Ins and outs of workers' compensation

By Erin Tucker

A work-related injury can have long-lasting, effects on your health and livelihood. If you've been injured on the job, it's essential that you know your legal rights so that you don't risk losing access to the workers' compensation you are legitimately and legally entitled to.

Regardless of the industry, your employer may be reluctant to compensate you if you've been injured at work. Without the aid of an experienced attorney, it can be difficult to obtain full compensation. Here are some important things to know.
    

• You are owed a paycheck while you recuperate from surgery due to work-related injuries, and you are entitled to money during your healing period at home.
• In the case of a head, neck, back, shoulder or hip injury, typically your initial injury and recovery time may be just the beginning. These sorts of injuries tend to be life-long, and greatly impact your everyday ability to function. You are entitled to compensation for future losses.
• Your company and its insurance company will not take into account your long-term earning capacity and the loss of that capacity. An attorney can help you determine how the injury has impacted your earning capacity.
• It is also important to consider how difficult it would be for you to obtain new employment, given your age, education, skill set, permanent impairment assigned by the doctor and permanent work restrictions. This may increase how many weeks, months or years worth of workers' compensation benefits are due to you.
• You have the right to receive mileage reimbursement for all mileage to and from your job-related doctor appointments, physical therapy and pharmacy visits and submit them to your employer. Simply keep track of it. By law, this mileage must be paid. Lost time to attend these medical visits should also be paid.

At Tucker Law, we are committed to helping you navigate this process. We'll guide you through step by step to help you get the compensation you deserve. Call us if you need us.

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