Work Injury Lawyer Palm Beach
If our Palm Beach workers’ compensation lawyers can help it, you won’t waste time in lengthy litigation while dealing with the stress of a work injury. We understand that often, clients just want what is rightly owed them but insurance claims adjusters can be reluctant to pay. In particularly difficult cases, this can result in the accident victim filing a lawsuit. However, more often than not, injured workers will settle. And, as the workers’ compensation lawyers Palm Beach clients know and trust, we will do everything in our power to ensure you obtain a fair settlement.
Speak To Our Work Injury Attorneys in Palm Beach
What is a settlement? There is no one strict definition, but in general a settlement refers to an agreement that, in exchange for a certain amount, the injured party will no longer pursue the claim against the at-fault party. Therefore, before you agree to the settlement, it is very important to speak to a qualified Palm Beach, FL workers’ compensation attorney. A knowledgeable workers’ comp lawyer can ensure that no expense is omitted when calculating the settlement, and that you are fully aware of your rights and options throughout every step of the process. Too often, we see injured workers accept less than they deserve, simply because they did not understand the terms of the agreement. Once they realize they cannot afford basic care or are not receiving what they thought they were promised, they come to us. Sometimes we can help them. Sometimes it is simply too late and they are legally bound to the settlement’s unfair terms.
Let Our Workers Comp Lawyers Fight For You
Do not let a less- than-fair settlement stand in the way of your health and quality of life. A work injury can result in severe consequences including medical costs and lost wages. In addition, losing one’s job– even temporarily– can cause anxiety and depression, and a loss of one’s sense of purpose. Coupled with the financial burden, the emotional toll can be overwhelming. While we cannot restore your life to what it once was– that will take some luck and an excellent medical and therapy team– we can help secure your comfort with a settlement that covers your new financial responsibilities.
What work related injuries are covered by workers compensation?
Our workers compensation lawyer represents injured employees in Palm Beach, FL and the surrounding areas. If you were hurt at work and have suffered a serious or long term injury, contact us before you apply for benefits. We can help you get maximum benefits for your damages. Workers’ compensation does not cover all types of injuries under all circumstances. If a claim is denied, our work injury lawyer in Palm Beach, FL may be able to get approval by providing the information required. If the accident was caused by a third-party, we may be able to obtain a settlement for you from the at-fault individual or company. Call us without delay to request a free consultation with our workers’ compensation lawyer to learn more.
Workers’ compensation benefits may be denied to those employees who sustained a workplace injury under any of the following circumstances:
- The employee was under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs at the time of the accident.
- The employee intentionally caused their injury.
- The employee sustained the injury after starting a fight with another person.
- The employee was in the process of committing a serious crime when they sustained the injury.
- The employee was not on the premises of their employer and were not engaged in a work-related task, errand, event, conference, etc.
- The employee was in the process of violating company policy when they sustained their injury.
Does workers’ compensation cover long term illnesses, injuries, or health conditions?
Not every workplace injury is caused by an accident. In fact, an employee may develop a serious, life-threatening, or fatal health condition due to circumstances in the workplace. Workers’ compensation benefits should be applicable in these situations as well. If your claim was denied, or if you have not yet submitted your claim, allow our work injury lawyer in Palm Beach, FL to review it at no charge to you and determine if they can help you obtain a fair settlement. Here is a short list of examples of conditions that should be covered by workers’ compensation benefits:
- Repetitive stress or repetitive motion injuries. When a worker must repeat a certain movement in order to perform their job, it may cause chronic health issues such as tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome. It may also worsen a pre-existing condition which in itself should still qualify for workers compensation benefits.
- Lung disease or other health conditions that arise from exposure to toxic substances or fumes. A common example is developing mesothelioma (after exposure to asbestos) which is a cancer-causing lung disease with no known cure.
- Stress-related skin infections, digestive problems, and more.
Does workers compensation cover more than medical bills?
Your workers compensation benefits should also cover your injury-related hospital bills as well as your costs related to any expenses in association with diagnosing and treating your injury. You may also be eligible for disability payments for the duration of time that you are unable to work. Your benefits may also include physical rehabilitation and occupational retraining.
Learn more about how we can help you receive the maximum amount of workers compensation benefits after speaking with a work injury lawyer in Palm Beach, FL from The Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt.
Does Workers’ Comp Cover Pain and Suffering?
You have probably heard the term “pain and suffering.” In a legal sense, this refers to the non-financial losses that someone might suffer. You have probably also heard about workers’ comp. This is the system that compensates workers for any injuries they may sustain as a result of doing their job. So, the question many people have is whether workers’ comp includes compensation for pain and suffering. Learn the answer to this question.
General Compensatory Damages
There are several types of damages. Pain and suffering falls into the category of general compensatory damages. This means that the damages do not have a tangible financial value. So, your medical bills do not fall into this category because the exact value of them can easily be determined. For example, your medical bills might be exactly $500. The value is objective and unchanging. This cannot be said about pain and suffering. Other types of general compensatory damages include loss of physical ability or even divorce.
General compensatory damages are common in personal injury lawsuits. In these cases, the judge will decide exactly how much the suffering is worth financially. Then, if the defendant is found to be liable for the injury, he or she will have to compensate the victim for this amount. So does this also apply to workers’ comp?
Workers’ Comp
Unfortunately, workers’ comp does not provide any compensation for pain and suffering, or any other type of general compensatory damages. Workers’ comp only compensates victims for tangible, objective financial losses, such as medical bills, lost wages, or even funeral costs.
This may make you feel that filing a personal injury lawsuit is a better option than filing a workers’ comp claim. There are some advantages, but you must remember that filing a lawsuit is a huge ordeal that usually takes years to conclude. It will also cost you to hire legal representation. On the other hand, workers’ comp claims can sometimes be resolved in a couple weeks, and rarely longer than a month or two. This gets you compensation for your losses fast, allowing you to move on. Another advantage is that workers’ comp claims can still compensate you even if the injury is your own fault. Lawsuits are only viable if someone else wronged you.
It is also important for you to understand that if your injury qualifies for workers’ comp, then you are not allowed to file a personal injury lawsuit against the person who caused your injury. A workers’ comp attorney can tell you more.
Contact One Of Our Workers Comp Lawyers in Palm Beach
If you or a loved one has sustained an at-work injury or illness. It is in your best interest to speak to a workers compensation lawyer in Palm Beach, FL as soon as possible. We can advocate for you and help you obtain the recovery you deserve. The sooner you speak with us, the easier it will be to reach a fair settlement and avoid complex litigation down the line. Contact our Palm Beach workers’ compensation lawyers for a free case evaluation and get started today.
