compensation Claim Is on Medicare, AND you have filed for Social Security (or are otherwise eligible for Medicare benefits) When you settle your Virginia workers compensation claim, you and the insurance company have to get approval from Medicare. This …
Continue reading "Do You Have a Self-Administered Medicare Set-Aside?"
How to Calculate Your Virginia Workers Compensation Settlement
Posted by Michele Lewane | Settlement
When you are considering accepting a settlement for your Virginia Workers Compensation Claim, you should really talk to a lawyer. Settlement is a complicated process and there is no magic number or magic formula for calculating the settlement value of your claim. I’ve compiled a list below to give you an idea of the things …
Continue reading "How to Calculate Your Virginia Workers Compensation Settlement"
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 …
Continue reading "How to Survive a Workers Compensation Deposition"
I’ve Exhausted my 500 Weeks of Lost Wages– Now What?
Posted by Michele Lewane | Workers' Compensation Benefits
If you have been reading through my website you probably already know that Temporary Total Disability benefits (TTD) in Virginia will only last for a period of 500 weeks (or about 9.5 years). In most cases, this 500 week window is sufficient time for injured workers to recover from their injuries and return to some …
Continue reading "I’ve Exhausted my 500 Weeks of Lost Wages– Now What?"
Intervening Injuries Can Be Costly!
Posted by Michele Lewane | Claim Denied - Now What?, Workers' Compensation Benefits
What Is an “Intervening Injury”? For Virginia Workers Compensation purposes, an intervening injury could be anything that happened after your work injury. For example, if you have a back injury at work that workers’ compensation is covering and then you have a car accident, which event is causing the back pain – the work …