Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Racine, WI
If you were injured or became ill as a result of work-related activities, it’s important to connect with a workers’ compensation lawyer Racine, WI residents trust before committing to a particular legal strategy. Too often, injured or ill workers assume that they’re eligible for workers’ compensation benefits and workers’ compensation benefits alone. In reality, there are circumstances under which those who have suffered harm while on the job can file both personal injury claims and requests for workers’ compensation benefits. Speaking with a lawyer now will help to ensure that you are awarded any and all compensation to which you are entitled.
When Can I File Both Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury Claims?
The instinct to simply file a workers’ compensation benefits claim and move on is understandable. The vast majority of full-time and part-time employees in Wisconsin and throughout the United States are eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits in the event that they suffer physical harm as a result of their work-related activities. Under most circumstances, eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits limits the liability of employers such that workers cannot sue their employers for the harm they’ve suffered while on the job. However, the limited liability that employers enjoy as a result of the ways in which the workers’ compensation system is structured does not extend to third parties. As a result, if a third party contributed to your injury or illness, you may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury action simultaneously.
Personal injury actions related to occupational injury and illness are often filed against motorists who hit workers traveling as part of their job-related duties and manufacturers of dangerous and defective products. You don’t have to “know for sure” whether a third party contributed to the harm you’re suffering to explore the possibility of filing a third party personal injury action with the assistance of an experienced Racine, WI workers’ compensation lawyer. Sometimes, it takes a little investigation into the circumstances surrounding harm to discern whether a third party played a role in that harm. Our team can help to clarify your options once we learn more about your unique circumstances.
When someone is injured on the job, he or she is typically covered by workers’ compensation and may be seeking the help of a Racine, WI workers’ compensation lawyer from Hickey & Turim SC Law Firm. Though there are some exceptions to the rule, most employees in the nation have this protection. If you’ve been injured and are in the process of filing a claim, the following are five benefits that are generally covered.
5 Benefits Covered By Workers’ Comp
1. Medical Expenses
Injuries can bring with them emergency room visits, follow up care, physical therapy, medical visit transportation, and more. If you’re looking at the dollar signs, rest easy knowing workers’ comp generally covers most, if not all, of these expenses. It’s possible you will be required to see certain physicians in order to receive compensation, so be sure to look into that with the workers’ comp provider before you seek care. Your Racine, Wisconsin workers’ compensation lawyer can help with this.
2. Time Off Work
When you’re injured to the point you can’t go back to work, workers’ compensation steps in to bridge the gap in your income. In most cases, it’s a benefit of 66.67% of an employee’s average earnings each week. The amount of time you receive this benefit will vary based on your coverage and your injury, but it will not exceed two years.
3. Death Benefits
If the injury sustained at the workplace ends up resulting in death, the deceased’s dependents will receive compensation. In many states, they receive a lump sum payment in addition to burial expenses. You should speak with a workers’ compensation lawyer Racine, WI trusts to understand the death benefits from workers’ compensation in your state.
4. Vocational Rehab
Sometimes an injury will result in an employee being required to seek a new course of work. For example, if you have a job in which you are on your feet all day, and your injury resulted in having your left leg amputated, you may not be able to perform your regular job anymore. Workers’ comp would step in to pay for education for a new course of work, or for job retraining so you can learn to do your job without one leg.
5. Permanent Physical Impairment
Permanent disabilities are unique because they last longer than a typical injury. These permanent physical impairments could limit an individual’s ability to do a current job, or even to gain new employment in the future. With this limitation, the individual might need some financial compensation.
Contacting Your Racine, WI Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
As someone who was injured while performing your regular work duties, you deserve to be compensated. Contact a workers’ compensation lawyer in Racine, WI today to learn more about your rights and what you should do to receive the compensation you’re entitled to.
Signs You Need to Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
A question many injured workers have is whether or not they should hire a workers’ compensation lawyer in Racine, WI. While simple cases may not require legal representation, more complicated cases could benefit from a lawyer’s help. Here are some signs you need to hire a lawyer for your workers’ compensation case.
- Your employer has denied your claim. Not all workers’ compensation claims are approved the first time around. Employers may choose to deny claims for one reason or another. For example, if your employer believes that you did not actually suffer the injury at work, he or she may deny your claim. However, that does not mean you have to give up. A skilled workers compensation lawyer can help you file an appeal.
- Your settlement offer is not sufficient. Just because your employer approved your workers’ compensation claim, does not mean it is enough to cover all of your medical bills and lost wages. You should not have to pay a portion of them out of your own pocket. If this is the case, it is time to speak to a lawyer. He or she will try to negotiate a better settlement offer.
- Your injury resulted in disability. If your work injury has rendered you partially or permanently disabled, you may be eligible for more compensation. However, disability payments are very costly for insurance companies, so they may do what it takes to avoid paying you a fair amount. That’s another good reason to have an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer on your side.
- A third-party contributed to your injury. If you get injured at work, you can only file a workers’ compensation claim. The law will not permit you to file a lawsuit against your employer. On the other hand, if there is a third-party involved, you may be able to file a lawsuit against that person. For example, if you have to drive a vehicle as part of your job and another driver hit your vehicle, you may sue that driver.
- Your employer has retaliated against you. Believe it or not, some employers become angry at their workers for filing workers’ compensation claims and retaliate against them. If your employer has cut your pay, demoted you or fired you after you filed for workers’ compensation, you should get in touch with a lawyer immediately.
Legal Assistance Is Available
If you’ve suffered a work-related injury or been diagnosed with an occupational illness, avoid making assumptions about your legal options until you’ve spoken with the experienced legal team at Hickey & Turim S.C. Our team is proud to represent the interests of injured and ill workers and we’d be honored to assess your case on your behalf in a confidential, risk-free consultation setting. Once we’ve provided you with personalized guidance about your options, we will do whatever we can to support the informed decisions you ultimately make about those options. If you haven’t already scheduled a consultation with our firm’s Racine, WI workers’ compensation lawyer team, please do so now to learn more; we look forward to speaking with you.
