Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Racine, WI

Injuries experienced from job-related incidents can send a victim reeling. Losses suffered as a result may have a significant impact on the life you once knew. While injuries can range in severity, many can require time away from work during recovery. Workers’ compensation benefits are one way employees injured at work can obtain assistance in the days following their accident. There are a number of treatments offered depending upon the injury suffered while at work. Consulting with a workers compensation lawyer in Racine, Wisconsin from Hickey and Turim, S.C. may provide strategic support for moving forward with your case.

Common Injuries

Workers’ compensation is a benefit offered to employees in the event they are injured while at work. Workers’ compensation may provide support for lost wages, vocational rehabilitation, and medical expenses an employee has suffered following an accident. There are a plethora of injuries a person may face while on the job. However, there are some that occur more often than others under workers’ compensation. Some of the common injuries a Racine, WI workers compensation lawyer has handled include:

• Overexertion
• Falls
• Trips
• Sprain or tear
• Broken bones
• Repetitive motion

It can be incredibly overwhelming to obtain an injury while at work, especially if the injury requires a recovery period. If you have been injured, consulting with a workers compensation lawyer in Racine, WI who represent workers’ comp cases can be helpful in determining how you should pursue your case.

Treatments for Injuries

Treatment for an injury sustained following an accident on the job is key for a number of reasons. Not only will it be important to obtain the necessary treatment to ensure that you are well cared for, but the documents produced from treatment can provide victims with key pieces of evidence in order to support their case. Treatments can range depending on the injury suffered and based upon the injury.

While some people injured at work may walk away with very minimal injuries, others stand to face more significant treatments and recovery periods. Despite this, even the most minor of injuries should be assessed by a medical professional following an accident sustained at work. This can provide a layer of protection to individuals whose injuries do not present themselves until later on. By delaying treatment in an accident, you risk your employer and the insurance company questioning whether your injuries were in fact, work-related.  

Consulting with Hickey and Turim, S.C.

The services offered at Hickey and Turim, S.C. can help in mapping out a clear path during a time that may be riddled with unknowns. Workers’ compensation cases aren’t always as straightforward as they seem. With the services provided a workers compensation lawyer from our firm, you can feel rest assured that you have a professional team of attorneys by your side to assist you.

Contact Hickey and Turim, S.C. for premier legal services in the Racine, WI area. We are empathetic and passionate professionals who are standing by to help you face your case. It’s not uncommon for complications to arise. Not only can this create stress for an accident victim, it can also result in serious problems to arise. Schedule a consultation with a workers compensation lawyer Racine, WI clients recommend from our firm today.

What is workers’ compensation?

If you get injured on the job, you may need the help of a workers’ compensation lawyer for Racine, WI, like Hickey & Turim. Workers’ compensation is an insurance that grants someone monetary compensation for time off work and medical treatments in the case of a work-related injury. It is imperative that you report your injury promptly and through the correct channels in order to receive maximum benefits for your work-related incident. However, workers’ compensation claims may not always be accepted for a myriad of reasons.

An injury at work has the potential to throw your life into complete chaos – all the more reason to contact a qualified workers’ compensation lawyer in Racine, Wisconsin.

When you’re dealing with the aftermath of a workplace accident, the last thing you should be dealing with is a bunch of paperwork and insurance red tape. You should be focusing on your recovery instead, but unfortunately that might seem impossible when you look at all the hoops you need to jump through to pay off your bills.

Some fortunate employees are entitled to workers’ compensation. Workers’ comp is incredibly useful for those who were hurt on the job: It can cover the cost of your medical care, and it can make up for a large portion of any wages you might miss while you’re unable to go back to work. This is especially needed if you were relying on your wages to keep you financially afloat.

To many, worker’s comp seems like “free money”. Unfortunately, that’s not totally the case. Workers’ comp requires some important requirements to be satisfied before you see a cent, and unfortunately you’ll encounter some frustrating hiccups along the way. Don’t be discouraged, though: A workers’ compensation lawyer in Racine, WI from Hickey and Turim, S.C. can help you navigate the process and get the compensation you deserve. Read on to learn how.

3 Things a Worker’s Compensation Lawyer Can Do For You

If you have been injured on the job and don’t know what to do next, a workers compensation lawyer in Racine, WI, can help. An injury from working can cause significant issues in your life, even if the damage is minute. If you are considering hiring a lawyer to help you receive adequate compensation for your injuries, you may be wondering what an attorney can do for you. While there are many legal processes a lawyer can assist you with, here are three things that a worker’s compensation lawyer can do for you.

1. Help Develop Evidence

A workers compensation lawyer in Racine, WI from Hickey & Turim SC can help you put together evidence to assist with your case. Many times, denials of a compensation claim occur because of insufficient evidence. You might not know how to get the medical records you need or which ones are most important. A lawyer will know what to look for and who to ask. A lawyer can also arrange treatments with doctors and document their opinions regarding your injuries. They can also get statements from family and friends about the changes in your daily habits due to your injuries. If needed, a lawyer can research the company you work for and note any unsafe workplace conditions or lack of workplace safety training. 

2. Negotiate Settlements

If your workplace has decided to offer you a settlement, a workers compensation lawyer in Racine, WI, can ensure you get the appropriate amount of money. A lawyer from Hickey & Turim SC can estimate how much your case is worth based on the extent of your injuries and how permanent they are. Based on these factors, an attorney can let you know if the settlement is acceptable or not. 

3. Represent You in Court

If you cannot settle, then going to court may be the next step. A lawyer can represent you and your case in court. They will gather all of the necessary statements and documents and perform and research needed to make sure you have what you need for your case. A workers compensation lawyer in Racine, WI, can help appeal the courts’ decision if the hearing results are unsatisfactory.

These are three ways an attorney can help you with any worker’s compensation claims. If you have been injured at work and need assistance with a settlement or court case, a lawyer from Hickey & Turim SC can assist you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Worker’s Compensation

Does Worker’s Compensation Pay For All My Medical Bills?

Your priority is seeking medical treatment when you get injured on the job, but you may soon worry about how the bills get paid. Fortunately, worker’s compensation pays for your medical expenses when your claim gets approved. Some covered costs include the following:

• ER visit
• Surgery
• Physical therapy
• Medical devices
• Prescription medication

If you get bills from your doctor before the insurance company decides your claim, reach out to a workers compensation lawyer in Racine, WI, for assistance. The lawyers at Hickey & Turim SC may be able to prevent collection activity on those invoices.

What Happens If My Injuries Don’t Show Up Until Later?

No matter how small an injury may seem, it’s necessary to immediately file a report with your employer. This is important because if an injury takes time to show up, you may have difficulty proving the pain results from the workplace accident. Most worker’s compensation companies don’t make it easy to file a claim after the deadline passes. Having proper documentation and consulting with a workers compensation lawyer in Racine, WI, like one from Hickey & Turim SC, is a smart way to proceed with a delayed or subsequent injury. 

Is My Injury Covered If It Happened Away From My Office?

When your job requires you to travel away from the office, and you get injured during that time, worker’s compensation covers your event if you were performing work-related activities. This means your injuries are covered by your employer’s insurance if you slip and fall while making a delivery, are injured while traveling through an airport on a business trip, or sustain an injury at a required work-related social function. Contact a workers compensation lawyer in Racine, WI, for help if your claim gets denied because of where the injury occurred. 

Should I Expect a Settlement From the Insurance Company?

A claim filed with worker’s compensation has many different components to it. The company is responsible for medical bills, including ongoing and future treatments, lost wages during recovery, diminished work capacity and decreased quality of life. In a minor injury, the insurance may cover your medical expenses and pay for lost wages, which may be an acceptable payment for you. However, with significant injuries, the insurance company often provides a settlement to close the case. It is entirely up to you to decide if the amount offered is acceptable compensation. If you feel you deserve more, meet with a workers compensation lawyer in Racine, WI, to discuss alternative plans. 

Do I Need a Lawyer if I’ve Been Injured on the Job?

Workers’ comp is far from the “free money” everyone makes it out to be. There are requirements that you have to meet before you receive any benefits. For example, you have to report your injury to your employer as soon as possible – and if you report your injury too late, you might not be considered for workers’ compensation at all.

Additionally, you’ll have to file your claim for workers’ compensation. It’s not automatically filed when you report your injury to your employer, and unfortunately there’s a time limit for filing for workers’ compensation as well. You’ll only have a brief amount of time to report your injury and file for workers’ comp, and anything outside that window might get your claim denied.

If you’re dealing with a pressing injury and you have to seek out immediate medical attention, do you really think you should have to deal with a mountain of paperwork to report your injury and secure your workers’ compensation? It’s not uncommon for people to be in a rush to get the care they require, and this can lead to a failure to report their injuries or file for workers’ comp.

In other cases, employers may refuse to accept that an injury occurred on the job. It sounds completely cruel (and it is) but many employers are too focused on turning a profit to care about the people working for them. Whether you weren’t able to file for workers’ comp in time, or your employer isn’t helping you get the care you need, you can count on a workers’ compensation lawyer to get you the compensation you deserve.

Contact Hickey and Turim, S.C. Today

You deserve to be taken care of if you were injured on the job, and workers’ compensation exists to do exactly that. Unfortunately, unless you go through all the motions with exacting accuracy, your claim may be denied and you may be cut adrift, left alone to pick up the pieces. In these overwhelming situations, it’s important to reach out to a lawyer who can hold your negligent employers accountable for your injuries.

At Hickey and Turim, S.C. we understand how frustrating workers’ comp can be, and we know you should be focused on your recovery instead of paperwork and red tape. Reach out to us today, and see how a workers’ compensation lawyer in Racine, WI can help you get your life back on track.

Some of the more common explanations for a workers’ compensation claim denial would be:

• Your injury did not require any medical treatment.
• Your employer did not support your claim.
• You missed the deadline to report your injury.
• Your injury does not meet the requirements for compensation.
• You cannot prove the injury is actually work-related.

What happens if your workers compensation claim is not accepted?

If your workers’ compensation claim is not accepted, you will receive a letter outlining the particular reasoning behind that denial. However, there are a series of steps you can take to appeal for your workers’ compensation even if the claim is denied, including working with a workers’ compensation lawyer serving Racine, WI. Here are some simple guidelines to help you explore that process:

1. Read the denial letter thoroughly. This letter will enable you to get a better understanding of why your claim was denied. The specific details should help you know exactly what you need to correct on your claim throughout your next steps in the appeals process.  A good Racine, WI workers’ compensation lawyer can help you better understand this process.
2. Find the exact deadline requirement to file your appeal. This deadline should be explicitly outlined in the workers’ compensation denial letter you received. Some states may require 30 days for an appeal, while others may give you 3 months to outline your appeal. Make sure you know exactly when your deadline to appeal is.
3. Set up a meeting with your employer. This step is important so that both you and your employer can fully understand the situation at hand. Sometimes a claim may be denied due to minute clerical issues, so this would allow you and your employer to adjust accordingly.
4. Research the specific appeals process for your state. Some states have different appeals requirements from the necessary documents needed to prove your claim to the hearing process as a whole. A workers’ compensation lawyer working in Racine will best be able to help you understand how Wisconsin may apply to you.
5. Gather all of your necessary documents. This may include, but is not limited to, medical records, time sheets or other pieces of evidence for your claim. These documents should corroborate the extent and severity of your injury, the necessary treatment required for your injury and the exact date and time of your injury.

Once you are fully prepared with all the corroborating evidence and employer support in-hand, your case will then go to trial. Trials may vary, depending on which state your injury occurred in.

When To Report a Workplace Injury

If you are injured at work, you will have a lot going through your mind. Your first priority is probably receiving the medical attention you need, as it should be. You are probably aware that workers’ comp is a system that ensures that all injury-related expenses will be covered when the injury happens while working. However, you may not know what the right way to go about filing a workers’ comp claim in. In particular, many people do not know when they should report the injury. After reading this simple guide, you will know everything you need to know.

When To Report

The first thing you need to do to begin the workers’ comp filing process is report the injury to your employer. All employers are legally obligated to provide workers’ comp coverage and to file a claim when an injury is reported to them. It is important to begin this process as soon as you can. You should report the injury immediately when you are no longer concerned for your safety or health.

If you delay reporting the injury, you are increases the chances that your claim will be denied. If a report is not filed soon enough, then the opportunity to file may expire. Sometimes a delayed report makes a workers’ comp agency question the validity or seriousness of the injury, as well.

Additionally, it is important to report all injuries, even if you do not think it is serious. Minor injuries may become serious over time, and you may be denied coverage if you did not report it when it happened.

After You Have Reported

Once you have reported your injury to your employer, there is nothing else you need to do. It is now the responsibility of your employer to continue the filing process. You may be required to sign some paperwork at the direction of your employer, but you will not have to take the initiative on anything else. Do not sign anything that describes the events of the injury in a way you do not agree with, any non-workers’ comp settlement agreements, or any papers that waive your employers’ responsibility.

If you fear that your employer is not taking care of his or her workers’ comp responsibilities, then you can report your employer to the workers’ comp board directly. Depending on which state you work in, you may also be able to file a lawsuit against your employer for failing to provide workers’ comp coverage properly. You should speak with an attorney to learn more.

If you, or someone you know needs assistance navigating the workers’ compensation appeals process, you should reach out to an attorney. A professional workers’ compensation lawyer Racine, WI offers will be able to guide you through the process from beginning to end. Call Hickey & Turim today!

What to Know About Workers’ Compensation

How Do I Know if I Have Workers’ Compensation?

Before you seek out a workers compensation lawyer in Racine, WI, you probably want to make sure that your employer has workers’ compensation insurance in the first place. Most employers in the United States are required to hold some form of insurance for their employees. In Wisconsin, the odds are good that such insurance exists for you. All businesses in the state that meet any of the following criteria must hold workers’ compensation insurance:

• The business employs at least three full-time or part-time employees;
• The business employs one or more full-time or part-time employees that have received combined cross wages of $500 or more in a calendar quarter for work done in the state;
• The employer is a farmer who employs six or more workers on the same day for any 20 days in the calendar year.

Additionally, out-of-state employers that have employees working in Wisconsin require insurance filed with a company that is licensed to write workers’ comp in Wisconsin.

If you still want to make sure, you can look up your employer in the Wisconsin Compensation Rating Bureau to find out if you’re covered. Hickey & Turim, S.C. can also advise you on the nature of your coverage.

Proper Documentation of Work-Related Injuries

An essential part of making a workers’ compensation claim is having the facts straight. The benefits received depend on the circumstances of the injury or illness, especially if the case must be appealed following a denial. If you are injured, you should start a written record at the earliest opportunity to provide to your workers compensation lawyer in Racine, WI.

The date of injury, or the date when an occupational disease first manifests, is one of the most important facts to record. Next, you need the cause and nature of the injury or disease—including any machinery involved and the task you were performing—as well as the physical symptoms and afflicted body parts. Keep records of doctors visited, the dates on which you visited them and all medical expenses involved—ideally, keep copies of bills and receipts. Finally, take note of time lost from work due to recovery or disability. Other information, such as statements made to employers or insurance providers, can also be relevant, but these are the details most crucial to your claim.

If there were witnesses to the accident, it is important that you name them. Their accounts of the incident will be crucial. Your workers compensation lawyer in Racine, WI may need to speak with them if your case is disputed.

White Collar Workplace Accidents

Workplace accidents can happen at all kinds of job sites, and a qualified workers’ compensation lawyer in Racine, Wisconsin can help you get the financial compensation you require for a full recovery, whether you were hurt in a factory or hurt in an office.

While there’s no limit to the type of accident you may experience on the job, they all have one major thing in common: Filing a workers’ compensation claim means navigating a lot of red tape and jumping through a lot of hoops – a difficult challenge if you’re trying to focus on your physical recovery. Read on to learn more about common workplace accidents that can happen in the office, and get a better understanding about how a lawyer can help you get the care you deserve.

Am I Eligible for Workers’ Comp if I Work in an Office?

When people thing “workplace accident”, they usually think of heavy machinery and high-risk workplaces: Factories, gigantic warehouses, and construction sites to name a few examples. It makes sense. These job sites are full of dangerous equipment, and failing to take the proper safety precautions can lead to serious injury or even death. However, injuries happen all the time in the humblest of white collar offices, and they oftentimes go unreported.

If you work in an office, you have just as much a right to workers’ compensation as a worker at a construction site or warehouse. While the injuries you sustain in an office environment may be less severe than what you may encounter at other job sites, work-related injuries from a white collar job can still be debilitating and difficult to deal with.

Many people have heard of carpal tunnel syndrome caused by a lack of work station ergonomics. Some people don’t have adequate padding for their wrists while they work with a keyboard all day, and this can cause a painful constriction of the nerves on the underside of the wrist. However, carpal tunnel syndrome isn’t the be-all-end-all of white collar health problems.

Loose cables can cause nasty trips and falls. Improper lighting can cause headaches and even nausea. Spills in the break room can cause slips. And uncomfortable or inadequate seating can even cause back problems. White collar workplaces may not have tons of heavy machinery, but accidents can happen anywhere.

It’s important to ensure employees have a comfortable and safe work environment, to prevent these injuries, and a workers’ compensation lawyer in Racine, WI can help you determine if your employer dangerously neglected you and your colleagues.

Injured At Work? Here’s What To Do

The laws in the state of Wisconsin allow for a number of protections for workers who have been injured on the job. Since injuries and accidents are things that no one plans for, the appropriate course of action is not always clear. This can be stressful when you consider potential medical bills and loss of income due to missing work. A workplace injury is an unwelcome occurrence, but it is not one that you have to tackle alone. With the right information and a workers compensation lawyer in Racine, WI you can fight for the compensation you deserve and get your life back. Consider these tips to get started. 

Report The Injury In Writing 

If you get hurt on the job, your first move should be to let your employer know immediately. Local law firm Hickey & Turim SC advises their clients to notify their supervisor in writing. It is critical to have a written record of your injury so that a clear record can be established for the future. Verbal communication of an injury can be hard to verify and may hurt your case in the future.

Seek Medical Treatment 

If you’re ever hurt on the job, there are likely several things running through your head. It is reasonable to be concerned about bills and lost income. Still, your first priority is to look after your health. Seek medical treatment immediately. When you go and see a doctor, make sure that you hold on to any bills, receipts, and invoices that you get from the care provider. If you end up seeking a workers compensation lawyer in Racine, WI to handle your case, these documents will be needed for you to prove your medical expenses. 

Initial medical expenses are understandably stressful. Do not let this keep you from seeking treatment as this could worsen your condition. As a worker, you have the right to pursue benefits that reimburse you for your expenses. 

File A Claim for Worker’s Compensation 

You can file a claim for Worker’s Compensation through Wisconsin’s Department of Worker’s Development site. Be sure and notify your employer that you are doing this. It’s natural to feel uncomfortable when doing so. However, the attorneys at Hickey & Turim SC will assure you that you are not filing a lawsuit. You are simply asking for insurance benefits. Make sure that you keep a copy of your application for your records should you need to produce proof later. 

Get in Touch with a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today

Everyone deserves a shot at workers’ compensation if they’re hurt on the job, no matter what kind of job they do. If you’re unfortunate enough to experience an accident in the office, you shouldn’t feel embarrassed or intimidated. You should always report your injuries and apply for workers’ compensation if your injuries might prevent you from clocking in for work every day, and you should always reach out to a workers’ compensation lawyer if you have any questions about your case.

Don’t hesitate to learn more about how a lawyer can offer legal information and a helping hand with your workers’ compensation claim. Reach out to Hickey & Turim, S.C. and see how a workers’ compensation lawyer in Racine, WI can help you today.