Plymouth Workers’ Compensation Attorney Upholding Workers’ Rights Throughout Massachusetts
Getting injured on the job can present a major struggle for workers in Plymouth and throughout Massachusetts. There are many laws meant to protect workers from becoming injured on the job and to protect them if something unfortunate does happen to them while working. However, filing for workers’ compensation can be tricky without an experienced workers’ compensation attorney guiding you along the way.
Workers’ compensation is put into place to protect employees with disability benefits and other compensation and it is also in place to protect employers from certain liabilities. Many view workers’ compensation as a favorable function for both sides.
But this doesn’t always turn out to be true in reality. While employers are expected to fulfill their side of things if they want workers to file for benefits, some unnecessarily make it difficult for employees to do so and cause them stress and financial struggle as they try to get what they deserve.
Walter Kelley helps clients navigate the workers’ compensation claims process to ensure fairness for employees throughout Massachusetts. He is a workers’ compensation attorney in Plymouth who has been fighting for the rights of people with injuries on the job for many years and has the knowledge and experience needed to represent you with your workers’ comp case.
One of the things Walter Kelley does to help his clients get the benefits they deserve is telling them about all of their options. They need to know that they have choices, such as a temporary disability program or short-term medical leave from work instead of filing for long-term disability benefits at work if they only need time off for treatment. Having access to these programs can mean having more money in your pocket right away without waiting months or even years before getting paid through workers’ comp cases.
And knowing how to navigate through this process ahead of time means you are less likely to make mistakes that could end up costing you money.
This is why it’s important to talk with a workers’ compensation attorney in Plymouth, MA when you are ready to file your claim and begin receiving medical care for your injuries. An attorney will help you understand what benefits you’re entitled to from work after getting injured. Injury lawyers who understand workers’ compensation laws can be a valuable ally when filing a claim for a work-related injury. Seek the representation you deserve today. Call Walter Kelley at (617) 295-7319 to get the trusted and dedicated representation you deserve for your personal injury matter.
When Can I File for Workers’ Compensation?
Soon after suffering a work-related injury, you may be wondering what your options are. In general, if you get hurt on the job, you should consider filing a workers’ compensation claim as soon as possible. While the process may seem intimidating, you need to have a basic understanding of how it works in Massachusetts. Once that is clear, your best option is to speak with a workers’ compensation attorney about filing your case.
Workers’ compensation benefits are paid by your employer or by an insurance company if your employer doesn’t carry workers’ comp coverage.
Not every injury received at work will qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. There may be a gray area depending on the circumstances of your injury. To clarify your eligibility, consulting with a workers’ compensation attorney is beneficial.
There are many advantages to working with a lawyer when filing your workers’ compensation claim. First, it is a legal obligation to file with the Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA) after you or your doctor determines that a work-related injury occurred. The Department of Industrial Accidents will assist you in completing the process but they have no interest in ensuring that you get the benefits you deserve.
This may make them less helpful than an experienced attorney would be when it comes to guiding you through the complicated workers’ comp process and fight for what you are owed under state law. If your employer’s insurance carrier refuses to accept responsibility for your injury, hiring an attorney can help ensure you get the settlement you deserve for any work-related injury or illness you may have suffered on the job.
If you have suffered a workplace injury in Plymouth, MA, or are undergoing treatment for one after being injured at work, contact Walter Kelley today to discuss your options with an experienced workers’ comp attorney.
Can I File for Workers’ Compensation on My Own?
You can file for a workers’ compensation claim on your own but it is always advisable to have a workers’ compensation lawyer represent you. A workers’ compensation attorney can provide you with legal advice and assistance to help you with the entire process. Since workers’ comp claims are complex, your lawyer can advise you on what evidence to submit, how best to present your claim, what types of medical reports will be required for your case, and many other matters which might influence the outcome of your claim.
The first step when filing for workers’ compensation is to gather all relevant information regarding the injury or illness that led to the claim. You should arrange for medical treatment as soon as possible because it is crucial evidence for proving that the injuries are compensable under workers’ compensation law. Do not delay this process and make sure all reports from medical providers are accurate and thorough. Also, do not forget about physical therapy or chiropractic treatments which can be beneficial going forward. You should also write down exactly what happened during the incident as well as arrange for any necessary documentation such as photos or video recordings of the injury/event, doctors’ treatment records, medical invoices, prescriptions for medications, and other evidence that might be useful to prove the extent of your injuries.
Workers’ compensation law is complex and even the smallest mistake can be costly for your workers’ comp claim. If you were hurt at work, seeking the help of workers’ compensation lawyers can improve your chances of getting the benefits and compensation you deserve.
What are the Benefits of Hiring a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
Injured workers have many rights that protect their livelihoods after a work-related injury or illness. However, many injured workers do not know where to begin when it comes to going through the workers’ compensation claims process. Workers’ compensation attorneys in Plymouth and surrounding areas have experience assisting workers with their workers’ compensation claims, and they can help you get the compensation that you deserve.
When injured at work, your medical treatment is covered by workers’ comp but other expenses may not be. A workers’ compensation attorney can explain what benefits, if any, a worker is entitled to, sometimes including:
- The costs of out-of-pocket health care expenses such as co-pays or deductibles related to the workplace injury or illness;
- Full pay during recovery from an injury
- Additional dependent support
- Permanent partial disability benefits
- Reasonable and necessary job retraining expenses incurred because of a work-related injury or illness
- Reasonable and necessary expenses associated with traveling to receive medical treatment
- Temporary total disability or temporary partial disability payments if you are unable for a short time to perform your job due to injury or illness
- Special awards for severe injuries such as loss of a limb or permanent brain damage, etc.
These benefits can be lifesavers, especially when you need to make ends meet while recovering for a return to work. Especially if you have lost pay or have suffered permanent damage that can restrict your ability to work for a long time, you should consider seeking legal help to assist you with your workers’ comp claim.
The workers’ comp system is complex. Walter Kelley can help workers who have been injured at work because he understands the rules, regulations, and laws in place that protect workers like you and he can fight aggressively on your behalf against insurance companies that may be trying to deny benefits that are owed. Contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney today. They will explain how the system works and they will fight for your rights, at the negotiating table or in court when needed.
How Important Is It to Hire Workers’ Compensation Lawyers?
The importance of hiring a workers’ comp attorney cannot be overstated. However, many workers are reluctant to consult lawyers for legal advice. For example, a worker might think that the employer will terminate them if they hire a workers’ comp attorney and therefore believes that they must represent themselves throughout their case This is not true — it is illegal for an employer to fire you because you have a workers’ compensation lawyer representing your claim.
With that in mind, it is important to understand not every injury attorney in Massachusetts is well-versed in workers’ comp laws on the state and federal levels. Hiring an experienced workers’ comp lawyer to receive medical benefits, cover lost wages, medical bills, and other damages can help you receive the full workers’ compensation benefits to which you are legally entitled. Plymouth workers’ comp attorney Walter Kelley has many years of experience representing clients who have been hurt on the job as well as their families and dependents in workers’ compensation claims and lawsuits.
Walter Kelley will represent your interests through each aspect of the Massachusetts workers’ compensation process — from filing your initial claim with the insurance company to obtaining medical treatment for your injuries to negotiating a favorable settlement offer or representing you at trial if necessary. Call Walter Kelley at (617) 295-7319 and get the legal representation you deserve to get justice for your injuries.
