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Virginia Workers Compensation Lawyer

More than 4.5 million injuries and illnesses are reported in private industry workplaces each year, according to the U.S Department of Labor. Roughly five workers are injured at work or become ill in the workplace per 100 full-time workers each year. In this country, certain work laws exist in order to guarantee that workers who are injured in the workplace will receive set (and permanent) financial awards.

Workers' compensation is a type of insurance that accommodates employees who need compensation for medical care due to an injury during the course of work in exchange for the employee's right to sue their employer for negligence. Plans vary according to jurisdictions, though they can be made for weekly payments instead of wages as a type of disability insurance, compensation for past and future economic losses, the payment or reimbursement of the medical expenses as a type of health insurance, and benefits payable to the depends of workers who were killed as a type of life insurance. Not included in worker compensation plans are punitive damages for employer negligence and general damages for pain and suffering.

Unfortunately, in some cases, a company or private employer will try to test these laws and attempt to pay an injured employee less than they deserve as compensation for their injuries, pain, and suffering. In these cases, the injured employee should always contact a workers' compensation lawyer or attorney for help with filing his or her claim.

In the state of Virginia, workers' compensation is compulsory, and the waiting period for compensation benefits after injury is seven days (total disability only). The maximum compensation rate is $841 and the minimum compensation rate is $210.25. A worker must file a claim within two years of the date of the accident that caused the injury. Also, for occupational diseases, a claim must be filed within two years of time exact date you became medically aware of the disease that was caused by the work and within the five years of the date you had been last exposed at work. You also cannot be fired or a witness cannot be fired because of filing a workers' compensation claim. This may sound simple enough, but workers' compensation laws can be complex.

Unfortunately, many of these workers' compensation laws and policies are subject to amendment at any time. A workers' compensation lawyer or attorney will be well-versed in Virginia's current workers' compensation laws and they will have the knowledge needed to work with the agencies (such as insurance agencies), your employer, and the courts on your behalf.

While an experienced and successful Virginia workers' compensation lawyer or attorney can help you file and win your claim, the lawyer overseeing your claim will have to be compensated as well for his services. Currently, in the state of Virginia, attorneys' fees are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

If you or someone you know has been injured at work, and you want to learn more about your legal rights, contact a Virginia workers' compensation lawyer or attorney today. You can find a workers' compensation lawyer by visiting the American Bar Association website. The American Bar Association website features a lawyer locator function which allows the user to search through workers' compensation lawyer and attorney profiles in each specific city and state. Access to the site and profiles is free.

By choosing a workers' compensation that is right for you, you can help to alleviate some of the stress associated with financial issues and an injury. They can help you focus on your own recovery while they focus on getting your financial affairs in order.