Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Manitowoc WI

Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Manitowoc Wisconsin

workers’ compensation lawyer in Manitowoc, WI

After a work-related injury, a workers’ compensation lawyer in Manitowoc, WI from Hickey & Turim Law Firm knows that medical attention should be your top priority. While sitting in the waiting room, you may wonder whether you’re going to need to file a workers’ compensation claim. If your injury doesn’t seem initially serious, you might consider foregoing a claim. It’s always a good idea to keep a claim at the forefront of your thoughts, because there are limits to when you can file.

Stay Timely With Your Report

If you have a condition caused by work-related tasks or if you are hurt on the job, you don’t want to waste time filing a report. You should report your injury to your employer as quickly as you can. In most states, you have to report it as soon as possible. In many, the time limit is between 10 and 90 days, though in some states, however, you have until whenever is practical.

Don’t Slack on Filing a Claim

The next step is to file a claim with the insurer or agency. This may be up to you or it may be up to your employer. The deadline for filing varies from state to state. In many states, the range of time you have to file a claim is between three and six years. Keep in mind that it is better to report the injury as soon as possible so that you have accurate records of the injury. The sooner you file the claim, the more likely you are to receive compensation. Our workers’ compensation lawyer in Manitowoc, Wisconsin can help.

Exceptions to the Time Limit

In some states, there are exceptions to the time limit. If you cannot file a claim right away, then you may have more time. The instances where you might not be able to file a claim include:

• Severe injuries that require long-term treatment
• Illnesses that require a quarantine
• Injuries that result in comas 

Essentially, if your medical condition keeps you from filing right away, there may be exceptions to the normal time limit. It’s important to check your policy or speak to your employer. Even if you do not think an injury is serious, it is better to report it as soon as you can.

Who Must Provide Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

When you get sick or injured it’s nice to have medical insurance coverage. You may be responsible for some of the bill, but at least you can have peace of mind to know you have help. If you are injured on the job or if work conditions cause you to get sick, you shouldn’t have to use your medical insurance, and you definitely shouldn’t have to pay for care and treatment out of your own pocket. In most cases, if your injury occurs while you are performing work duties, your employer must cover you with workers’ compensation benefits. Most employers are obligated to have this coverage, though there are some exceptions.

What Does It Cover?

Workers’ compensation will pay the medical costs for treatment, doctor’s visits, hospital stays, medication and rehab for injuries and illnesses that the employee suffers on the job. The benefit will offer coverage for lost wages if you are unable to work and even legal fees if you decide to pursue legal action against your employer. If your situation necessitates filing a case against the company you work for, then we strongly advise contacting a WI workers’ compensation lawyer immediately for guidance.

What Can You Claim?

You can file a claim for incidents that occur while you are engaged in the regular scope of your job, whether you are onsite or away from the facility. This includes injuries from slips and falls in the building, injuries caused by equipment, or vehicle accidents while you’re driving from one office to another. You can’t file a claim if roughhousing or horseplay led to the injury or if you were using drugs or alcohol at the time.

Who Provides It?

Most employers must legally carry workers’ compensation insurance. One exception would be a smaller employer that has fewer than the legal minimum number of employees. For example, in some states, a company must have coverage if it employs at least five workers. However, in other states, that minimum number is one employee.

Who Isn’t Covered?

If you are a regular employee and have taxes deducted from your paycheck, you will have workers’ compensation coverage. Freelancers, contractors, volunteers and seasonal workers will not be covered.

Hiring a Lawyer

If your employer doesn’t have workers’ compensation or is not being cooperative with you in filing a claim, you should speak to a Wisconsin workers’ compensation lawyer in Manitowoc. Our lawyers understand the laws that govern workers’ compensation and will fight for your rights and interests.

Common Reasons Why Workers’ Compensation Claims Get Denied

Employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to cover workers who get injured on the job. However, that doesn’t mean that every workers’ compensation claim gets approved. In fact, many claims get denied for one reason or another. Here are some of the most common reasons why workers’ compensation claims get denied:

Missing Deadlines

If you get injured at work, it’s important for you to notify your employer as soon as possible. After you report your injury, you can file a workers’ compensation claim with the state agency. States have various time limits for reporting workplace injuries and filing claims. If you miss these deadlines, your claim will most likely get denied.

There Were No Witnesses

An insurance company may deny your workers’ compensation claim if there are no witnesses to verify your version of events. They only have your word to rely on. Unfortunately, if you get injured at work and no one saw it, you can’t do anything about that. However, you should still report the injury to your immediate supervisor and coworkers right away. Be sure that you tell everyone the exact same thing about how your injury happened.

Drugs Were Found in Your System

If you go to the hospital after getting injured at work and the medical records show illegal drugs in your system, will certainly get denied workers’ compensation benefits.

Your Employer Doesn’t Believe Your Injury Is Work-Related

In order to receive workers’ compensation benefits, your injuries must be work related. If your employer believes that you endured that injury when you weren’t on the job, he or she may deny your claim. If this is the case, you will have to gather as much evidence as you can to support your claims with help from workers’ compensation lawyer in Manitowoc (whether it’s witnesses statements or additional medical evidence). 

You Filed the Claim After Your Left Your Job

The insurance company may also deny a claim if you filed it after you quit or were fired from your job. However, you may have been injured in the period after you gave notice but before your last day. Or perhaps your employer fired you in retaliation for reporting a workplace injury. If these cases apply to you, it’s important to challenge the denial.

What Should You Do If Your Claim Is Denied?

Just because your workers’ compensation claim was denied, doesn’t mean that you have to give up all hope. If you believe there was a mistake or you were unfairly denied, you should contact Hickey & Turim Law Firm as soon as possible. He or she can help you file an appeal and protect your legal rights.

Contact Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Manitowoc, WI!

When it comes to work-related injuries, you most often do have a time limit before you file a claim. In order to ensure that you do not miss the deadline, make sure to look at your policy. In addition, you can speak to a Manitowoc, WI workers’ compensation lawyer from Hickey & Turim SC Law Firm to find out when you should file a claim and how to receive the compensation that you deserve.