Detroit Initial Filing Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
Millions of workers suffer workplace injuries every single year. In fact, the National Safety Council estimates that a worker is injured on the job every seven seconds, resulting in over 100 million lost production days. Suffering a workplace injury that sidelines you from returning to work can be a devastating experience. Fortunately, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits to pay for medical care, lost wages while recovering at home, and even long-term disability benefits if your accident and injury resulted in a debilitating condition. The first step in claiming these benefits is filing a workers’ compensation claim based on the state of Michigan’s guidelines.
To receive workers’ compensation benefits in the state of Michigan, injured workers must meet specific requirements. These include reporting your accident and injuries to your employer and filing your claim in a reasonably timely manner. Almost all employers in the state of Michigan are legally required to have workers’ compensation coverage through private insurance companies or through certification granted by the state to self-insure employees. Like every other state in the country, Michigan has a no-fault workers’ compensation system, meaning injured employees aren’t required to prove employers acted irresponsibly to receive financial benefits. The only requirement is that the injury occurred at your place of work and due to a workplace activity.
If you or someone you know has suffered a workplace injury and are currently facing expenses related to your accident or are unable to return to work, it’s important to know you have protection and options. It’s also vital to know how workers’ compensation works in the state of Michigan and what steps you need to take to file your claim and recover benefits to pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs. To take the first step in ensuring you file your claim correctly, giving yourself the best chance at receiving benefits, contact the Detroit workers’ compensation lawyers at Detroit Personal Injury Attorneys today by calling (248) 948-9696 and speaking with a qualified legal representative.
Why Do I Need a Workers’ Compensation Attorney?
Many employees have the impression that their employers or places of work always have their best interest at heart, especially if they’ve been with the company for many years. While this may be the case for some people, there are unfortunately a number of instances where employers or insurance companies put the company and profit before the health and well-being of the employees. Handling your workers’ compensation filing on your own may seem like a good idea, especially if the injuries appear minor and you have a good relationship with your employer, but the reality is that even the most straightforward cases can become complicated if you don’t follow protocol when filing a claim. By working with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer who has filed hundreds or even thousands of claims, you can rest assured that you will file your claim correctly, completely, and on time to avoid any procedural mishaps that could prolong or derail your case for benefits. And in the case your claim is denied or you don’t receive the full amount, your attorney can then take the necessary steps moving forward so you can focus on your health and recovery.
Why Choose Us?
At Detroit Personal Injury Attorneys, every person who works at our firm has dedicated their careers and lives to helping the most vulnerable people in their most urgent time of need. We are committed to serving the workers and individuals of Detroit and the surrounding areas, and promise that if we take your case we will utilize every available resource to build your case and give you the best possible chance at recovering benefits.
The Detroit workers’ compensation attorneys put their clients first. That’s why we offer free initial consultations to go over the details of the case, and also why we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid unless we recover financial compensation for you and your family. With decades of combined experience filing claims and handling disputes, we know how to communicate and negotiate with insurance companies. That also means we know when they’re acting in bad faith and trying to cheat you out of money you deserve. Don’t spend another day worried about how you’re going to pay for medical bills and other expenses related to your injury.
How Do I File a Claim?
In order to be eligible for benefits, injured workers must first report the injury to their employers and request benefits by filing a claim. However, you must act in a timely manner. In the state of Michigan, injured workers are required to notify their employer within 90 days of suffering a workplace injury, otherwise they may forfeit their rights to receive benefits. In many cases, injuries don’t surface immediately following an accident. In these cases, victims have 90 days from the moment you discover your injury and that it was the result of a work-related accident.
After informing your employer of the injury within 90 days, you must also request workers’ compensation benefits from your employer verbally or in a written statement within two years of the accident or discovering your injury. However, it’s recommended that you take action as soon as possible in order to strengthen your case and avoid a suspicious looking claim. The claim should include the following information:
- The date of the accident
- The details of how you were injured
- Any symptoms you are experiencing
- A request for workers’ compensation benefits
Do your best to be as thorough and accurate as possible since accident reports and statements are often used as evidence in the event your claim is disputed in the future. After reporting your injury and requesting benefits, your employer should then notify the company’s insurance company. If this doesn’t happen, you may need to file an Employee’s Report of Claim (Form WC-117) with the Michigan Workers’ Compensation Agency who will then forward your claim to your employer’s insurance company for action.
Contact Us Today
Filing your workers’ compensation claim without the assistance or guidance of a qualified and experienced attorney can be a complicated affair and may jeopardize your chances at receiving benefits. Don’t take this risk. Contact the Detroit workers’ compensation attorneys at Detroit Personal Injury Attorneys today by calling (248) 948-9696 to schedule a free consultation.