Workplace injuries are all too common, especially in high-risk industries such as construction or utility work. Fortunately, workers’ compensation insurance can help provide coverage to workers who are hurt on the job. This means that if you or a loved one suffered losses due to a work-related accident, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
To receive a workers’ compensation settlement, you must be eligible for benefits and file a workers’ comp claim immediately after sustaining your workplace injury.
Also, while there is no set amount of time between filing a claim and receiving a workers’ comp settlement offer, some people may start receiving benefits immediately, and others may have to wait longer to settle their claim.
To help you better understand what to expect, we at Schwartzapfel Lawyers can provide you with all the information you need about how workers’ compensation is processed and how settlements are calculated.
Additionally, we recommend that you discuss your case with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer to determine when you will likely receive your settlement. At Schwartzapfel Lawyers, we can help you find the right lawyer when you visit us online or call 1-516-342-2200 today!
How Do You File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
If you were injured in a workplace accident, you may not be able to receive benefits unless you take action. In point of fact, before you can receive a workers’ compensation award, you must first file a workers’ compensation claim.
To ensure that your case is properly filed and to maximize the benefits you receive, there are several steps should take, including but not limited to:
- Seek Medical Attention: After any type of accident, you should first see a doctor or qualified medical health professional who can properly treat your injuries. This helps to ensure that you receive adequate care without delay and also provides evidence of your injuries. Note: You will likely need to submit medical documentation when filing your claim.
- Notify Your Employer: You must notify your employer of a workplace accident within (30) days of the incident. Once they are notified, they can begin their end of the workers’ compensation insurance process. Moreover, notifying your employer as soon as possible can serve as a record of the accident and your injuries.
- Gather Documentation: To strengthen your case and receive all the money and benefits you are entitled to, you should gather as much documentation as possible about the accident. This can include but isn’t limited to: medical documents, accident reports, witness statements, any nearby camera footage, as well as your own detailed recollection of events.
- Hire the Right Lawyer: The right lawyer can make a big difference in your case. They can help you gather all the information you need for your case and fill out the necessary paperwork when filing a claim. A seasoned lawyer will work for you against an opposing party and make sure you recover all the benefits you are eligible for.
The skilled workers’ compensation lawyers at Schwartzapfel Lawyerswould be honored to fight for you while you recuperate from your injuries. Call us now at 1-516-342-2200 to speak with one at no charge!
Do You Qualify for Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
While workers who are injured on the job are likely eligible for workers’ compensation, there are certain qualifications you must fulfill to receive any benefits.
When filing your case, you will want to make sure you check off the following boxes:
- You are an employee of a company or business with workers’ compensation insurance.
- You were injured in the workplace or while in the performance of work-related duties.
- You received medical treatment after an accident and can provide medical documentation of your injuries.
- You filed your workers’ compensation claim on time.
Even if you are unsure if you are eligible for workers’ compensation, you should not be discouraged from filing a claim. For more information about qualifications, speak with a member of the Schwartzapfel Lawyers team directly by calling 1-516-342-2200 now!
How Is Workers’ Compensation Calculated?
When filing any claim, many ask how much they can expect to receive in a settlement. While settlement amounts can vary greatly between cases, understanding what impacts your settlement can help you determine how much you may be able to receive.
Several factors can affect your settlement. Here are a few of them and what they could mean for you:
- The severity or intensity of an accident.
- The severity or intensity of your injuries as a result of an accident.
- Whether your injuries will have a long-term negative impact on your health and well-being.
And while speaking with the right lawyer is the best way to learn about the kind of settlement you can expect to receive, you should know that the national average for workers’ compensation settlementsranges between less than $10,000 and above $90,000.
What Is Covered by Workers’ Compensation?
Through workers’ compensation insurance, an NYS worker who has been injured in relation to their job may be covered for the following accident-related expenses:
- Medical Expenses: Medical coverage can include but isn’t limited to provider treatments, procedures, hospital stays, doctor visits, rehabilitation, physical therapy, medication, and assistive devices.
- Lost Income and Wages: If you cannot work due to your injuries, you may receive coverage for wages and income you miss out on while in recovery. In most cases, however, you will likely only receive coverage for a percentage of your normal weekly wage. Lost wage benefits begin after the fourteenth missed day of work. Note: You may not be eligible for lost wage insurance if your employer continues to pay you while you are being treated for your injuries.
- Other Compensation: If a workplace accident leads to long-term impairment and/or disability, you may be eligible to receive lump sum compensation asides from medical and income coverage.
In effect, your workers’ compensation settlement will depend on the kind of coverage you are eligible to receive. This is why if you are unsure about the money and benefits you can claim, we suggest you speak with a skilled and detail-oriented lawyer right away.
To this end, one of the workers’ comp attorneys at Schwartzapfel Lawyers can help you with your claim. Give us a call at 1-516-342-2200 to have all your questions answered now!
Getting Your Workers’ Compensation Settlement
The time it takes to receive your workers’ compensation settlement will likely depend on the complexities of your case and how long it takes for your case to be processed and settled.
Moreover, it is possible that you may not receive all of your workers’ compensation insurance benefits in one lump sum.
That said, if you are eligible for lost wage insurance through your workers’ compensation claim, you may bein receiving weekly benefits within two (2) to three (3) weeks of your injury. In some cases, you may also start receiving medical benefits while in treatment.
Enlisting the help of an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can strengthen your chances of receiving the settlement you deserve in a timely manner. The right lawyer will have all the resources and knowledge needed to successfully pursue your workers’ compensation claim.
On that note, the award-winning team of Schwartzapfel Lawyers has the experience and qualifications to best support you – legally, financially, and otherwise. To speak with a legal representative who can champion your workers’ compensation or personal injury case, call 1-516-342-2200 today. It will be our honor and privilege to fight – and win – for you!
DISCLAIMER: Nothing on this page should be considered legal advice. You should seek the appropriate counsel your situation requires. For more information, call 1-516-342-2200 now!
Sources:
Schwartzapfel Lawyers, P.C. | Fighting For You™™
Who is Covered by Workers’ Compensation Law? | NYC Bar
Workers’ Compensation Costs – Injury Facts | National Safety Council
Workers Comp In New York: What You Need To Know | Forbes Advisor
Lost Wage Benefits | New York State Workers’ Compensation Board
