Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) benefits are NOT automatic!
Posted by Injured Workers Law Firm | Workers' Compensation Benefits, Working With The Adjuster/Nurse Case Manager
Temporary Partial Disability benefits, or TPD, are wages paid to an injured worker when they are working under light duty restrictions from their doctor and earning less than their pre-injury average weekly wage. However, these benefits are not automatic (unless there is an award order). The injured worker has to send their check stubs in …
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Psychological Injuries Are Not Covered Unless you Have a PHYSICAL Injury First!
Posted by Michele Lewane | First Steps, Types Of Accidents, Types of Injuries and Illnesses
There seems to me a misconception out there among some workers that they can get workers’ compensation benefits for things like stress, depression, or anxiety. The truth is that, in Virginia, workers’ compensation benefits are only awarded for psychological injuries if the injured worker first has a PHYSICAL injury. For example, the State of Virginia …
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Workers’ Compensation Terms – Part 5 – Other Lingo
Posted by Michele Lewane | Claim Accepted - Now What?, Claim Denied - Now What?, First Steps, Non-Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Several terms that are not necessarily workers’ compensation terms can also be thrown in the mix when you are injured at work. I have provided these because they are terms a lot of my clients have come across through the course of their workers’ compensation case. Collecting or even applying for many of these benefits …
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NEVER EVER Refuse Medical Treatment!
Posted by Michele Lewane | First Steps, Workers' Compensation Benefits, Working With A Doctor
Main takeaways: Never say “no” Buy yourself some time If medical benefits are stopped, so are lost wage benefits Explore your legal options – Consult a Virginia Workers Compensation Lawyer! Move with caution Let’s face it. Sometimes, medical treatment can be scary. Injections and surgeries all come with risks and I can definitely understand someone …
What is Your Average Weekly Wage?
Posted by Michele Lewane | Returning To Work, Workers' Compensation Benefits
People who get injured at work and are receiving workers’ compensation benefits are paid based on their pre-injury gross (pre-tax) average weekly wage (AWW). This is the legal term for the average gross wages earned 52 weeks (1 year prior) to the injury. So, if you were injured on April 30, 2013, your pre-injury gross …
Different Levels of the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Hearings & Appeals Process
Posted by Michele Lewane | Claim Accepted - Now What?, Claim Denied - Now What?, First Steps, Workers' Compensation Benefits
The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission is divided into 4 divisions that have different functions. Read on to learn how this process works. Deputy Commissioner – (Division 1) If any part of your claim has been contested (for example, if the insurance carrier refuses to cover your medical care or pay your lost wages) a hearing …
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Your Rights After an Injury at Work
Posted by Michele Lewane | First Steps
Everyone asks me, “What are my rights?” I typically get this question at least once a week. There are some rights of injured workers that are simple, easy things to understand (like the right to hire an attorney). However, I really don’t like this question because while we all have rights, everyone’s situation is different. I …
Your Mailing Address Can Affect Your Workers’ Compensation Claim!
Posted by Michele Lewane | Claim Accepted - Now What?, First Steps
Now-a-days, many people opt for using a P.O. Box to receive their mail. Also, you may be moving around a lot and have your mail sent to a family member’s home. Sounds harmless, right? WRONG! For those of you collecting a lost wage check from the workers’ compensation insurance carrier, having your check mailed to a …
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