If you were injured while on the job, you are likely entitled to receive benefits under the Mississippi workers’ compensation program. This program is designed to pay for injuries sustained while in the workplace, regardless of who was at fault. This means that, even if you caused your own accident, you are likely entitled to benefits when you meet the criteria. The same is true for injuries caused by your employer or someone else. David E. Gordon, an experienced and Board-certified personal injury attorney, is ready to help you secure these benefits.
Workers’ compensation law can be complicated, but a Southaven workers’ compensation lawyer can help you navigate this process and work towards the financial support that you deserve.
Benefits and Explanations of Workers’ Comp
An especially serious workplace injury can leave an employee with the inability to continue on in that job. This lost time from work can be temporary or it may even be permanent, such as with a paralysis or traumatic brain injury. The workers’ compensation system is meant to provide income to injured workers without having to file a lawsuit. It is meant to streamline the process so that workers are paid more quickly, while also providing the benefit of reduced costs to employers.
However, an employer will sometimes attempt to avoid paying. They might do this by alleging some wrongful act that could exclude the employee from benefits or blame the injuries on preexisting conditions. When this happens, a local workers’ compensation attorney can help the injured client fight for the benefits to which they are entitled.
Lost Wages
A worker is entitled to a maximum of 450 weeks of injury benefits for lost wages. The amount of lost wages can differ but it can be as much as two-thirds of the total weekly wage that the employee received prior to the injury.
Medical Benefits
A worker is entitled to medical benefits to cover treatment related to the injury that occurred while at work. Before paying for medical treatment, employers are entitled to review the client’s records to determine whether the treatment is related to the accident. This is an area where employers often attempt to blame preexisting conditions to avoid payment.
Physician Choice
Employees have the right to select their own doctor and other medical treatment staff as part of their recovery. In some cases, the employer selects the doctors and other medical staff but there is no requirement to use a particular doctor for treatment under Mississippi law. David could potentially connect a client with a doctor whom he trusts to give an honest assessment.
No-Fault Analysis
A worker is entitled to benefits even if they were the cause of their own accident. It is a no-fault system, meaning even if the employee caused their own injury at work it is still covered by workers’ comp.
What if the Claim is Denied?
If a workers’ compensation claim is denied, it can be appealed to the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission. This process is complicated for anyone who is untrained in appeals, but with the help of a Southaven workman’s comp lawyer the appeals process is more likely to be successful.
Denial of a claim is not the end of the road. Many employers attempt to avoid payment for injuries that they know they are responsible to pay for. A client should never automatically assume the employer is right when their claim is denied.
Fight for Your Rights with a Southaven Workers’ Compensation Attorney
Many workers are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits through their place of employment. If you were hurt while in the scope of your job, a Southaven workers’ compensation lawyer can help you pursue these benefits, even if your claim is initially denied. The Law Office of David E. Gordon is ready to help you. Contact us today for help with your case.
