Guntersville, AL Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

When you get injured at work, there’s a lot to worry about. Many employees worry about being blamed for their own injuries, losing income, or being unable to cover their medical expenses. That’s why Alabama has a strong workers’ compensation system. It allows injured employees to get the compensation they need for workplace injuries while also offering employers protection from personal injury lawsuits.

However, getting the money you deserve from the workers’ comp system is not always as easy as it should be. Learn more about your options now by contacting Weaver Tidmore at 205-980-6065 to discuss your case with a Guntersville workers’ comp attorney.

Alabama Workers’ Compensation Laws

Payments are governed by the Alabama Workers’ Compensation Act. Under this act, employers that have at least five employees (either part-time or full-time) must have workers’ compensation insurance. To collect workers’ compensation, you do not have to prove that your employer was responsible for the accident or caused the circumstances that led to your accident. Furthermore, you do not have to prove that you did not cause the accident.

You must also get all necessary care to receive benefits. For example, if your doctor recommends physical therapy and you fail to go to your appointments, you cannot continue receiving workers’ comp payments in Guntersville—your failure to adhere to medical instructions indicates that you are not taking your recovery seriously. Additionally, the doctor you see must be authorized by the insurance provider.

What You Get with Workers’ Compensation Benefits

There are several types of benefits covered under the umbrella of workers’ compensation in Guntersville:

• Medical expenses. The insurance company must pay for all necessary medical care and rehabilitative care related to your workplace injury or illness. This may include vocational rehabilitation, which helps you return to your previous level of workplace activity.
• Workers’ compensation must also pay out for the wages you lose while you are away from work. The amount you get is a percentage of your average weekly wage.
• Death benefits. Should an injury cause your death within three years of the injury, your dependents will receive death benefits.

Within the category of income replacement, the type of compensation you receive may differ. Your benefits may be temporary or permanent and partial or total. Temporary total benefits are paid out to those who are completely disabled but are expected to make a full recovery, and temporary partial benefits are paid to those who can do some work activities but will eventually return to their regular level of work.

Permanent total benefits compensate those who are completely disabled and are not expected to recover. Permanent partial benefits are paid to those who retain some mobility and ability to work but are not expected to heal past their current level of disability.

How to Protect Your Workers’ Comp Claim

Although the workers’ compensation program is designed to be streamlined and simple, there are still numerous ways you can damage your claim and have it denied. Use these tips to navigate the Guntersville, AL workers’ compensation system without stress or delay:

• Report and document the accident immediately. There is a strict deadline for filing a workers’ compensation claim. Furthermore, if you wait too long to report the accident to your employer, they may claim that it didn’t actually happen at work. Immediately report the accident to your supervisor, take note of anyone who observed the accident, and jot down a recollection of the accident as soon as you can.
• Get medical attention right away. Go to an approved facility to get your injury checked out right away. The longer you wait to document an injury, the harder it is to prove that it was caused by a workplace accident. Keep copies of any records, bills, or receipts you receive.

• Submit all necessary paperwork before the deadline. To file a claim, you have to submit specific paperwork and documentation of your injury. Do it as soon as you can to avoid unintentional delays.
• Avoid talking about the accident to anyone outside your attorney and employer. If your employer uses a sketchy workers’ compensation insurance company, they may look for any reason to deny your claim. Anything you post on social media or tell people around you could damage your claim.

What to Do If Your Claim is Disputed

If all goes well, your claim will be approved promptly, and you’ll start receiving benefits in a timely manner. But there are many times where it isn’t that easy. Workers’ compensation insurance companies make the most money when they don’t pay out claims, so they will deny or delay your claim if there is any reason to do so.

Companies that deny claims often do so because:

• They believe the employee was impaired at the time of the accident
• They think the accident happened outside the scope of work and the employee is trying to get workers’ compensation to pay for it
• They believe that there was no accident
• They think the employee is exaggerating the accident and their injuries

The fear of paying out an invalid claim is no reason to deny you the benefits you deserve. Hiring an attorney is the fastest way to show the insurance company that you are taking this seriously and you won’t be bullied. Your attorney will know what type of evidence the insurance company is looking for and how you can prove your injuries.

In some situations, a one-time settlement is a better option that weekly payments, particularly if you are facing permanent disability. This is difficult to calculate, though; how can you determine the value of a permanent loss of income? You can trust your Guntersville workers’ comp lawyer to negotiate on your behalf and ensure that the insurance company treats you fairly.

Turn to Weaver Tidmore for Help with Your Workers’ Comp Claim

Everyone deserves fair treatment after a workplace injury, but many insurance companies do whatever they can to avoid payout. Fight this trend by hiring a Guntersville workers’ compensation lawyer to help you with your claim. Whether you have been denied or you aren’t receiving your benefits in a timely manner, let Weaver Tidmore LLC help. Give us a call at 205-980-6065 or reach out to us online to learn more about your options.