I Was Hurt On The Job! What Do I Do?

If you are injured on the job, did you know that it the responsibility of your employer, or more likely your employer's insurance, to pay for all medical care and treatment that is related to your accident? However, according to state law, the employer/insurer is allowed to select the physician and medical facility that will carry out this medical care and treatment. There are many times when you need a workers’ compensation attorney to assist you in getting the necessary treatment for your injuries.

The employer/insurer wants the employee to be able to return to work and pay as little as possible for the related treatment. It is up to the doctor to decide when the injured employee is able to return to work and how much care and treatment is needed to make this happen. The employer/insurer must pay for all of the medical expenses. There are cases in which the injured employee is not satisfied with the care provided by the workers' compensation physician and may choose from a list of alternative doctors provided by the insurance carrier.

If the Doctor takes you off of work
A worker who is injured on the job may be eligible for temporary payment of compensation if the doctor says the injured worker needs to stay off work in order to heal. While you are under the doctor’s orders to not work, you will receive temporary total disability payments which will likely be about 2/3 of your average weekly wages.” Then the next sentence which readsThe average weekly wages are calculated using the previous 12 months of wages. This number is totaled and divided by 52.

Permanent Injuries
If you have a permanent injury to a certain body part (such as a hand, foot, toe, or knee) or a whole body injury (which includes injuries to your neck, back, shoulders, hips, or brain and head injuries) you may be entitled to receive compensation for the impairment and an attorney can assist in reviewing the matter for the compensation allowed under the law.

There are some cases in which the injured worker is not able to return to the employer because the injury is permanent and will hinder the worker from performing the same job as before the injury. In such cases, the injured worker may be entitled to payments for these injuries over a specified period of time. Some permanent injuries or disabilities cause a worker to have to get a lower paying job. In these cases, workers' compensation should provide disability benefits as well.

Conclusion
In some cases, an injured worker may also take legal action against others involved including a machine manufacturer or other third party. In this case you will definitely need legal counsel to proceed with a lawsuit.

An Alabama workers' compensation attorney at The Law Office of Attorney Richard F. Matthews, Jr., LLC, can assist you with pursuing the temporary or permanent benefits you need. Our knowledgeable legal team represents victims of workplace accidents that occur in the state of Alabama, including Montgomery County, Pike County, Elmore County, Autauga County and the River Region of Alabama, including the cities of Montgomery, Troy, Wetumpka, Prattville, Millbrook, Selma and Tuskegee. Call us today at 334-398-8404 or contact us online to schedule a free case evaluation and legal consultation or just to learn more about how we can assist you throughout your workers' compensation case.