The Top Five Reasons Your Workers Compensation Claim was Denied & How to Appeal
Posted by Michele Lewane | Claim Denied - Now What?, First Steps
Workers’ compensation insurance companies make the initial determination as to whether your work injury claim is approved or denied. The insurance companies like to deny work injury claims all the time – sometimes for a valid reason but most of the time because the insurance companies are hoping injured workers will just take their word …
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What Is a 20 Day Order and why Did I Get it?
Posted by Injured Workers Law Firm | First Steps, Workers' Compensation Benefits
Once you have filed your Claim Form with the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission, you will get a letter from the Commission entitled 20 Day Order in the top left hand corner. I get calls from people wanting to know what this letter is all about. This is a standard computer generated letter. Once you file your claim …
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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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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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You CAN Get Workers’ Compensation Benefits Even if an Adjuster Says you Can’t!
Posted by Michele Lewane | Claim Denied - Now What?, First Steps, Hiring A Lawyer, Workers' Compensation Benefits
We receive so many calls from injured workers who are frustrated with the insurance adjuster on their case who has told them that they are not covered or their claim was denied. I can’t say it enough – FILE YOUR CLAIM FORM WITH THE VIRGINIA WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COMMISSION! This is how you dispute the insurance company’s denial …
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Is Bursitis Covered by Virginia Workers’ Compensation Insurance?
Posted by Michele Lewane | Claim Denied - Now What?, Types of Injuries and Illnesses
I get a lot of phone calls about issues with bursitis. While a lot of the injured workers I talk to may not understand their diagnosis, they are even more confused when they find out that, more often than not, Bursitis is not an injury that is covered by Virginia workers’ compensation insurance. Bursitis Injury …
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17 Things Injured Workers Law Firm Will Do to Assist in Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
Posted by Michele Lewane | Hiring A Lawyer, Injured Workers Law Firm, Settlement
Once a client has retained us, they want to know “What’s next?” Well, the answer to that question is a long one. Here is a break down of what goes on in my office once you sign our Retainer Agreement and formally hire Injured Workers Law Firm to help you with your workers’ compensation claim. …
Do I Need a Lawyer to File a Workers Compensation Appeal?
Posted by Michele Lewane | Claim Denied - Now What?, Hiring A Lawyer
If only I had a penny for every time I heard this question! First of all, let’s clarify what we mean when we are talking about an appeal. If you have been to a hearing at the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission and have been denied benefits by Opinion of the Commission and want to file an appeal …
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Am I an Employee or an Independent Contractor?
Posted by Michele Lewane | First Steps, Workers' Compensation Benefits
I get calls from people who have been injured on the job who are confused about their situation because, after their injury, their employers tell them that they are not covered by workers’ compensation insurance because they are considered to be an independent contractor. Sadly, many of them are caught off guard by this statement …
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What to Expect at a Hearing for a Virginia Workers’ Compensation Claim
Posted by Michele Lewane | Claim Denied - Now What?, Hiring A Lawyer
If your workers’ compensation claim, or some portion of your claim, has been denied by the workers’ compensation insurance carrier, you will likely be going to a hearing before a workers’ compensation Deputy Commissioner at the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission. Too often, injured workers call my office in a panic because they are going to …
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