If you or someone you love has been injured or made ill on the job and have not received full Worker Compensation benefits, we can help. Please call us at 1.800.966.4999 or fill out the form to the right of the page for immediate attention to your case. We will fight for you!
Workers’ Compensation “Reforms” Favor Businesses
Did you know that business-led Worker Compensation “reforms” can make it more difficult for you to get properly compensated?
For many years, reform of the worker compensation system has been necessary. Sadly, in many states business groups have been working to erode, not support, workers’ protections under Worker’s Compensation laws.
In the last decade especially, the original ideals of workers’ compensation have been undermined: it is difficult to begin establishing a case, and it takes longer to receive payments owed.
Here are examples of how some states have chipped away at workers’ rights:
- Workers are assigned a doctor by their company when filing a WC case, rather than being free to choose. In some cases this doctor is called an “Independent Medical Examiner” even though his or her “independence” is paid for by the company or the WC insurer.
- Benefits are cut off or reduced if the worker is capable of doing “any” work at all. In disability cases, some insurers will not pay WC benefits if the worker is at all able-bodied, regardless of whether the worker has the skills for other jobs or even regardless of whether any jobs are available.
- Benefits in some states end after 5 years, even if the worker’s impairment doesn’t. In some cases even dependent benefits for the families of workers killed on the job end after five years.
- Permanently disabled workers see their benefits end after age 65, even workers who aren’t eligible for Social Security.
- Heavier and heavier burdens of proof are placed on workers to show connections between their injuries or sickness and their jobs. Some states are attempting to define entire classes of injuries or illness as “non-occupational”.
Business pressure groups agitate for these WC “reforms” by claiming that many workers file fraudulent WC claims with the system. In reality, fraudulent WC claims are rare.
If WC laws are eroded, many injured or sick workers will be forced to seek public benefits. Without Workers’ Compensation, everyone pays.
Workers’ Compensation Lawsuits
Navigating the WC system while coping with the stress and upheaval caused by an injury or illness can be overwhelming. If you feel you are not receiving fair treatment in the handling of your Workers’ Compensation case, contact one of our experienced Workers’ Compensation attorneys to review your case today.
We can help. Please call us at 1.800.966.4999 or fill out the form to the right of the page for immediate attention to your case. We will fight for you!
