After you have been injured at work, it can be easy to feel as though the deck is stacked against you. Not only are you out of work for a period of time, but your medical bills pile up quickly, demanding financial attention that you are simply unable to give. Meanwhile, you may be caught in a battle with your employer or their workers’ compensation insurance company over the details of your accident and injuries.
Workers’ compensation benefits can be a lifesaver when the process goes smoothly. Ideally, you are out of work for a short time and can return to your old job feeling 100 percent. You are able to pay your medical bills as well as receive supplemental income while you are hurt. Many people are lucky enough to enjoy a fairly easy workers’ compensation process, but for some, it is only a hassle.
How Do I Know When to Enlist the Help of an Attorney?
If you have never dealt with an attorney before, the decision of when to hire one can be a big catch-22. You may feel obligated to hire an attorney to give your case the best odds of success, but you may feel torn spending the money when you are already unsure if you will receive workers’ compensation benefits to begin with.
As attorneys, we want to be the first to let you know that you may not need our help. If your injuries only keep you out of work for a short time and you are able to return once you are healed, your case is fairly simple. Hopefully, your employer and their insurer are on the same page, and are doing everything they can to help you get back on your feet. If your case is facing no conflict, there is really very little need for an attorney.
Of course, not every case is going to be that simple. There are many complicating factors that can turn what should be a simple process for obtaining benefits into a tooth-and-nail fight to finish. If you are experiencing any of the following, hiring an attorney may be in your best interest:
- You may be unable to return to work at full capacity
- Your injuries have long-term effects and may require lifelong care
- You had a pre-existing condition that complicated your case
- Your employer is arguing the details of your case
When you are seriously injured and are looking at the potential of long-term consequences from your injury, hiring an attorney can ensure that you receive the care you need both today as well as the future.
At Schmidt Kramer, our Lancaster workers’ compensation attorneys are well-versed in the laws and regulations governing your rights and benefits, and will work hard to make sure that your rights are protected. To schedule a consultation with us, contact one of our offices today by phone, or by clicking on the live chat feature.