If you sustained an injury at work, you might be wondering if you should contact a lawyer.
The answer is usually yes.
If you have been injured on the job the first thing you should do is get the medical attention you need and inform your employer, so they can turn the claim over to their workers’ compensation insurance provider.
Most employers are required by law to provide workers’ compensation benefits to employees in the event of an injury suffered during their employment.
What does workers’ compensation cover?
While it doesn’t cover everything, work comp is put in place and required by most states to make sure employers will be able to pay the bills when their employees get hurt on the job.
Work comp cover things like:
- All medical bills
- Depending on which state, your employer, or their workers’ compensation provider, may be able to direct your treatment and which providers you see.
- Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) or Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
- Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) is regular weekly payments of approximately 2/3s of your average wages paid while you are recovering from your injuries. If your employer offers you work within any physical restrictions your physician gives you while recovering, you are required to perform this work (usually called “light” or “restricted” duty). Your pay for this light or restricted duty work will offset or replace any TPD you may be entitled to. If you refuse to perform light or restricted duty work, you may be denied TPD.
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD) is regular weekly payments of approximately 2/3s of your average wages paid while you are recovering from your injuries AND you are unable to return to any type of work including light or restricted duty work.
What other factors should be considered if you have an injury claim after getting hurt at work?
Work Comp Vs. Negligence
Importantly, you should understand the distinction between a workers’ compensation claim and a negligence claim.
In most states if you have been injured on the job, you’re only available claim against your employer or fellow employees. This is through workers’ compensation.
Even though workers’ compensation benefits are relatively limited, the tradeoff is that you don’t have to prove that anyone was at fault in causing your injury.
You simply must show that the injury happened while you were working. You are entitled to benefits even if your own negligence caused or contributed to the injury.
Negligence in the Workplace
Sometimes in addition to a valid workers’ compensation claim, there may be an available negligence claim against a third party.
For instance, if you were injured in a car accident while you were working, you may have a “work comp” claim because it happened while you were on the job.
You may also have a personal injury claim against the other driver if he or she was negligent in causing the accident. When two such claims coexist things begin to get even more complicated.
If you believe negligence was involved while you were hurt at work, it’s even more important to contact the lawyers at VanDerGinst Law.
Reporting of the Incident
Depending on the nature of the accident and the location, there may also be requirements that an employer promptly report to OSHA or other regulatory agencies.
If you suspect reporting is not being done or a proper investigation is not being conducted, a lawyer should be contacted right away.
Treatment and Returning to Work
In some states, you can select your own treatment providers for a work-related accident.
In other states, you may be referred by the workers’ comp carrier to treatment providers. However, even in those cases, you may sometimes be able to petition to change providers.
Sometimes injuries may lend themselves to an assignment of light or restricted duty which can lead to a lot of questions and issues where VanDerGinst Law can help.
If you have a permanent disability, you may be entitled to additional payment for your injuries.
Workers Compensation can be complicated, employers often don’t understand their obligations to you, and you probably have questions about your rights. You have the right to consult and hire a lawyer to advise you and handle your case.
The Difference in Work Comp Laws Vary by State
Although every state has some form of workers compensation, the laws in each state are very different.
Sometimes if you live in one state, work in another, or are assigned to work in a third state, it may be difficult to know what state’s laws cover you after you get hurt at work.
Often, employers don’t understand the law or procedure of workers compensation very well and you may not be sure if you are getting the benefits and rights you deserve.
In cases where the parties cannot agree, the case can be filed with the state’s Industrial Commission or a similar agency.
This consists of Administrative Law Judges or panels of arbitrators with procedural rules to reach a decision on the value of your case.
In these cases, it’s important to have an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer handling your case.
Having an experienced lawyer, like those at VanDerGinst Law, on your side to help handle your case is important and can bring you peace of mind.
For more information about your rights under the Illinois and Iowa workers compensation laws, visit Iowa Workforce Development and Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer at VanDerGinst Law Today
If you’ve been hurt at work, VanDerGinst Law would be honored to help you with a workers’ compensation claim.
The consultation is free and there is never a fee unless we win.
If you suffered an injury in Iowa or Illinois, contact VanDerGinst Law, P.C. at 800-797-5391 or send us an online message.
The law is tough and being injured is tougher. We’ll make it easier for you.
Work Injury Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, yes. Most employers are required by law to give their employees workers’ compensation benefits if they were hurt while at the workplace.
A workers’ compensation lawyer at VanDerGinst Law will gather all necessary information to help you develop a case that can get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation of your case.
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The information contained on this website is presented by VanDerGinst Law P.C. It is not intended nor should it be construed as professional legal advice. The information is general in nature about the Firm, the scope of services we offer, and our community outreach, it is not legal advice. Please contact us by phone, email, mail, or via this website for inquiries. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please contact a personal injury attorney for a consultation regarding your situation. This website is not intended to solicit clients outside the State of Iowa and/or the State of Illinois.