Getting hurt in the workplace can have many unfortunate consequences. Employees may have to cover growing medical bills and lose the opportunity to continue working. All of this can lead to serious financial issues while decreasing the quality of life.
If you sustained injuries while doing your job, you can demand workers’ compensation benefits. However, the length of a Winder workers’ compensation claim can be frustrating. To speed up the process, you may want to work with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney.
The length of a work injury claim in Winder can vary from a few weeks to several months. Complex cases may take years to navigate. If the employee notifies the employer within 30 days of the accident or of discovering an occupational illness, the initial stages of the claim can move quickly.
However, the rest depends on the employer and the insurance company. Their actions, or lack thereof, could delay the case indefinitely. The employee will need a legal team to handle the process and help overcome multiple potential roadblocks.
Not all factors that affect the duration of a Winder worker’s compensation case can be predicted. There are some issues to watch out for.
More serious injuries often require longer treatment periods. This could delay the claim until a doctor determines maximum medical improvement (MMI). A claim may not be finalized until the full extent of recovery becomes known.
Both the employer and the insurance company may decide to dispute the injury. For example, they can try arguing that it was not sustained in the workplace. Another common argument is that a pre-existing condition caused the injury.
To counter these disputes, the injured party and their legal team may have to arrange additional investigations and medical reviews.
Workers may need to undergo multiple independent medical exams. These assessments can cause delays if there are differing opinions between medical professionals.
Incorrect or incomplete paperwork can stall a claim. If the injured person or the employer does not provide all the necessary documents to the insurance company, they may deny the claim entirely.
Legal counsel could help streamline and expedite the process so you can receive benefits as soon as possible.
If the insurance company in Winder denies the worker’s compensation claim, the duration of the case can increase by several months. If the injured person chooses to work with an attorney, they can take them through the steps of filing an appeal.
The process begins with requesting a hearing with the Administrative Judge. If they do not reverse the decision, other options involve submitting a request to the Board of Workers’ Compensation and then going to the superior court judge.
The length of a Winder workers’ compensation claim depends on many factors, including the competence of the attorney who works with the injured employee. By consulting a legal team as soon as possible, you can avoid filing mistakes and prevent a denial.
At Smith Hulsey Law, we pride ourselves on helping people from the community fight for the money they deserve. If you need help navigating your workers’ compensation case, regardless of its current stage, call us to schedule a consultation at any time.
Smith Hulsey Law