A few things in life are as worse as suffering an ergonomic work injury. Unfortunately, workplace accidents are not rare or unusual in Virginia. Employers in the state are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, which provides benefits to injured workers. For most injured workers, the biggest concern is getting a fair settlement for their claims. In this Virginia workers compensation guide, we are discussing more on deciding the worth of your claim.
What are ergonomic work injuries?
There are different types of ergonomic work injuries. The first one is overexertion. If you have sustained injuries because of working physically hard at work, you may have a valid claim. Other examples include bodily reactions, falls, being struck by objects at work leading to injuries, and other injuries caused by repeated motion. You can also seek workers’ compensation benefits if you sustained injuries because of chemical spills or exposure to materials that are toxic in nature.
Understanding workers’ compensation settlement
It is possible to decide on a settlement as long as it is acceptable to both sides. The components of workers’ compensation settlement typically include future wage losses, the need for future medical treatment, and the potential case of permanent impairment. However, the settlement doesn’t cover the pain and suffering that someone has endured because of their injury. There is no one formula to determine the worth of your claim. The answer depends on several factors, including the nature and extent of injuries, if the injury is likely to impact someone’s ability to earn and have a normal life, and if the insurance company accepted the claim.
Do you need a workers’ compensation lawyer?
The short answer is yes, but this is not mandatory by law. Remember that insurance companies are not there to pay for claims and settlements. In fact, the claims adjuster will try to find ways to deny or undermine your claim because it is their loss to pay you. Always have an attorney on your side so that you don’t settle for anything less than what you should get. Also, if your claim is denied, you will need a lawyer to deal with the appeal and further steps.
Most lawyers would be happy to offer a free evaluation of your claim, and you can discuss all the key aspects to find more on how you can maximize your settlement. Ideally, you should hire a lawyer without much delay.
