Have you been injured in a workplace accident, suffered an on the job injury or have been somehow hurt while carrying out a work related task in the Kennett Square area? If you have you may be entitled to benefits and various forms of financial compensation for your injuries, medical expenses and lost wages. You should seek the guidance of an experienced Kennett Square Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Attorney.
Please feel free to contact me, Kennett Square Pennsylvania Workmans’ Compensation Lawyer James V. Monaghan for a free cinsultation. I serve those injured at work in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery abd Philadelphia County and charge no fee unless I recover for you.
Why You Need A Workers Comp Lawyer
A very common question among Chester County injured workers is whether they really need a Vermont lawyer if their workers’ compensation claim is being paid (i.e. is “accepted”). I’ve encountered several people who say to me “boy, if someone needs an attorney for their workers comp claim, it must be really bad.” The truth is, a Kennett Square workers comp lawyer can do a lot more than simply help you fight the insurance company if/when they deny your Vermont workers’ compensation claim. Even with accepted claims, a lawyer can ensure that the insurance company doesn’t prematurely terminate your benefits, that you don’t do anything to jeopardize your claim, and that you get each and every benefit you’re entitled to.
It’s absolutely true that some Kennett Square work related injuries may not require an attorney’s involvement. But what about the claims that have been accepted by the insurance company, but for some reason are becoming a major headache? Retaining a Chester County workers’ comp attorney will ensure someone is holding the insurer’s feet to the fire and ensure that your weekly checks — which are vital to your family’s livelihood — must be paid. It will ensure that when your doctor says you need a little more physical therapy, or should try a new prescription, the insurance company doesn’t balk at that request.
Similarly, many injured employees don’t realize the full extent of the workers’ compensation benefits they’re entitled to, and the insurance companies often don’t volunteer that information. For example, just because you only missed a couple months from work doesn’t mean lost wages are the only “indemnity benefits” to which you’re entitled. In addition to TTD, you’re also entitled to a permanency rating and may be entitled to significant PPD benefits. Hiring an attorney will ensure that the insurance company doesn’t avoid paying you everything Vermont law allows. This is especially important when your injury — however minor — could have lasting effects well into the future.
Of course, having a lawyer is most helpful when your workers’ compensation claim has been denied, especially when the Pennsylvania Department of Labor upholds that denial. Insurance companies will look for every possible basis to deny your claim — whether its a preexisting condition or a short delay in reporting the injury to your employer. If they find a foothold to deny your claim, they’ll file a Form 2 denial with the Department of Labor. The problem is, the Department of Labor may not pay much attention unless you appeal that denial. If you don’t have a lawyer to fight it, there’s a good chance you won’t receive any workers’ compensation benefits! I know the tactics these insurance companies use because from 2011 through 2013, I represented insurance companies. I saw them deny claims with no reasonable basis, and I saw employees with legitimate injuries simply decide not to fight. When you hire a Vermont workers comp lawyer like me, the insurance company will be held accountable for frivolously denying legitimate claims. I will participate in the Department of Labor’s proceeding deal with the insurance company they try to play games. That way you can focus on healing and hopefully getting back to providing for yourself and your family.
The Cost To Retain A Kennett Square Work Comp Attorney
Many people are afraid that hiring a Chester County, Pennsylvania workers’ compensation lawyer means they won’t get as much money for their claim, because the lawyer will take some of it too. In reality, however, you will likely end up receiving greater benefits if you hire an attorney than if you don’t — and you’ll avoid the headaches of handling the claim yourself. Moreover, as opposed to some Kennett Square workers’ comp lawyers, I don’t take anything from the weekly TTD checks you get from your Pennsylvania workers’ compensation claim. Instead, I will take only a percentage of any lump sum payment the insurance company eventually agrees (or is ordered) to pay you. If the insurance carrier is interested, I will also help you negotiate a final settlement of your claim, usually resulting in a large payment to you for the lasting effects of your injury. Without an experienced Chester County workmans’ comp attorney, the insurance company is guaranteed to offer you much less than your claim is worth. I personally witnessed many settlements in which an injured employee without a lawyer agreed to take tens of thousands of dollars less than he or she could have demanded. The risk of ultimately not retaining a Kennstt Square workers comp lawyer is that you may end up receiving far less than you would have received even after your lawyer was paid.
In the end, hiring a workers’ comp lawyer to help you navigate an accepted workers’ compensation claim, or fight against a denied claim, is a personal decision that will depend on your level of comfort in dealing with insurance adjusters, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor, and attorneys on your own. Some claims are straightforward and can be handled without assistance. The key, however, is not missing out on additional benefits by assuming the insurance company has paid you everything you’re entitled to. I have years of experience with insurance companies, attorneys, and the Department of Labor, and would be happy to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Contact A Kennett Square Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Please call me, Chester County Workers’ Compensation Attorney James V. Monaghan for a free consultation. I have many years experience handling workers’ comp claims in Southeastern Pennsylvania including the Abington, Ambler, Chester, Doylestown, West Chester, Plymouth Meeting, King of Prussia, Blue Bell, New Hope, Media, Bristol, Wayne and Center City Philadelphia areas.