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At Injured Workers’ Law Firm, our Richmond workers’ compensation lawyers are experienced, reliable, and results-focused advocates for injured employees and their families. With our law firm’s skills, you can turn a stressful situation into something that can be easily managed. If you or a person you care about was seriously injured while on the job, it is imperative that you have professional representation. To arrange your completely confidential, no-obligation consultation with a Richmond workers’ compensation attorney, please call us at (804) 755-7755 or contact us online.
An Overview of the Workers’ Compensation Laws in the Commonwealth of Virginia
Were you hurt on the job while working in Richmond? It is crucial that you know your rights and responsibilities under the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act. The law provides key legal protections to injured workers.
Here are some of the most vital things to understand about the workers’ compensation laws, workers’ compensation benefits and the workers’ compensation claims system in Virginia:
- You Must Notify Your Employer of Your Injuries/Illness: To start, injured workers in Richmond have a duty to notify their employer that an accident occurred. This can be done by reporting the incident to your supervisor, to the human resources (HR) department, or to the company in writing. Be proactive: Report your work-related accident right away. If you fail to notify your employer that you were hurt on the job within 30 days, it could impair your ability to get workers’ compensation benefits.
- You Should Seek Prompt Medical Treatment (And Follow Up Care): All serious work injuries should be evaluated by a qualified physician. You should always get professional medical care after a work-related accident. It is your right to see a doctor. Further, it is crucial that injured workers get the follow up care that they need. If you fail to see a doctor after suffering an injury at work, you may be deemed ineligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
- Be Prepared to File for Workers’ Compensation Benefits: You need to file for workers’ compensation benefits. Generally speaking, you can obtain the claims form directly from your employer. If you have any difficulty getting or completing the required paperwork, our experienced Richmond workers’ compensation lawyer have the experience with helping injured workers. In Virginia, workers’ compensation claims are subject to a two-year statutory deadline. If you do not file for benefits before the statute of limitations expires, you will likely lose out on your ability to recover benefits at all.
- Injured Workers are Covered By No-Fault Insurance: A key thing to understand about workers’ compensation coverage is that it is no-fault insurance. You have the right to apply for and receive workers’ compensation benefits in Virginia regardless of whether or not your employer bears any responsibility for causing your accident. You are not required to prove negligence to qualify for workers’ compensation benefits in Virginia. Fault is not a determining factor in whether or not you qualify for workers’ compensation. Insurance can help with medical bills and other medical treatment related to your work related injury.
- You Can Claim a Range of Medical and Time Loss Benefits: Through a no-fault workers’ compensation claim, injured employees in Richmond can obtain the benefits that they need to aid with their recovery. As a starting point, workers’ compensation insurance in Virginia covers the medical treatment that is reasonably necessary and reasonably related to the work injury. Injured workers in Richmond are also entitled to time loss compensation for the period that they have to take off from work to recover from their workplace injury. For more serious injuries, additional benefits may be available, such as permanent partial disability benefits or a total disability pension. If you sustained a long-term disability or permanent impairment due to a work injury, you need an experienced Richmond workers’ compensation attorney.
- A Third Party Liability Claim Can Be Filed Against Non-Employers: Virginia law dictates that a workers’ compensation claim is typically the sole legal remedy that an injured employee in Richmond has against their own company or organization. Put another way, an injured worker cannot file a personal injury lawsuit against their own employer. However, an injured worker can file a fault-based personal injury claim directly against any party other than their employer. These are called third party liability cases. A person who was hurt on the job can file both a workers’ compensation claim and a third party liability claim. Additional financial recovery may be available through a third party liability lawsuit, including for pain and suffering and other types of non-economic damages.
- A Workers’ Compensation Denial Can Be Appealed: Workers’ compensation provides a much needed source of financial relief and protection to people who were hurt on the job in Richmond. Unfortunately, not every injured worker has an easy time getting the full and proper workers’ compensation benefits that they are entitled to under Virginia law. Do not give up if your claim is delayed or rejected. You have the ability to appeal. Our Richmond, VA workers’ compensation lawyers are standing by, ready to help you pursue full and fair benefits through an appeal.
Every workplace injury claim is different. The specific facts and circumstances always matter. Please feel free to request your copy of our free ebook: The Ultimate Guide to Workers’ Compensation in Virginia. If you have any specific questions or concerns about your rights or options with a workplace injury, our Richmond workers’ compensation attorneys are more than ready to help.
We Handle All Types of Work Injury Cases in Richmond, Virginia
We have a deep understanding of the workers’ compensation law, including the claims process and regulations that affect your rights and interests.
The Injured Workers’ Law Firm helps employees and their families with all types of workers’ compensation matters.
Regardless of the severity of your injury or the specific legal issue that you are dealing with, we are here to find the solution that works best for your case. Along with other types of work injuries, our Richmond workers’ compensation attorneys have the professional skills and legal experience to assist clients with:
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) ;
- Neck and back injuries:
- Hand and arm injuries;
- Hip and knee injuries;
- Shoulder injuries;
- Paraplegia and quadriplegia injury;
- Work-related depression;
- Denied benefits;
- Medical treatment;
- Time loss compensation;
- Loss of earning power;
- Permanent partial disability;
- Total disability pensions;
- Workers’ compensation structured settlements;
- Vocational retraining;
- First responder injuries: and
- Work-related motor vehicle accidents.
How Our Richmond Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Protect the Rights of Injured Employees
Our firm was founded by Michele Lewane, a Richmond workers’ compensation lawyer who has passionately defended the rights of injured workers in the Commonwealth for more than 30 years. Richmond workers’ compensation attorneys Christian Kline and Louis D. Snesil are also devoted advocates for people who were injured on the job. We always take a proactive approach to workers’ compensation representation. Injured workers deserve top quality client service. When you reach out to our Richmond office, you will have a chance to consult with a Richmond workers’ compensation attorney who can:
- Hear your story, explain the law, and answer questions about workers’ compensation Virginia;
- Thoroughly investigate the matter, ensuring that you have the evidence you need;
- Handle all of the workers’ compensation claims paperwork; and
- Develop a comprehensive legal strategy to protect your rights and maximize your benefits.
Contact Our Richmond Workers’ Compensation Lawyers for a Consultation
At Injured Workers’ Law Firm, our Richmond workers’ compensation attorneys are devoted to personalized services. If you or a person close to you suffered harm on the job, we are ready to help you navigate the claims process so that you can secure the maximum benefits. Call us at (804) 755-7755 or use our contact form on our website to arrange your completely confidential consultation. We work with injured employees in Richmond and throughout all of Central Virginia.