A single mistake or distraction on the job can leave you hurt and suffering. Your Workers’ Comp benefits are supposed to protect you and compensate you when this happens, but you may not have much luck getting your compensation.
Luckily, your lawyer at Pathfinder Injury Law can guide you through the steps to settle a Virginia Workers’ Comp dispute. If you were hurt on the job and you’ve been denied Workers’ Comp benefits or had a dispute with your claim, your Workers’ Comp lawyer can help you get answers.
A settlement is optional. Nobody can force you to settle. Settlement ends the benefits it covers, and the Commission must approve all settlements.
Find Out Why Your Claim Is Disputed
Your first option is to speak with the insurance company and your employer about your Workers’ Comp claim. Your lawyer can request more information about the reason for your denial, determining why you didn’t receive compensation.
Once you know the reasons for your denial, you and your lawyer can focus on disputing those reasons. For example, your employer may claim you didn’t give notice or file your claim in time to receive compensation. In Virginia, the Workers’ Compensation Act requires notice to your employer within thirty days of the accident, and your claim must be on file with the Commission within two years of your date of accident, although exceptions apply. In this case, you and your lawyer may focus on proving you met those deadlines.
Request a Hearing Before the Commission
Pathfinder Injury Law can also help at mediation. Mediations are settlement conferences with the insurance company and a judge (called a deputy commissioner) for the purpose of trying to reach a lump sum settlement.
But mediation for you and your employer may not work in every case. While your Workers’ Comp lawyer can help you provide evidence that you are due benefits, the insurance company and your employer may continue to refuse your compensation.
When you’re hurt in a serious work accident, you don’t have to settle for less or move on after a refusal. You may instead request a hearing before the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission. There, your lawyer can represent you and present evidence that you’re due Workers’ Comp benefits. Once all evidence has been presented, the commissioner will determine whether you’re due benefits.
Settle Your Dispute with a Workers’ Comp Lawyer
After a work accident, you need Workers’ Comp benefits that meet your needs. But if your employer fails to compensate you, you may need help getting compensated for your work injuries.
Your lawyer at Pathfinder Injury Law is here to help you negotiate the settlement you need. If the insurance company refuses to work with you, your lawyer can represent you at a hearing before the Commission. To discuss your path to recovery, reach out for a free consultation by calling 804-505-0633 or by filling out the online contact form.
