Think you don’t need a lawyer for your workers’ compensation claim?

During those unfortunate times in which you’re forced to file for Workers’ Compensation, you might be thinking to yourself, “This is between me and my boss. Why do I need to involve a lawyer? Won’t that just make things worse? The fact is that filing a Workers’ Compensation claim can be a confusing and complicated process that takes all of your time and leaves you going in circles. There are a number of claim-related issues for which you will need effective legal representation, including but not limited to:
Maximum Payouts
You will rarely be entitled to a cash settlement option without filing the necessary paperwork. An attorney can help you get the required documents in order, particularly an Employee’s Claim Petition with the New Jersey Department of Labor. Without an attorney, you are likely to get significantly less than what your case is worth.
Continued Guidance
There are numerous areas of Workers’ Compensation law which will be unfamiliar to you and which your carrier may have a vested in interest in keeping from you. You’re entitled to 70 percent of your week’s pay in addition to benefits if you are injured and are unable to return to work for more than a week. An attorney can make sure that the insurance carrier is paying the proper percentage and take action if they are found to be in dereliction.
Making Sure You’re Treated Fairly
Throughout this entire process, there will be a number of roadblocks and impediments to you getting the treatment and compensation you deserve. Whether it’s a carrier claiming your injury is not their responsibility, a delay from the employer in processing your claim or any other potential minefields, you will need an experienced and passionate advocate to keep the other parties honest and make sure you get what you’re owed.
The attorneys at Team Law understand the impact that workplace injury has on your ability to earn and your quality of life. If you need to file a Workers’ Compensation claim and don’t know where to start, contact us today for a free consultation.