Colchester Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If you have been injured at work, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Any employer who hires one or more employers in Vermont are required to purchase and carry workers’ compensation insurance. After a workplace injury, you may not know what benefits you are entitled to, how the process works, or what to do next if your claim was denied. Below, our Colchester workers’ compensation lawyer provides the information you need to know.
Benefits Available Under Workers’ Compensation
After a workplace injury, you can claim a number of different types of benefits, depending on the nature and extent of your injury. The benefits available under workers’ compensation are as follows:
- Medical benefits: Workers’ compensation will pay for all reasonable and necessary treatment and medical services related to a workplace injury.
- TTD benefits: Temporary total benefits (TTD) provide two-thirds of your average weekly wage if you cannot return to work in any capacity after your injury. TTD benefits are typically provided up to 104 weeks after your injury.
- PTD benefits: Workers’ compensation will provide two-thirds of your average weekly wage for at least 330 weeks if your injury leaves you permanently and totally disabled.
- TPD benefits: If you are able to return to work in some capacity, temporary partial disability benefits will provide two-thirds of the difference between your average weekly wage prior to the accident, and afterward.
- PPD benefits: Permanent partial disability benefits (PPD) benefits are available if you can work but not at full capacity due to a permanent disability. Calculating these benefits is complex, so it is important to speak to a workers’ compensation lawyer.
- Vocational rehabilitation benefits: If you can return to work, but not at your current job, you can receive vocational rehabilitation benefits. These benefits allow you to receive vocational training that can return you to gainful employment.
- Death benefits: When an employee loses their life in a workplace accident, their surviving family members can obtain funeral and burial benefits.
The Workers’ Compensation Process
In order to obtain the full workers’ compensation benefits you deserve, it is essential that you follow the proper process. The steps in the process are as follows:
- Report the injury and get medical help.
- After reporting the injury, your employer will report it to the Department of Labor within 72 hours.
- Your employer’s workers’ compensation provider will conduct an investigation.
- Your claim will either be paid or denied.
- A possible hearing will be held to determine your award.
- You have the opportunity to appeal if your claim is denied.
Navigating the workers’ compensation process is never easy. It is always advised that you work with a workers’ compensation lawyer so no mistakes are made and your benefits are not delayed.
Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Colchester Can Help You Through the Process
If you have been hurt in a workplace accident, you may be eligible for benefits, but they are not easy to obtain. If you are applying for benefits, or your application has been denied, contact our Colchester workers’ compensation lawyer at 802-457-1000 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our experienced attorney and to get more of the information you need.
