Hiring a workers’ compensation attorney in Washington DC is crucial for protecting your income and access to proper medical care after a job-related injury. Without legal support, you may accidentally miss the deadline to file your claim or accept less benefits than you’re truly owed. Contact us to discuss your legal options in a free consultation today.
When you work with a lawyer, the insurance companies almost always take you more seriously right from the beginning, giving you the best chance of obtaining everything you are entitled to, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Some of the specific ways an attorney helps you is by:
- Gathering all necessary medical records and documentation to prove that your injury is severe and you need help
- Speak with witnesses who saw the accident or have witnessed how it has negatively affected your life
- Completing and filing complicated paperwork with the workers’ compensation board and insurance companies
- Making sure everything is done on time so you don’t miss your chance to recover benefits and compensation
- Communicating directly with insurers and employers so you don’t accidentally say something that harms your case
- Identifying and valuing all available benefits, including wage loss, medical bills, rehabilitation, and future care
- Contesting unfair denials and challenging improper medical determination
- Advocating for you in hearings or mediation, presenting your side professionally with evidence and legal arguments
- Protecting you from workplace retaliation or intimidation after filing a claim
- Helping you with a return-to-work plan that may include modified duties
- Negotiating settlements and guiding you through any final agreements to ensure they reflect your real needs and losses
Ultimately, your DC work injury lawyer can help you at every single phase of the process and make sure you’re taking the right steps.
A Lawyer Will Help You Determine if You Also Have The Right to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit
A workers’ compensation attorney doesn’t just help with your standard claim. They’ll carefully assess the circumstances of your accident to identify whether a third party, such as another business or individual separate from your employer, shares responsibility for your injury.
This investigation might reveal liability on the part of a property owner who failed to fix a hazard, an equipment manufacturer whose product was defective, a subcontractor acting negligently, or even a careless driver involved in an incident while you were on the job.
If the facts support it, your lawyer will guide you through the process of filing a personal injury lawsuit in addition to your workers’ comp claim, maximizing your potential recovery and holding all responsible parties to account.
Why Third Party Lawsuits Are Important
Third party lawsuits offer crucial benefits unavailable through standard workers’ compensation. While workers’ comp typically covers only part of your wage loss, a successful personal injury lawsuit can provide the full extent of your lost wages as well as income you will miss on in the future.
You’ll also be entitled to pain and suffering, emotional distress, out-of-pocket expenses, and loss of enjoyment of life or companionship, which are not compensated through a workers’ compensation claim.
By exploring these additional avenues, your lawyer ensures you aren’t leaving money on the table and your long-term well-being is properly addressed.
If you have any questions about why it’s beneficial to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer or you’re just ready to get started and want to know what your options are, we’re here for you. Call us at (202) 919-5453 today to schedule a free consultation.