Work is an important part of life. Not only does it provide the ability to obtain the resources we need to survive, such as food and shelter, but it helps people to feel productive and can provide a sense of purpose and meaning.
When you sustain an injury at work, all of those things may be taken away from you. An experienced Enfield workers’ compensation lawyer may be able to help you navigate the system to increase the chances that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Reach out to the trusted local team at Berman & Russo today to learn more.
Workers’ compensation is a system of insurance that all Connecticut employers are required to subscribe to that provides medical care and wage reimbursement for employees who are injured while performing their job duties. Most importantly, workers’ compensation is not based on fault. Benefits are available to an injured worker regardless of who or what caused their accident and injuries. Even if the injured employee caused their own injury, they can still receive workers’ compensation benefits except in a few cases, such as if substance or alcohol abuse was involved. Benefits are also available to almost any employee, even if they are part-time or brand new to the company.
Because workers’ compensation is not based on fault, almost any injured employee can receive some benefits. Determining exactly how much and what type of benefits, however, can be complicated. The amount of benefits an injured employee receives is based on the degree and severity of their injuries and how the damage will impact their ability to work and earn wages going forward, among other factors. It is common for employees and employers to have different perspectives about these details, which can lead to disagreements about the amount of benefits a worker should receive. Because of this, Connecticut has established the Workers’ Compensation Commission, which includes a group of administrative law judges whose only job is to hear and decide workers’ compensation disputes. Many specific rules and filing requirements go into this process, but an Enfield attorney with experience in workers’ compensation cases could help make sure an employee’s claim remains on track and they receive the maximum amount of benefits applicable in their situation.
After being hurt at work, there are several steps an employee should be sure to take right away. They should report the matter to their employer immediately. If any significant time elapses, the employer is more likely to dispute the claim, and it will be harder for the employee to prove the injury occurred while they were at work.
The employee should also allow the employer’s chosen medical provider to examine them. An injured employee will have the ability to see a doctor of their choice later, but seeing the employer’s doctor right away will make sure any emergency needs are taken care of and, again, will significantly lessen the employer’s ability to dispute the workers’ compensation claim in the future.
Additionally, the injured worker should seek advice from an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in Enfield as soon as possible. An injured person will need to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits before the statutorily imposed deadline, and doing so correctly is critical to receiving a fair amount of benefits. Working with a lawyer may be the best way to do this effectively, as they could keep records of the claim and communicate and negotiate with the employer and relevant insurance companies as needed.
When you are hurt at work, you should not have to have to pursue the compensation you deserve on your own. A skilled attorney from our local firm could represent your interests and guide you through the workers’ compensation system so that you can focus on healing, recovering, and returning to work as soon as possible.
Call an Enfield workers’ compensation lawyer to learn more about how we could help.
South Windsor Personal Injury Lawyer | Auto Collision Attorneys
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