Why Hire an Attorney for My Charlotte Workers Comp Claim?

People tend to trust their employers. This is especially true of people who have worked for the same company for years. They have no reason to think their employer will leave them high and dry should they get hurt on the job. That’s why it’s especially frustrating if you get hurt at work and your employer refuses to pay your Charlotte workers comp claim. If this happens to you, it’s a good idea to call a North Carolina workers compensation lawyer.

Once your employer learns that you retained an attorney, they’ll take you more seriously. The last thing they’ll want to do is get sued for workers comp. If you meet the eligibility criteria, they have no reason to deny your claim. But that doesn’t mean your employer will do the right thing. They may deny your claim for a host of reasons. You won’t even know what their reasoning is until you receive your denial letter in the mail.

Here, we’ll talk about why it’s a good idea to hire a North Carolina personal injury attorney. We’ll also explain how having an attorney can improve your chances of having your Charlotte workers comp claim approved.

If You Don’t Hire a Workers Comp Lawyer, the Insurance Company Will Take Advantage of You

Nobody wants to think their employer and the insurance company would try to take advantage of them. There’s already a big power difference between you and your employer. They have the upper hand simply by the nature of your relationship with them. Why would they exploit you by refusing to pay your Charlotte workers comp claim?

The truth is that insurance companies are not in the business of paying claims. If they paid every claim that came across their desk, they’d go bankrupt in no time at all. They choose certain claims and decide to dispute them. Perhaps you earn a significant income, and it would cost them too much in replacement wages. Or you may require costly medical care and they’d rather take their chances by denying your Charlotte workers comp claim.

The good news is that your North Carolina personal injury attorney won’t let this happen. They’ll demand to know why your claim has been denied. They’ll also negotiate to try to get your claim paid. Once the insurance company knows you’re represented by legal counsel, they may change their tune.

How Common are Workplace Injuries?

Last year, there were more than 2.8 million non-fatal workplace injuries. Many of these were paid without issue. However, a significant number of these claims were denied. Regardless of the type of work you do, there’s always the chance that you could hurt while on the job.

Some industries are more dangerous than others. For example, people who work in construction are at a much greater risk of getting hurt at work. The same is true for people who work in fishing, forestry, and agricultural sectors. But that doesn’t mean people who work in office jobs or sales outlets don’t suffer workplace injuries. It just means that certain jobs carry with them a higher risk of getting hurt.

Sometimes, it’s easier to have your Charlotte workers comp claim approved if you do work in a dangerous industry. It’s more believable that a construction worker would suffer a head or neck injury than an executive assistant. When insurance companies receive a Charlotte workers comp claim from someone who works in a relatively safe industry, they’re more likely to question the claim’s validity.

What Can a Lawyer Do to Help Your Charlotte Workers Comp Claim Get Approved?

There are obvious benefits to hiring a North Carolina workers compensation lawyer. They can handle the legal side of things while you focus on recovering from your injuries. You’ll likely have to attend weekly doctor’s appointments. You may need to go to physical therapy. This is a lot easier to manage if you’re not on the phone fighting with the insurance adjuster.

Another benefit to having a lawyer is that the insurance company will take your claim seriously. If you’re handling the Charlotte workers comp claim yourself, the insurance adjuster may put your claim at the bottom of the pile. They may take longer than the 14-days to approve or deny your claim. If this happens, all you can do is complain. You likely won’t know what options you have to force their hand.

Another good thing about having a lawyer is that your employer won’t force you to return to work before you’re fully recovered. It’s not unusual for this to happen. A lot of our clients tell us their employers demanded they go back to work while they’re still in a lot of pain. Or they demand that they return to a light duty position before they’re ready. Your North Carolina personal injury attorney won’t let this happen to you.

Just keep in mind – your attorney can’t help if you decide to take another job while out on worker’s comp. If you do this, your benefits will terminate. The same is true if you refuse to go to your doctor’s appointments. If you don’t show up, the insurance company is going to terminate your benefits. Rather than have this happen, always check with your North Carolina workers compensation lawyer before you make any decisions that can jeopardize your Charlotte workers comp claim.

Call and Speak with One of Our North Carolina Personal Injury Attorneys Right Away

We’ve found that some of our clients wait too long to come see us about their workers comp case. They think they can handle it on their own. It isn’t until they find out their benefits have terminated before they call us. Or they may assume their Charlotte workers comp claim has been approved and learn two weeks later that they were wrong.

The last thing you want to do is wait too long to hire a North Carolina workers compensation attorney. Rather than wait until it’s too late for us to help, call us as soon as possible after your workplace accident. This way, we can ensure that your Charlotte workers comp claim is handled properly. We can also negotiate with the insurance company to make sure your claim is approved. If there’s a legitimate issue, we can try to resolve it for you.

The best thing for you to do is call and schedule your free, initial consultation sooner rather than later. Meet with one of our seasoned attorneys who can review your case and determine the best course of action.