Were you injured on the job? Are you currently going through a workers compensation claim? Claiming workers compensation can be a lengthy and complex process. It often requires that you work with accident claims lawyers to ensure you get just compensation. Waiting for approval or upcoming court dates can feel like a waste of time. You are unable to work and your financial future lies in the hands of the court system. While you are awaiting your case, there are some things that you can do to assist your disability attorney and speed up the worker’s compensation claim.
Gather all required documents and paperwork
Much of a workers compensation claim is filing the necessary paperwork and showing proof of injury with specific documents. Your attorney can pull these documents together, but it can take a long time and a lot of communication with your physicians. Gathering as much information as possible will speed up the case and will help your auto accident lawyer represent you better. Most workers compensation claims are decided based on evidence. Your medical documents and claims are your evidence.
Attend all physician appointments
You will see a lot of physicians during your worker’s compensation case. You likely have you own primary care physician that handles all of your medical care needs. Your employer might also have their own physician that they want you to see. Additionally, a third party physician might be assigned to the case to act as a neutral opinion. It might seem overwhelming and pointless to see so many medical providers for the same medical condition. However, it is an important and necessary part of the worker?s compensation claim. Workers have reported 3,007,300 occupational illnesses and injuries just in the year of 2013. The majority of these cases will have to go through extensive medical checkups.
Make it to all court dates
When you fail to make court dates, it can place a negative portrayal on you. Even if it is difficult to make it to every court date, it is important to do so. The annual cost of civil lawsuits to the U.S. economy is $239 million. Although your deciding jury is not directly paying for court costs out of pocket, it can harm your case to not show up. Your employer is likely to show in court and if they are challenging the worker?s compensation claim, they will have a chance to explain why. If you are not in court, you are unable to rebuttal or prove your injuries and incurred expenses.
Avoid speaking directly to your employer
Many employers will attempt to make a settlement when it comes to employee injuries. Offering a settlement can save them hundreds of thousands of dollars when compared to what a judge might order. Additionally, a settlement usually hides the case from the public. Too many injuries in the public eye can cause consumers to avoid the business, thus harming business. While a settlement might be an option for your claim, this is something that you should discuss only with your auto accidents claims attorney. Your employer, or their attorney, can use anything you say to them in court. It is usually best to avoid any communication and let the attorneys handle it.
Studies show that just over 1 in 4 of today?s 20 year olds will become disabled before ever reaching age 67. Some of these people will be injured while on the job, thus getting involved in messy workers compensation claims cases. If you are currently involved in a workers comp case, do not just sit back and await your outcome. You can assist your attorney by gathering important paperwork, showing up to all court dates and medical appointments, and avoiding communication with your employer.
