A work injury can interrupt your life instantly, creating unexpected health, financial, and legal challenges. Virginia law requires most employers to carry workersā compensation insurance to offset the financial hardships caused by workplace injuries. Workers’ compensation benefits can pay for medical bills and a portion of your lost wages, regardless of who was at fault. Unfortunately, insurance companies donāt always make the claims process easy, placing your benefits in jeopardy when you need them most.
If you suffered a job injury or have been diagnosed with an occupational disease in King George, having legal representation can help you through the workersā compensation process, enforce your rights, and resolve disputes. Trollinger Law LLC has represented injured workers for over a decade. Our legal team focuses exclusively on injury cases, giving us insight into the common obstacles Virginians encounter while pursuing benefits. We can handle all the details of your claim while you focus on your recovery.
Whether you are beginning the workersā comp process or need assistance with an existing claim, Trollinger Law LLC can help. Call or contact us today for a free consultation with a workersā compensation lawyer in King George, VA.
How Our King George Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Can Help
No law requires you to hire an attorney to file a Virginia workers’ compensation claim. However, a work-related injury can be debilitating, and obtaining benefits hinges on submitting an accurate, well-supported claim. Even a small error or gap in medical documentation could result in a claim delay or denial. Thatās where a King George work injury lawyer can step in.
When you choose Trollinger Law LLC, we manage all the legal work that goes with your claim. We can:
- Gather the evidence necessary to support your case
- Complete and file your application for benefits
- Handle all communications with the insurance company
- Negotiate for the workersā comp benefits you deserve
- Handle any appeals if your claim is denied
- Represent you at any hearings before the Virginia Workersā Compensation Commission (VWCC)
Your needs come first at every stage. You can count on our experienced attorneys to take the time to understand your injury and its impact on your life and livelihood.
What Benefits Are Available Under Virginia Workers’ Compensation?
The Virginia workers’ compensation system provides several types of benefits to eligible employees. Depending on the severity of your injury, you could be entitled to:
Medical Benefits
After you notify your employer of your injury, your employer should provide you with a list of approved doctors you can choose from for treatment, known as a panel of physicians. Your benefits can cover the cost of reasonable and necessary medical treatment, prescription drugs, mileage reimbursement to and from authorized doctor visits, and other approved medical expenses.
Wage Replacement Benefits
Workersā compensation can also provide partial payment of missed wages while you heal. The amount you receive is based on several factors, including the severity of your injury and your average weekly wage (AWW) at the time of your injury.
- Temporary disability benefits: Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits are designed to replace lost wages if a workerās injury prevents them from working or when medical restrictions prevent them from performing their job duties. Temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits are available if an employee can still work but is earning less due to reduced hours or light-duty assignments. TPD benefits make up part of the difference between pre-injury wages and the workerās current wages.
- Permanent disability benefits: Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits may be available if a worker suffers a permanent impairment of a body part, such as loss of use of an extremity, amputation, disfigurement, lung disease, or loss of vision or hearing. Permanent total disability (PTD) benefits are lifetime wage replacement for workers whose injuries result in total paralysis, the loss of both of their hands, arms, feet, legs, or eyes, or who suffer a head injury so severe that they cannot return to work. Virginia law has strict requirements for qualifying for permanent disability benefits, which is why many injured workers consider consulting a workersā compensation attorney for guidance.
Vocational Rehabilitation
Injured workers who cannot return to their pre-injury job may be eligible for vocational counseling, job development, education, and job placement services.
Death benefits
The dependents of workers who die because of a work injury may be entitled to funeral costs and wage-loss benefits.
Common Workplace Injuries in King George
Workplace injuries can happen in any environment. King George County and the surrounding areas are home to several industries that are at higher risk of workplace accidents, such as manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, and construction. Common injuries include:
- Back and spine injuries from lifting and awkward postures
- Sprains and strains
- Fractures
- Head and traumatic brain injuries from accidents, equipment incidents, or falls
- Spinal cord injuries
- Nerve damage
- Respiratory and cardiovascular injuries from toxic exposure or strenuous physical work
- Burn injuries
- Electrocution
- Cuts and lacerations
What Should I Do After a Workplace Injury in Virginia?
If you need emergency medical treatment after a workplace accident, get it. You can see any doctor for initial emergency treatment, but you may need to change to a doctor on your employerās panel of physicians for follow-up care.
Once your condition has stabilized, take these actions to protect your health and your workersā compensation claim:
- Report your injury to your employer immediately if possible, but certainly within 30 days. If you fail to report your injury by the deadline, you could lose your right to get workers’ comp benefits.
- If you didnāt need emergency care, seek treatment from one of your employer’s preferred providers. Follow the providerās instructions and attend all appointments.
- File a Claim Form with the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission. You typically have two years to file your claim.
- Write down how the accident occurred. Ask any witnesses or co-workers to do the same.
- Stay off social media. Insurance companies may check your online activity for comments about the accident or evidence that you are not complying with doctor restrictions.
- Contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. Turning your claim over to your legal counsel can help avoid missteps that could hold up your access to benefits.
What If My Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Denied?
If your employer’s workers’ compensation insurer denies your claim, you can request a hearing before the VWCC. A Deputy Commissioner will hear the evidence you and your employerās workersā compensation insurer present, then issue a written decision. If you disagree with that decision, you may appeal to the Full Commission, then the state Court of Appeals, and then the Supreme Court of Virginia. Appeals must be made within 30 days of each decision.
Very few workersā compensation cases go to court. Most are resolved through settlements with the insurance company or by decisions from the Commission.
How Long Do I Have to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Virginia?
You must report your injury to your employer within 30 days. You have two years from the date of your injury to file a claim with the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Why Choose Our King George Workers’ Compensation Lawyers?
You deserve to have a seasoned workers’ comp lawyer to handle your insurance claim. Clients choose Trollinger Law LLC because:
- We know the system inside and out: Our team has focused solely on workers’ compensation and personal injury cases since 2017. That experience and knowledge make us powerful advocates.
- Weāre committed to our clients: We provide one-on-one attention and utilize proven strategies aimed at achieving meaningful results.
- We have a history of positive outcomes: Our track record includes millions of dollars for our clients across the states we serve.
Contact a Virginia Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today
If you are eligible for workersā compensation but unsure about the process or are facing claim disputes, the right legal counsel can step in to protect your rights and keep your case moving. Put Trollinger Law LLC to work for you. Contact our firm today to learn your legal options in a free case evaluation.
