When a worker gets hurt on the job, their first instinct is usually to discuss the situation with their employer. After all, reports are usually mandatory if someone needs workers’ compensation benefits. Typically, employees take for granted that they can manage the entire process by cooperating with their employers.
However, some workers find themselves facing more challenging claims than others. Those facing conflict instead of support from an employer may need to communicate with an attorney familiar with workers’ compensation claims.
Claim denials may force someone to take legal action
There are several negative reactions on the part of an employer that could force an employee to learn more about their legal rights. The most obvious is when an employer attempts to deny a worker’s benefits claim. Employers might try to claim that a worker got hurt somewhere else or that their injury isn’t actually serious enough to affect their job responsibilities. Companies might also try to claim that intoxication on the job caused their injuries. Workers may need assistance validating their claim that their job caused their condition and that the injury was not the result of intoxication.
Workers need help with medical care issues
It can be difficult for a worker to know their options if their employer or the health care provider overseeing their claim recommends what seems like inappropriate medical interventions or refuses to approve treatment that is the current standard for a certain type of injury. Other times, there could be a disagreement about whether or not the worker is ready to return to their job. The company or the healthcare provider might insist the worker should be able to get back to work, but the employee could still have symptoms that affect their job performance.
Complicating factors make claims difficult
If a claim relates to a pre-existing condition, workers may need help pursuing benefits. Any complex cases, including those that involve third-party liability, may also require legal guidance. If another business caused the incident by producing defective power tools, that can complicate the workers’ compensation claims process.
Finally, scenarios in which companies mistreat workers, possibly by denying accommodations so that a worker can continue their employment, may also justify getting the help of a legal professional. Workers should not have to worry about retaliation from a business if they report an incident that injures them, request a leave of absence from work or file a workers’ compensation claim.
Anyone facing a complex claim or misconduct on the part of their employer may need the assistance of an attorney while they handle their workers’ compensation issue. Recognizing when professional support is necessary can make a major difference for someone with a job-acquired health challenge.
