Workers Compensation Lawyer Newport News

Regardless of your industry, workplace injuries, and occupational diseases affect employees across all Virginia market sectors. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there were 82,500 recordable cases of workers sustaining various ailments because of job-related conditions in 2018. For 43,300 workers, the end result was days away from work, a job restriction, or transfer to a new position. The economic impact can be devastating since many also incur astronomical bills for medical treatment.

Fortunately, Virginia’s workers’ compensation system provides you with legal options as an injured employee. There are strict laws regarding eligibility, however, so it is important to retain skilled legal representation to help with the claims process. For more information on your rights and remedies, please contact Hampton Injury Law PLC to discuss your situation with a workers’ compensation lawyer in Newport News. You might also benefit from reviewing some basics.

Common Workplace Injuries and Occupational Illnesses

The details depend on your position and industry, but some of the most frequently occurring job-related medical conditions include: 

• Bruises and lacerations from slips, trips, and falls;
• Muscle strains and repetitive motion injuries;
• Bone fractures and sprains from being hit by or running into objects;
• Injuries from auto collisions and equipment accidents;
• Respiratory ailments due to inhaling toxic substances;
• Burns and abrasions from exposure to hazardous materials, fires, and explosions;
• Head, neck, and spinal cord trauma; and,
• Many others. 

Summary of Virginia Workers’ Comp Laws

Virginia’s statute on workers’ compensation establishes a no-fault system for job-related medical conditions, so you do not need to prove that your employer was negligent in causing harm. Instead, companies are required to procure insurance to cover workers’ comp injuries. You may be eligible for such benefits as: 

• Medical costs to treat your ailment;
• Partial or total disability benefits, on a permanent or temporary basis;
• Vocational rehabilitation services to support you in obtaining different employment, if necessary; and,
• Death benefits for qualifying family members who lose a loved one because of a work-related medical condition. 

Dealing with Workers’ Comp Insurance Companies

The claims process starts by notifying your employer of your medical condition and filing the proper paperwork with your employer’s workers’ comp insurance company. You could encounter hurdles in doing so, and it can be frustrating to learn that your claim was denied. The insurer may try to allege that your injury was not connected to a workplace accident, your sickness is not job-related, or you do not qualify for other reasons. Insurance companies often deny claims for improper reasons, which is why your chances of quick approval increase when you have an experienced attorney on your side.

Reach Out to a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Newport News Today

As you can see, getting benefits under Virginia workers’ comp laws can be complicated. There is more to the claims process than filling out some forms, and there can be considerable challenges in dealing with an insurance company. If you were hurt at work or suffer from an occupational disease, please call Hampton Injury Law PLC today to set up a free case evaluation.