Washington D.C. Workers Compensation Lawyer

If you are injured on the job, chances are you are covered under your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance policy. This type of insurance policy differs from things like car accident insurance because it is known as a “no-fault” policy, meaning that you do not need to establish fault or liability for the accident in order to collect compensation. Instead, you will simply report the accident and injury to your employer, and they will file the claim with their workers’ compensation provider and the D.C. Office of Workers’ Compensation. Instead of needing to go through an investigation to prove that you did not cause the accident, you will skip this step and move straight into working with an adjuster to determine the amount of money that you are owed for your injuries and economic damages.

Workers’ compensation insurance is a unique policy in that it does not require fault, and that it additionally protects your employer from tort claims against them filed by those covered under the insurance. “No-fault” goes both ways with this insurance, because even if your employer was responsible for your accident due to providing faulty equipment or operating an unsafe worksite, you typically will not be able to file a lawsuit against them. Regardless, you will still benefit from working with an attorney throughout the process. While you will not have to fight to ensure that you are not accepting unreasonable liability for the accident, there are still many opportunities for the workers’ compensation insurance company to miss significant damages that you are owed, which a lawyer will help to make sure does not happen.

Contact Balkin Law Group Injury Lawyers, LLP For a Free Consultation About Your Washington D.C. Workers’ Compensation Claim

No matter how straightforward and simple the workers’ compensation claims process may seem, there are pitfalls at every step that could cost you money that you rightfully deserve. When you are working with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney in Washington D.C., you can be sure that you have taken all of the necessary steps to give yourself the best chance of a complete payout — and save yourself the stress and hassle of going through the claim alone at the same time. We offer a free initial consultation for people who have been hurt in workplace accidents so we can discuss their situation and give them a better understanding of how Balkin Law Group Injury Lawyers, LLP can give them the support you need through this frustrating process.

Take a look below to get a better idea of the workers’ compensation application process in Washington D.C., and contact us as soon as possible to speak with a member of our team about your unique situation.

Common Workplace Injuries 

The following are just a few of some of the most common workplace injuries that employees claim in workers’ compensation filings. Whether or not your injuries are listed below, contact us now to get started on your application today.

Repetitive Strain Injuries

Repetitive strain injuries are most commonly associated with office workers who spend long hours typing or using a computer mouse, but there are many different professions that can be exposed to the dangers of repetitive strain such as welders, cashiers, barbers and hairstylists, and assembly line workers. If not treated properly, these injuries can have lasting and costly impacts on a workers’ ability to perform their job.

Sprains

A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament that may be caused by any number of accidents or motions, including things like falling on uneven surfaces and rolling an ankle, pivoting while carrying a heavy object, landing on your wrists to catch a fall, or hyperextending a finger. Commonly, sprains will require ice and rest to recover, but more serious sprains may require surgery to make a full recovery.

Back Injuries

Back injuries can happen in any number of ways, including falls, lifting heavy objects, vehicle accidents, and more. Back injuries are very serious and must be treated by a doctor as soon as possible in order to give yourself the best chance of making a full recovery. Depending on the nature of your back injury, you may either need to go through physical therapy or could require surgical intervention.

Hit by Falling Objects

Falling objects are one of the most common causes of injuries on construction sites, and the damage caused can be catastrophic or even fatal. The injuries caused by falling objects can range from bruising to fractures to internal bleeding and more, and these accidents must be reported immediately. 

What to Do If You Are Unable to Collect Your Rightful Workers’ Comp Benefits

If you are finding that you are unable to get the money you know you deserve out of your workers’ compensation claim, an experienced attorney in Washington D.C. can help you make things right. Trying to work with a workers’ compensation insurance company can feel like wading through miles of red tape and bureaucratic procedures, and the outcome can be extremely frustrating as you keep trying to understand why you aren’t getting a clear answer and a fair payment. You deserve this money, and you should not have to accept less than what you are entitled to.

Hiring an attorney is one of the most important things that you can do in order to ensure that each detail is considered in your workers’ compensation claim and that you ultimately are awarded the money you deserve and not just the money that you are being offered. An attorney can review your case and look at the steps you have already taken, the communications that you have already had with the insurance company and any other associated workers’ compensation groups, and ultimately identify how to resolve your claim. 

If your claim is denied, then you will be able to appeal the decision with the Washington D.C. Office of Workers’ Compensation, where they will review the decision and possibly overturn it. Your attorney will help you prepare for this in the meantime, and help you understand what is going on and why.