Employers in Alexandria are required to pay for worker’s compensation insurance for all employees. As a worker, you are covered by the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act. If you suffered an injury at work, you have the right to ask for financial compensation for your medical care and wage losses. Sadly, injured workers often have the hardest time recovering these benefits, which is exactly why it is relevant to engage an Alexandria workers’ comp attorney for your claim. We have shared a few necessary details below that you should be aware of before filing a claim.
Failure to report the injury could cost your claim
Both employers and employees are a part of the worker’s compensation system. Injured workers in Virginia have the legal responsibility to report accidents within 30 days from the date of the mishap to their employer. Ensure that you don’t miss this vital step, and while the deadline may seem enough, you should notify your supervisor in writing at the earliest.
The fault of your employer is not relevant
The worker’s compensation system is not based on fault, especially when comparing such claims with personal injury claims. You don’t need to prove that your employer was negligent in recovering the benefits. You cannot file a lawsuit against your employer for wrongful conduct. If you were also liable for the accident in any manner, that doesn’t prevent you from recovering compensation either.
You can get compensation for wage loss too
Workers usually assume that worker’s compensation benefits only include the cost of medical care, which is false. You are also entitled to wage loss benefits that are two-third of the average pay. You can get compensation for your time away from work due to your injury.
You should hire an attorney after a denial
Ideally, you should hire a worker’s compensation lawyer as soon as you suffer an injury. However, when your claim is denied, you have more reasons to do so. Employers and insurers have many reasons to deny claims, but not all are valid. If your claim is denied, contact a lawyer to appeal against the decision. You may still have a fair chance to get compensation.
Final word
The worker’s compensation system is extremely complex and hard to navigate. It would be best if you had an experienced and reliable lawyer who can be on your side as you deal with the difficult time after a workplace accident.
