If you have ever been injured on the job, you know how inconvenient and devastating it can be. Not being able to work due to an injury you sustained at work can hurt not only your wallet, but on your mental health as well. In fact, symptoms of depression are extremely common in individuals who were injured at work and unable to return to work one year after the initial incident. Many of these people report feelings of loneliness and isolation due to their normal life being disrupted by a workplace injury.
If you or a loved one has suffered a work-related injury or illness, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. However, it is important that you don’t try to go up against an insurance company alone, as they can try to intimidate you and hinder your chances of receiving benefits. Hiring an experienced worker’s compensation lawyer in Pittsburgh or wherever you work is your best bet when pursuing a workplace injury case.
Why hire a workers’ compensation lawyer?
As mentioned earlier, going up against insurance companies without professional representation is a risky move. Even if you think you know the law, you’re still no match against aggressive insurance companies. This is why you must hire a professional workers’ compensation attorney. A good workers’ compensation lawyer will be able to advocate for you and present your side of the story in a way a judge and jury will understand. If you have been injured at work, it can be difficult to refrain from getting emotional when telling your story, which is why hiring a professional attorney is crucial in building a solid case. A worker’s compensation lawyer will be able to gather evidence and tell your story from a rational and unemotional point of view, saving you the trouble of having to defend yourself in court.
Another benefit of hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer is that they will do all of the grunt work for you, such as legal paperwork, gathering and presenting evidence, etc. When you have been injured at work, the last thing you probably want to do is fight with insurance companies and build your own case. Because of this, your attorney will handle all of the heavy lifting so that you don’t have to be so heavily involved in the process, giving you more time to relax and focus on getting better.
How do lawyers prove workers’ compensation claims?
Workers’ compensation claims are often denied for a number of reasons, with the biggest being an insufficient amount of evidence to back it up. To increase your chances of winning your case, there are several ways workers’ compensation lawyers go about proving their clients’ claims. Things like gathering medical records, setting up treatment with physicians, obtaining medical opinions from doctors, and conducting depositions of physicians are just a few of the measures a workers’ compensation lawyer will take to build a solid case. Other factors, such as testimonies from friends and family members regarding your daily activity and evidence that your employer failed to take proper safety measures or effectively train you on the job can also increase your chances of winning workers’ compensation benefits. A good workers’ compensation attorney will be able to recognize and understand these factors and use them to build the best possible case in order to improve your chances of winning.
Negotiating a settlement
When it comes time to negotiate a settlement with your employer’s insurance company, your workers’ compensation attorney should be able to estimate how much money you should be expecting to receive. This amount depends on a variety of factors, including the severity of your injuries, any past medical expenses, and whether or not your injuries are permanent. Your workers’ compensation attorney will also be able to negotiate with insurance companies and fight any unfair offers or lowballing.
If you have been injured due to a workplace incident, don’t lose hope. Hire a trusted workers’ compensation lawyer to pursue and win your case.