Getting hurt on the job isn’t just painful—it can also be devastating for your family’s finances. On-the-job injuries can require expensive medical treatments and ongoing rehabilitation, the costs of which may be too much for you to afford. In addition, your injuries can make it impossible for you to go back to work. That means no paychecks and even no health insurance if you get laid off.
Because of the potential negative consequences of workplace injuries on employees, almost all employers in Virginia are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance is designed to pay injured workers a percentage of their wages while they recover from their injuries. However, getting approved for benefits isn’t a guarantee, and the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission is notoriously strict when approving or denying applications.
You can improve your odds by taking the following steps:
- Tell your manager or supervisor about your injury right away—Report your injury to a supervising employee as soon as possible. The less time that passes between your injury occurring and you reporting it, the less chance the review board will believe your injury was caused by something else.
- Get medical treatment—After alerting your workplace of your injury, get medical treatment for it. Getting medical treatment not only helps kickstart the healing process, but it also creates an official record of your workplace injury.
- Tell the truth about your injury—Never lie, downplay, or exaggerate the severity of your injury. Always be fully upfront and honest about it, whether you’re talking to your employer, your doctor, or even your lawyer.
After taking these steps, it’s important to contact an experienced Virginia workers’ compensation attorney. At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we know what it takes to help injured workers like you win their claims. Contact us today for a free consultation.
