You have been injured at work or have fallen ill after year-long exposure to occupational hazards. You have decided to file a workers comp claim, but you are worried that the insurance company or your employer will deny it. Here is a list of things that you need to bring to your attorney in order to start the process of winning the legal battle and getting what is rightfully yours.
What do you need to present to your worker’s comp attorney?
It would be useful to gather as much information as possible and to present an extensive file that will contain various documents. This is all with the aim to understand the circumstances of the accident, the cause of the injury, the description of your job, your health condition, and what type of treatment you received.
Your file should include:
- A summary of the workplace accident and your injury, with precisely stated time and date
- Medical documentation. This could include doctor’s notes, hospital records, and test results. This documentation will help to show the severity of your injury or illness and how it has impacted your ability to work.
- Employment documentation, including your job description, contract of employment, and payslips. This will help to show what your duties were at the time of the accident and how your injury has impacted your ability to carry out those duties.
- Pay stubs or other evidence of lost wages.
- Contact information of the treating physician, so that the attorney or judge can get in touch and request records.
- Photographs of the injury, from different angles.
- Witness contact information, in order to verify the details of the injury and be called for a hearing.
- Date and time of the treatment and precise address of the facility/institution where you received medical or non-medical treatment.
- Police report (if the accident was caused by a third party)
- Insurance policy documents
Any witnesses to the accident or who can attest to the conditions in which you worked. These could be co-workers, clients, or customers.
This is not an exhaustive list, but it is a good starting point. Your worker’s compensation attorney will be able to advise you on what else they need in order to build a strong case. Remember: the earlier you collect the information, the faster you and your lawyer can proceed with filing a claim or an appeal to a denied claim.
After you have gathered all of this information, call a worker’s compensation attorney to schedule a meeting. Be prepared to discuss your case and what you are hoping to achieve. The attorney will likely ask for additional information and may request access to your complete medical records. With this information, they will be able to assess your claim and determine the best course of action moving forward.
What if some information is missing?
Do not worry if you do not have all of the information listed above. Your worker’s compensation attorney will still be able to help you, but it may take longer to build a strong case. In some cases, the attorney may need to conduct an investigation in order to gather evidence.
What should I ask my workers comp attorney?
During your first meeting with a worker’s compensation attorney, you should ask about their experience, whether they have handled similar cases, and what the likely outcome of your case might be. You should feel comfortable asking your attorney any questions that you have about your case. This is an important decision, and you should make sure that you are confident in your attorney’s ability to win your case.
After the meeting, you will have a better understanding of what to expect and whether or not you want to hire that particular attorney. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney will be able to help you navigate the complex legal system and fight for the compensation that you deserve. Schedule a meeting with a worker’s compensation attorney today to get started on your case!
