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 …
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Virginia Workers’ Compensation is a Slow Process
Posted by Michele Lewane | Claim Accepted - Now What?, Claim Denied - Now What?, Settlement, Workers' Compensation Benefits
Virginia workers’ compensation can be a painfully slow process. I’m not trying to frighten anyone but, as an injured worker, you need to know what to expect when dealing with this process. Also, there are several processes within the process – a claim has to be formally approved or denied before a hearing can be …
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Identifying the People and Agencies in a Virginia Workers’ Compensation Claim
Posted by Michele Lewane | FAQ, First Steps
If you have been injured on the job and are pursuing workers’ compensation benefits, you are going to be coming into contact with a lot of people who are involved in the process. It can get confusing when you are dealing with all these different folks and, really, all you want to do is just …
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Workers Compensation Is Not A Lawsuit
Posted by Michele Lewane | First Steps, Workers' Compensation Benefits
Folks often have the misconception that if they file a workers compensation claim after they’ve had a work injury that they are somehow suing their employer. This is not the case. Workers compensation is not a lawsuit. It is similar to life insurance, health insurance, auto insurance, etc. I like to use the example of …
Beware of Phony Time Limits
Posted by Injured Workers Law Firm | Settlement, Workers' Compensation Benefits
“Help, my adjuster called and offered me a settlement and she said I have to respond to her by tomorrow or she’ll close my case!” I get calls like this from injured workers all the time. The injured worker is panicked because they don’t know if it is a fair settlement offer (most of the …
The Great Compromise – The Idea Behind the Workers Compensation System
Posted by Injured Workers Law Firm | Workers' Compensation Benefits
The workers compensation system is often referred to as “the great compromise” . The compromise is that workers give up their rights to claim damages in a civil court (negligence and/or pain and suffering), and employers/insurance companies agree to pay benefits to workers for injuries occurring during the course and scope of their employment on a …
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New Fines for Employers Who Don’t Have Workers’ Compensation Insurance Coverage
Posted by Injured Workers Law Firm | Injured Workers Law Firm, Workers' Compensation Benefits
I’m pleased to announce that the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission has finally made some updates to their rules and guidelines when it comes to uninsured employers. The new fees and regulations read: “The law change amends section 65.2-805 of the Workers’ Compensation Act which addresses the civil penalty for employer failure to insure. Such employer …
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I Don’t Like My Workers Compensation Doctor. Can I See Someone Else Under My Regular Health Insurance Instead?
Posted by Michele Lewane | First Steps, Workers' Compensation Benefits, Working With A Doctor
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 work injury can put on a person. Then, it is oftentimes compounded by the fact that the …
2013 California Workers’ Compensation Fraud – Not Awesome at all!
Posted by Michele Lewane | News
Awesome Products, a company located in California, is a company that manufactures and distributes household and commercial cleaning products all over the U.S.A. A worker was injured at this company and filed a claim to receive workers’ compensation benefits. When the State of California got involved and did some digging, it found that the president …
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Why Am I Being Ignored By My Claims Adjuster?
Posted by Michele Lewane | Claim Accepted - Now What?, Claim Denied - Now What?, First Steps, Workers' Compensation Benefits, Working With The Adjuster/Nurse Case Manager
I get so many calls from injured workers who say the workers’ compensation insurance claims adjuster or their “case manager” will not return their calls. Worse yet, many of them tell me that when they do finally get to speak with someone, they are not treated very kindly. It is very sad but if you …
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