Every person should feel safe going to work and not having to worry about sustaining a serious injury or illness. However, injury accidents can and do happen in the workplace. Injured employees deserve coverage for medical care when they get hurt or ill because of their job duties or from the work environment itself. Examples of work-related accidents can be slip and falls, vehicle accidents, forklift accidents, electrical injuries, crane accidents, and exposure to toxic substances. The state of West Virginia requires that most employers have workers’ compensation coverage, with some exceptions. Our West Virginia workplace injury lawyer can discuss your situation in further detail and then recommend next steps to take. Contact us at Hayhurst Law PLLC for a consultation.
West Virginia Workers’ Comp
If you have questions about your eligibility for benefits or are having a problem receiving them, contact us as soon as possible. We know that employers can sometimes hinder your ability to use benefits, fire you for trying to utilize them, or otherwise retaliate against you. When our team intervenes, employers tend to become more cooperative because they know they can no longer take advantage of you. We know the laws, so let us enforce them with your employer. You deserve coverage for injuries or an illness that developed due to the workplace. You could be eligible to receive compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Rehabilitation costs
- Disability payments
When To Seek Counsel
Anytime someone sustains injury in the workplace is the time to contact our legal team. Unfortunately, you cannot rely on employers to handle a worker’s claim fairly. Sometimes employers get too focused on saving money that they don’t fully compensate employees for their losses or may otherwise mistreat them. As our knowledgeable workplace injury attorney explains, there are many ways that employers may retaliate against a worker who is rightfully owed benefits, such as:
- Changing their job duties to a less desirable position
- Preventing them from receiving earned promotions
- Discouraging the worker from applying for benefits
- Hindering approval odds by delaying or putting mistakes on paperwork
- Creating a hostile work environment
- Threatening, yelling, or using intimidation
- Letting the employee go with or without a reason
- Giving the employee an unwarranted negative performance review
- Leaving the worker out of meetings, team activities, or trainings
Hayhurst Law PLLC
Workers deserve to be compensated when they are injured at work or when traveling and performing their duties. Employers are mandated to have a workers’ compensation program, unless their company fits the criteria for an exception. Most employers are required to have this insurance. If you were recently injured because of work, let our West Virginia workplace attorney help you. Our team at Hayhurst Law PLLC have seen just how badly employees can be treated by employers when they are rightfully deserving of compensation. We can make sure you are treated fairly. Let us protect you today by reaching out for a consultation.
Workplace Injury Lawyer West Virginia
While some types of jobs, like those in the construction, mining, or manufacturing industries, are more dangerous than others, the truth is that a workplace injury can happen in any job. Office workers may develop painful carpal tunnel syndrome, for example, or a barista may suffer debilitating steam burns. If you have been injured at work, you should be covered by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. However, at Hayhurst Law PLLC, we have noticed that many of our clients are not receiving the full benefits they’re eligible for or may have their valid claim denied for spurious reasons.
If you have been hurt at work, a West Virginia workplace injury lawyer can help you with your workers’ compensation claim and advise you of your other legal options. We want to help injured workers like you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
What Does A West Virginia Workplace Injury Lawyer Do?
Almost all West Virginia workers are afforded benefits under their employer’s Workers’ Compensation insurance plan. This plan is free to you and covers all necessary medical care for treating your injuries. It also provides a partial wage replacement stipend so you can pay your bills while you’re out of work recovering.
However, some unscrupulous employers wish to avoid paying these large claims and may deny your claim or minimize the extent of your injury. Other times, employers who are required to have workers’ comp insurance do not, leaving them open to legal liability. We protect the rights of injured workers like you. Our lawyers understand WV employment laws very well and can pinpoint when employers or their insurance companies violate them. We can also help you contest a denial of your claim or accusations that you caused the accident and your injuries.
Options Available After A Workplace Injury
If you are struggling with your workers’ compensation claim, there are other options. Our lawyers can file an appeal with the Workers’ Compensation Board of Review and argue it on your behalf. Your employer does have the right to deny certain claims, like cases where the employee wasn’t using the safety gear provided, was using alcohol or drugs, or was otherwise acting negligently. Our job is to counteract these claims and demand fair treatment on your behalf.
Some workplace injuries are caused by a third party, like a vendor, subcontractor, or another driver. In these cases, you may receive workers’ comp benefits but may also be eligible to file a third-party lawsuit for damages against that party. We can help you with this legal matter, prepare the civil suit on your behalf, and gather evidence to support your claim. We want to make sure that all liable parties are held accountable for their disregard for your safety.
Hurt At Work? Give Us A Call!
Have you suffered a workplace injury or developed an occupational illness or disease? We can help you secure the full complement of benefits that you deserve. Whether you need help appealing a denied workers’ comp claim or you want to know your options for filing a third-party lawsuit, a West Virginia workplace injury lawyer from our firm can help you. Contact Hayhurst Law PLLC today for a free consultation.
