Personal Injury Lawyer
Being injured on the job can result in missed work, skyrocketing medical bills and physical pain that can take months to heal. Workers’ compensation can help cover these costs, even if you need long-term care, but what happens when you have a smaller injury case? Do you need to report it, and will you need a lawyer? You might want answers to these and other frequently asked questions before you accept any kind of compensation for your injuries or seek legal assistance.
1. Is My Case as Simple as It Looks?
Some on-the-job injuries appear simple; however, they can become troublesome and cause long-term medical issues that require more coverage. For example, if you work in a fast-food kitchen and receive a cut that only needs a few stitches, the wound could become infected afterward. Serious infections may even require the amputation of the finger, and when injuries reach this level, you may want to consider hiring an attorney to assist you with your ongoing workers’ compensation case.
2. What if My Workplace Does Not Cooperate?
It may be that your employer denies you workers’ compensation because the nature of your injury is unclear or you did not report it right away. While this can be problematic, hiring a lawyer may be helpful if you want to challenge that decision. Workers’ compensation laws vary by state and allowing an attorney to build a court case can let you focus on healing and other important issues related to your health.
3. What Qualifies As a Small Injury?
Allowing your employer to qualify the nature of your injury may restrict the settlement you are offered later on. Some accidents, such as a twisted ankle or a fall in an icy employee parking lot may seem minor, but it is important that you report the incident right away. When you talk to your manager, try not to embellish the issue but let him or her know that you want to fill out workers’ compensation papers in case you discover that you were injured worse than it originally appeared.
4. Can an Attorney Guarantee Results?
If you decide to involve an attorney in your small workers’ compensation case, he or she is not likely to guarantee any positive outcomes. Instead, your lawyer might discuss the details of your injury with you at length, gather evidence and documentation and then decide if there are enough facts to build a court case. He or she is present to offer guidance, not promises.
A small workers’ compensation case can become complicated without warning. Consult a personal injury lawyer in Des Moines, IA today for advice and further information about how to handle your lawsuit.
Thanks to Johnston Martineau, LLP for their insight into personal injury claims and the benefits of having a lawyer.