Workers' Compensation Lawyer Roanoke VA
If you have been injured on the job in Roanoke, Virginia, or a surrounding jurisdiction, the decision to consult a workers compensation lawyer early in a claim can be critical. This is true even if you do not hire a lawyer right away. As a Roanoke workers' compensation lawyer, I often will meet with a potential client and discuss the issues to see if a lawyer is actually necessary.
The earlier such a consultation takes place, the safer you will be. There are a number of issues that I discuss during a free consultation that need to be verified early in a claim. These include:
- Average weekly wage
- Scope of injuries
- Choosing the doctor
- Disability slips
- Mileage reimbursement
The average weekly wage includes overtime and some non-wage benefits. The injuries need to be accurately documented or an injury can be denied later in the claim. Choosing the best doctor from the three doctor panel can also play an important role in the claim.
For these reasons I urge you to contact a lawyer who knows workers compensation well and at least have a consultation. Call our Roanoke office at (540) 345-5700.
Need help? Email our Roanoke office for a free consultation in your workers' compensation claim.
Step 1: Notify your employer.
Provide written notice to your employer within 30 days or the entire workers' compensation claim could be lost. Written notice may be the employer’s accident report. Even if you are not sure about filing a workers' compensation claim, be sure to give notice of the accident to your employer.
Step 2: Get medical treatment.
You may choose your own emergency room. The employer must then offer you a choice of three doctors to choose from. This choice does not mean three medical practices or “urgent” care facilities. Once you choose the doctor, that doctor becomes the treating doctor for the claim.
Step 3: Get an Award entered.
Without an Award order from the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission, your claim is not protected. Even if the insurance company pays bills and wages, it can stop whenever it wants if there is no Award Order. If the insurance company does not cooperate, file a claim as soon as possible.
Step 4: Verify your benefits.
If you are getting an Award entered or filing a claim, make sure the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission has the correct information. The Award needs to have the correct average weekly wage and the correct injuries noted. If it does not, you may lose the right to correct the Award.
Requerimientos para Compensación de Lesiones para Trabajadores en el Estado de Virginia
La mayoría de las personas considera que si se lesiona en el trabajo, es motivo de reclamo de compensación para el trabajador. Esta consideración no es verdad, en el estado de Virginia para que un reclamo de lesión en el trabajo resulte existoso, hay dos diferentes requerimientos.