How to Fill Out a Virginia Workers Compensation Claims Form
Posted by Michele Lewane | Educational Videos, First Steps
Update: In January of 2019 the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission released an updated Claims Form. This article has been updated to reflect those changes. Download the Claim Form by clicking here. When injured in an accident at work, you want to receive the proper compensation benefits based on your injuries, lost wages, and needed medical …
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Having Trouble With Your Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Posted by Michele Lewane | Claim Denied - Now What?, First Steps, Hiring A Lawyer
If your claim for Virginia workers’ compensation benefits has been denied by the insurance carrier need to understand what steps to take in order to get medical treatment for your work injuries and to get the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission (VWC) involved in your case so you can have a hearing if necessary. This process …
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Reporting Your Work Injury Correctly
Posted by Michele Lewane | First Steps
Many injured workers that I talk to have to perform repetitive tasks at work. The current workers’ compensation laws in Virginia do NOT cover work injuries that are caused by repetitive motion (with the exception of Carpel Tunnel Syndrome), so many work injuries are denied. To have a work injury by accident, in most situations, …
What Are the Time Limits for Making a Virginia Workers Compensation Claim?
Posted by Michele Lewane | Educational Videos, First Steps
Video Transcript There are so many deadlines and exceptions in a workers comp claim that it is really hard to explain Virginia workers compensation time limits in a general way for this video. The two most important deadlines are that you must notify your employer within 30 days of your injury and that you need to …
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Why the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Company Wants a Recorded Statement
Posted by Michele Lewane | First Steps
What should I do when the workers’ compensation insurance company wants me to give a written or recorded statement? After an 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 in such …
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When Your Workers Compensation Claim Is Under Investigation
Posted by Michele Lewane | First Steps, Working With The Adjuster/Nurse Case Manager
Often times, especially at the beginning stages of a claim, the workers’ compensation claim is under investigation and the injured worker is waiting to hear from the insurance company as to whether or not their claim is approved or denied. This situation can be exasperating when the insurance adjuster does not give the injured worker …
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Will I Have to Go to Court if I File a Workers Compensation Claim?
Posted by Injured Workers Law Firm | First Steps
You will likely have to go to a court hearing if your workers compensation claim is denied. If the injured worker and the workers compensation insurance company are not able to resolve the issues in the claim, then the matter can be scheduled for a hearing before the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission. The Deputy Commissioner …
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Never Take Someone’s Word That Your Injury Will be Covered!
Posted by Injured Workers Law Firm | Claim Accepted - Now What?, Claim Denied - Now What?, First Steps, Workers' Compensation Benefits
I always get concerned when injured workers tell me that their employer (or the insurance carrier) has made them all these promises that they will be taken care of after a work injury. In fact, I had an injured worker call me today who had an injury several years ago. For conversation sake, we will …
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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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