Bristol Workers Compensation Lawyer

If you were injured on the job, you should discuss your case with a Bristol workers compensation lawyer. You may be entitled to receive workers compensation benefits. A lawyer can guide you through the process and protect your legal rights.

What is a Compensation Lawyer?

Workers’ compensation is a system in the United States and many other countries that provides benefits to workers who are injured or become ill as a result of their job. Workers’ compensation lawyers represent employees when they file claims for workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation lawyers can also help employees who have been denied benefits, had their benefits reduced, or have had their claim disputed by their employer.

In most cases, workers’ compensation is the only way for injured employees to receive medical treatment and money for lost wages. A Bristol Workers Compensation Lawyer can help employees file claims and negotiate settlements with insurance companies. Workers’ compensation lawyers may also have experience in other areas of law, such as personal injury or employment law.

These lawyers can also represent clients in hearings related to worker’s compensation claims. If you have been injured at work, it is important to speak with a workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that your rights are protected.

When It’s Necessary to Hire a Lawyer

If you’re dealing with a workplace injury, you may wonder if it’s worth it to hire a workers compensation lawyer or not. The answer to this question depends on several different factors. If you, for example, suffered a fairly minor injury and your employer believes that you got injured at work, you may be able to handle the case yourself. However, there are certain situations that may require the assistance of a lawyer, such as:

• Your Employer Denies Your Claim: When you’ve been injured at work, it can be disheartening for your employer to deny your workers compensation claim. However, that doesn’t mean you have to give up right away. Plenty of workers get their claims denied and have the option to file an appeal. If you’re in this situation, you should hire a lawyer to assist you.
• Your Injury Has Left You Disabled: Unfortunately, some workplace injuries can render you partially or permanently disabled. As a result, you may never be able to perform your job again. To compensate you for loss of future earning potential, you may be eligible to receive weekly payments. However, insurance companies don’t give up that kind of money so easily. That’s why it’s critical to have a Bristol, TN workers compensation lawyer on your side. He or she will negotiate with the insurance company and won’t let them take advantage of you.
• Your Settlement Isn’t Sufficient: Just because your employer approved your claim, doesn’t mean it’s sufficient enough to pay for all your medical bills and lost wages. You don’t want to suffer financially because of your injury. It’s best to get in touch with a workers compensation lawyer in this situation.
• Your Employer Has Retaliated Against You: It’s perfectly within your right to file a workers compensation claim if you get injured at work, However, that doesn’t some employers from getting angry and retaliating. Examples of retaliation include reducing your pay or hours and termination. If your employer has retaliated against you, it’s worth it to get a workers compensation lawyer involved.
• There’s a Third Party Involved: If a third party contributed to your injury, you could be eligible for more compensation. For instance, if you drive for your job and another driver hit your vehicle, that driver may be held legally responsible. You should talk to an experienced lawyer in this situation.

Bristol, VA Workers’ Compensation Lawyer – Helping Injured Workers Get the Full Benefits to Which They are Entitled

Nearly any kind of injury suffered at work is compensable under the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act.  However, employers and their insurance companies have a vested interest in seeking to deny or minimize benefits, including the full medical treatment to which injured workers are entitled.

At The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, we believe that it is unconscionable for employers, insurance companies, and their doctors in engaging in unfair and wrongful tactics in order to deny just compensation and medical treatment.  These tactics can include:

• Claiming that an injury did not occur at work,
• Minimizing the extent and rating of the injury in order to pay less compensation,
• Denying payment for treatment that is required by the law to help injured workers fully recover, and
• Clearing injured workers to return to their job before they are medically able to perform work requirements.

In situations such as these, hiring an experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help to increase the chances of securing full benefits and medical treatment, as employers are more reluctant to utilize unfair tactics when a seasoned attorney is involved in a claim.

At The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, firm founder Mark Hurt has represented countless injured victims and their families across Virginia over the course of 30 years of legal practice, and he has secured millions of dollars in compensation for clients.  If you are suffering from a workplace injury and want to file a claim or need help in fighting a denial of benefits, call our offices to schedule a free consultation.  Mark can evaluate your case, assist in preparing required paperwork, and (if necessary) zealously advocate on your behalf to get the full and fair compensation you deserve through administrative hearings and even trial.

How Much Do You Charge to Handle Workers’ Compensation Claims?

We represent injured workers on a contingency fee basis; thus we do not collect a fee unless we secure benefits for our workers’ compensation clients.  By law, our fee is capped at a maximum of 20% of the compensation that is recovered for an injury (after costs are deducted).  Regardless of whether the case settles or must be litigated through a trial, the fee will never exceed this threshold.

What Types of Injuries Are Covered by Worker’s Compensation?

Any injury or occupational disease that occurs during employment is covered under the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act, regardless of who caused the accident.  Covered injuries can include, but are not limited to:

• Broken Bones
• Amputations
• Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
• Neck Injuries
• Loss of strength
• Loss of Flexibility
• Muscular Strains
• Heart Conditions
• Aggravated Arthritis
• Ankle and Foot Injuries
• Burns, Scars, and Disfigurement
• Cancer
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
• Eye Injuries or Vision Loss
• Hearing Impairment or Loss

What Should I Do If I Am Injured on the Job?

If you’ve been injured at work, it is essential that you provide written notice to your employer as soon as possible, as the failure to report an injury within 30 days could result in a claim being denied, or the company contending that your injury did not occur at work.  If you work for a subcontractor, the notice should be given to both your subcontractor employer and to the general contractor.

After giving this notification, you should also file a Claim for Benefits Form with the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission.  Claim forms can be obtained and submitted online at the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission’s website.

Can I Go to Any Doctor that I Want?

Once all parties have been timely notified of an injury, an employer is required to provide a list of physicians by whom the injured worker can be treated.  The employee must select one of the referenced medical providers; however, if a company neglects to provide the physician list or the individual believes that improper treatment is being rendered, it may be possible to consult with an independent doctor.  Additionally, an injured employee may also go to any doctor to seek treatment, although the employee will likely be required to pay all costs associated with such visits and medical treatment.

It’s important to recognize that the doctors on a company’s physician list may have an incentive to minimize the extent of the injury, or to otherwise find that an injured employee is able to return to work before they are actually able to do so, in order to stay on the company’s list of approved doctors (and be able to get further work from the company).  For this reason, it is often important to get an independent medical examination (IME) from a physician who may not have this bias.

At The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, we represent injured victims in seeing that they receive the fair treatment, full compensation, and complete medical benefits that are required under Tennessee law.  The workers’ compensation system can be challenging, but we help ease the process by providing pragmatic guidance and assisting in selecting the appropriate medical providers.

How Long Can I Receive Virginia Worker’s Compensation Benefits?

Every workers’ compensation case is different, and there are many variables that will determine how long an individual will be eligible for benefits.  The exact amount of time that an employee will receive benefits will depend on the severity of an injury, how long it takes to recover, if full recovery is achieved, and if the individual can return to work.  For most cases, compensation may be awarded for up to 500 weeks (so long as the injured employee is unable to return to work); however, there are some exceptions for severe injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and amputations.

What Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits Are There?

Workers’ compensation benefits vary based on the level of incapacity of an injured worker.  The following are the different benefit levels:

• Full Incapacity. A worker is considered fully incapacitated if they cannot perform any work at all.  In these cases, injured individuals should receive benefits for lost wages until released for full duty.  In addition to lost wages, lifetime medical costs due to the injury – such as doctor visits, prescriptions, prostheses, durable medical equipment, physical therapy, and medical tests – will also be covered.
• Partial Incapacity. If an individual can still work, but their condition restricts their ability to earn the same amount as they had before the injury, benefits can be collected until a doctor releases the worker to full duty.  Workers’ compensation benefits will be a portion of the difference between what the person is earning and previously earned before the injury.  Like full incapacity, the worker may also be entitled to collect for lifetime medical expenses due to the injury.
• Permanent Loss. The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act provides specific benefits for individuals suffering permanent loss of a body part in a workplace incident.  For a complete loss of function or amputation, a worker will receive compensation for the following periods:
• • First Finger 35 Weeks
  • Second Finger 30 Weeks
  • Third Finger 20 Weeks
  • Fourth Finger 15 Weeks
  • Thumb 60 Weeks
  • Great Toe 30 Weeks
  • Other Toes 10 Weeks
  • Hand 150 Weeks
  • Arm 200 Weeks
  • Foot 125 Weeks
  • Leg 175 Weeks
  • Eye (Vision Loss) 100 Weeks
  • Ear (Hearing Loss) 50 Weeks
  • Severe Disfigurement Up to 60 Weeks

• Permanent and Total Incapacity. In severe accidents resulting in total incapacitation, lifetime compensation may be awarded.  The following is a list of the circumstance under which a worker may be eligible for lifetime workers’ compensation:
  • Loss of both arms, hands, feet, legs, eyes, or any combination of two in the same accident;
  • Injury resulting in total paralysis; or
  • Severe brain injury impairing the ability to work in any capacity.

It’s important to understand that the items noted above are a partial list of disabilities for which compensation is required.  There are many other types of injuries, like debilitating back injuries, that may also result in permanent and total disability.

Why Hire The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurst as Your Workers Compensation Lawyer

A Bristol, Tennessee workers compensation lawyer wants you to know that your workers compensation claim has validity to it. If you have been injured on the job, then seeking compensation for your pain and suffering will help you out immensely. Doctors’ visits, therapy sessions, lost wages and more are just a few of the major expenses that an injury on the job can cause. Speaking with a lawyer from The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt will help you to understand more about your options and how to successfully proceed with your claim.

Companies Don’t Enjoy Giving you a Fair Offer

Many times, in a workers compensation case, the company will try and get you to accept the first offer that they give. This is generally a much lower amount then it should be due to the company not wanting to spend too much money on the case. A lawyer can help fight for you in your case and make sure that your offer is fair and suffice for you to accept. It is generally in the best interest of the client not to accept the first offer. Your suffering has caused you to miss many days at work and has left you with time wasted going to doctors and possibly having to attend therapy sessions. These things should be fairly compensated. Lost wages should be reimbursed to you due to the fact that you have had to miss many days from work due to injury. Our lawyers at The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt have years of experience helping clients to get the settlements that they deserve for their workers compensation claim.

General Injuries for a Workers Compensation Claim

There are many different injuries that can be categorized into a workers compensation claim. Some of the more common injuries include slips and falls, chemical burns, equipment malfunctions, negligence from coworkers and more. If you happen to be working in a warehouse or construction job, then you will know that there are many hazards that could potentially injure you. Potentially harmful chemicals and heavy machinery are something that is dealt with on a regular day basis. A Bristol, TN workers compensation lawyer also knows that it is not only the more dangerous types of jobs that can cause injuries. Injuries can happen in office jobs as well from having to sit for long periods of time in certain positions that could cause bad back pains or other injuries.

Call The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with An Experienced Bristol Workers’ Compensation Lawyer!

Mark Hurt has over three decades of legal experience and in-depth knowledge of the Virginia workers’ compensation process.   If you have suffered a traumatic workplace injury, we would like to help.  Call our office to schedule a complimentary consultation.

Mark can discuss your case, explain your legal options, and tenaciously fight to get you the full benefits to which you are entitled.

If you have been injured on the job, then learning as much as you can about the workers compensation process is important. Talking with our lawyers at The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt can help you to understand more about the process and how to proceed with getting the compensation that you deserve for your pain and suffering. All of those lost wages, doctors’ visits, medical bills can be reimbursed to you in your settlement. Speak with a Bristol, TN workers compensation lawyer from our firm today.

Workers’ compensation is a vital part of the American workplace. It ensures that employees who are injured on the job can receive the care and benefits they need without having to file a lawsuit. If you’ve been injured at work, it’s important to speak with an experienced Bristol Workers Compensation Lawyer to ensure that you receive the benefits you deserve.

If you’ve been injured on the job, it’s likely that your employer is going to try and make things difficult for you. Many employers will do everything in their power to prevent paying workers’ compensation benefits. They might even fire or demote an employee who files a claim against them.

The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurst is the premier law firm in Bristol, TN, and we’re here to help you with your legal needs. We have over 25 years of experience as lawyers and are ready to fight for you! You can rest easy knowing that we will be there every step of the way throughout your case. Our goal is to get you back on track so that you can focus on what matters most – taking care of yourself and getting better.

You can trust that our team will provide you with personalized attention at all times because we know how stressful these cases can be in your life. We’ll work hard to get you maximum benefits under state law so that you can focus on recovering from your injuries instead of worrying about finances or other issues related to your case. If necessary, we’ll take your case all the way to trial if it means getting justice for you after an accident at work! With us on your side, there’s nothing standing between you and financial security after an injury caused by someone else’s negligence! Let us fight for what’s right today

Hire The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurst as Your Workers Compensation Attorney today so we can begin working immediately on getting your life back together again! Don’t let anyone take advantage of you because of an accident at work.

Schedule a consultation with a Bristol, TN workers compensation lawyer from The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt today.