Brattleboro Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Workplace injuries are more common than many people think. Each year, people suffer traumatic brain injuries, head injuries, neck and back injuries, and more, all while simply trying to earn a living. If you are an employee who has been hurt, you do have legal options. Unfortunately, the workers’ compensation process is complex and insurance companies search for reasons to deny these claims. Below, our Brattleboro workers’ compensation lawyer provides the information you need to know.
Common Injuries in Workers’ Compensation Claims
People can become injured on the job in many different ways. The most common of these include:
- Shoulder and knee injuries caused by slip and falls, heavy lifting, or catching a falling object
- Foot and ankle injuries, caused by trip and falls, crushing equipment, or trench cave-ins
- Hand and elbow injuries, due to repetitive stress or a traumatic injury
- Occupational diseases caused by exposure to toxic chemicals
- Hearing loss due to loud noises from heavy machinery, power tools, and other environmental factors
- Psychological injuries caused by the emotional distress of physical injuries
Workers’ Compensation Benefits Available
You can obtain many different types of benefits through workers’ compensation. These include:
- Medical benefits for necessary and reasonable medical treatment and services,
- Temporary total disability benefits if you cannot return to work right away due to a temporary injury,
- Permanent total disability benefits if you cannot return to work for a significant period of time due to a permanent injury,
- Temporary partial disability benefits, if you cannot return to work for a short time due to a partial disability,
- Permanent partial disability benefits, if you cannot work for an extended period of time due to a partial disability,
- Vocational rehabilitation benefits, if you need additional training to obtain gainful employment, and
- Death benefits for burial and funeral expenses.
How to Obtain Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Again, receiving the workers’ comp benefits you deserve is not always easy. There is a process to follow and the steps are as follows:
- Report your injury as soon as possible and receive medical help.
- File your workers’ compensation claim within six months of the injury.
- Confirm your employer has reported the injury to the Vermont Department of Labor, or file a report yourself.
- Wait for the insurance company to investigate your claim within 21 days.
- Receive your workers’ compensation benefits, or a denial.
Following the above steps can help ensure you will receive benefits, but it is never a guarantee. Insurance companies will still search for reasons to deny your claim. You can take certain steps, including filing an appeal, but the process is complex. You should always work with a workers’ compensation lawyer who can ensure you receive the most favorable outcome possible.
Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Brattleboro Can Help with Your Case
If you have been denied benefits or were recently injured at work and do not know what to do next, our Brattleboro workers’ compensation lawyer can help with your case. At Sluka Law, PLC, our attorney has extensive experience with all stages of the workers’ compensation process and will put that expertise to work on your case to help you obtain the benefits you deserve. Call us now at 802-457-1000 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to learn more.
