Accidents can happen to anyone and they never happen at a convenient time. For many Americans, an accident at work means facing time off to recover and heal, often unpaid for part of that time. Supporting themselves and their families can be extremely difficult, if not downright impossible, and if the fault lies with their company or business for not following appropriate workplace safety regulations, the individual or individuals involved may want to start talking to a workers compensation law firm. Many businesses are required by law to offer workers compensation and even in states where it’s not legally required, a good case can be made by a workers compensation law firm if there’s sufficient proof, and the worker(s) face a serious injustice. Having a workers compensation lawyer on your side is always a good idea, as they’ll serve as your guide and advocate during the entire legal process.
Why Is Workers Comp So Serious For So Many Families?
Although the economy is slowly getting better, many households are still reeling from the economic downturn of the past years. It’s also well known that credit cards have allowed the average person to spend far outside what they can actually afford and credit card debt can often be a crippling factor for people’s finances.
Indeed, the average household has 13 different cards they use for payment and when using a credit card, the amount of purchase is around 112% higher than if the person had used cash to pay. Less than one in four Americans actually has enough money saved away to cover six months of expenses if an emergency (such as an accident at work) occurred. And three-quarters of Americans are living paycheck-to-paycheck. Over 25% of Americans don’t have any type of savings at all.
If you add to this that over 22% of slip or fall accidents keep people off work for over a month, you see how costly a work accident can be. If the company is at fault, the individual can receive workers compensation for their time away, which they often desperately need.
So How Does Workers Compensation Work?
Workers compensation comes through the state and legally requires businesses to make payments to a hurt or disabled employee. Each state’s workers comp differs a little, so be sure to check out your state’s specific guidelines for applying and carrying out the process.
Among other things, workers compensation guarantees that you’ll receive medical care for your injury or illness if you have a more serious complication that requires an extended hospital stay or long-term care. If your injuries were less serious, workers compensation will often cover your medical bills accrued during your time in the hospital. Replacement income may also be offered and benefits to the individual’s survivors, should their loved one be killed while on the job.
However, do keep in mind that if you accept workers’ compensation, you cannot sue the business.
Why Should I Get In Touch With a Workers Compensation Law Firm?
If you feel that you’re entitled to workers’ compensation, but aren’t receiving it or your company is refuting your claim, getting in touch with a workers compensation law firm is the next best step.
They’ll help you navigate the system, carry out the correct procedures, and follow all the legal rules to keep your claim up and running. They’ll help you find the best solution to your specific case and make sure you are treated fairly in court and by your employer. If your disability is serious enough, they can even help you file for Social Security disability benefits.
Don’t try to go it alone — speak with a professional about the right way to proceed. Many will offer a free consultation and let you know if they think you may need to proceed with a legal consultant.
Make sure that you receive the workers’ compensation you deserve. Being out of work and unpaid is no joke and it’s often imperative for some families that they receive some form of compensation in order to live, even when their loved one is out of work.