Suffering a work injury is not easy. In the blink of an eye, you could face an uncertain future and a long road to recovery. The workers’ compensation system in Louisiana protects injured workers after an accident. These benefits can help pay for medical expenses, as well as a portion of your lost wages. Navigating the workers’ compensation process is not always straightforward. That is why many injured workers benefit greatly from hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer. You may wonder, “Do I need a lawyer for a workers’ comp claim?” At Mitchell & Associates, APLC, we can help you determine if your case may benefit from hiring an attorney.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Workers’ Comp Claim?
Any time you have a dispute with the insurance company, you may benefit from hiring a lawyer. Insurance companies have large legal teams on their side. That is why you need a law firm on your side that will fight for your rights to workers’ comp benefits. Your attorney will need to gather evidence, request independent medical examinations and hire expert witnesses to win your case. This takes considerable knowledge and skill. Yet, how do you know if you need a lawyer for a workers’ comp claim?
5 Reasons to Hire a Workers’ Comp Lawyer
Here are the top five reasons to hire a workers’ comp lawyer to represent you:
Reason #1: Claim Denial
Insurance companies deny workers’ compensation claims for many reasons. They may claim that your injury was not work-related. They may claim that you waited too long to file. They may even claim that you had a preexisting injury. When an insurance company denies your claim, you need a workers’ comp lawyer to help you file an appeal. The appeals process varies from state to state, so you need an attorney with considerable knowledge of Louisiana workers’ comp law.
Reason #2: Permanent Disability Rating Disputes
The amount of your workers’ comp settlement or award depends on your permanent disability rating. When the insurance company disagrees with the rating assigned by your doctor, they may ask for an independent medical examination (IME). The IME doctor often works with the insurance company and assigns a lower disability rating. A lawyer can help you build a case to use a higher disability rating and obtain greater benefits.
Reason #3: Pre-existing Conditions
If you have a pre-existing condition or injury, the insurance company may use this to reduce your benefits or deny your claim. They will blame your work injury on your previous condition. When this occurs, you need a workers’ compensation attorney on your side to help you collect the benefits you need. Your attorney will need to gather evidence proving that your work activities caused or exacerbated your pre-existing medical condition.
Reason #4: Other Government Benefits
In some cases, injured workers may also receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. The government may reduce these benefits if you receive workers’ compensation benefits. A workers’ comp lawyer can help you minimize the reduction of your SSDI benefits.
Reason #5: Workers’ Comp Hearings
When the insurance company refuses to reach a settlement, you may need to attend a formal hearing. This is similar to a trial. As such, it is important to have an experienced workers’ comp lawyer on your side to fight for your rights and your future.
Contact a Work Injury Attorney in New Orleans From Our Firm
We understand that it is difficult to know when you need to hire a lawyer for a workers’ comp claim in Louisiana. At Mitchell & Associates, APLC, our work injury attorneys in New Orleans are here to help you get benefits.
Do you have questions about your work injury, benefits, or filing a workers’ compensation claim? Our Baton Rouge workers’ comp attorneys can answer your questions and help you through the workers’ comp process. Call us at 504-527-6433 or fill out our confidential contact form for a free initial consultation.
