In a large majority of cases, a person who has been injured on the job and cannot work for a week or longer is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. When the injury was exceptionally severe and will have permanent consequences, hiring a work injury compensation lawyer in Washington, PA is crucial to make sure the individual receives the maximum amount they deserve.
A Brief History
Legal protections for workers have been in place in Pennsylvania and all other states for more than 100 years. Originally, the system involved employees filing lawsuits against employers, but this was problematic for many reasons. When states switched to a relatively standard workers’ compensation system funded by insurance, employees were better able to receive benefits quickly, and employers were protected against litigation.
The Issue of Maximum Payouts
One service provided by a work injury compensation lawyer in Washington, PA is to verify whether a claim is capped at a certain amount by the workers’ comp insurer. Sometimes a representative of the company says this to the claimant when in reality, this is inaccurate. The lawyer can investigate prior case history related to this particular insurer and learn whether a stated cap on benefits can be raised.
Returning to Work
Sometimes this individual is eventually able to return to full-time work, although it may not be the same kind of job they performed in the past. A construction worker might need retraining for an office job, for instance, and that amount should be covered in the settlement negotiated by an organization such as Business Name. Visit us online to learn more about this particular law firm.
Complicated Situations
Most claims are straightforward, with the employee returning to work fairly soon. In contrast, serious injuries with long-term consequences require more complicated consideration. As with tax returns prepared for the Internal Revenue Service, filling out paperwork and making sure everything is completed correctly has become increasingly difficult over the years. Insurance companies that face paying out large sums commonly want additional verification of injuries and disability besides the claimant’s primary care doctor or even the surgeon.
