Workers’ compensation is a system of insurance that protects both employees and employers in the event of workplace injuries. As a result, an injured employee may be confident that they will get the money they need to pay for medical care and compensate for at least some of their lost income due to being unable to work and make money as before. Common workplace injuries include:
- Spine injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Burn injuries
- Back, neck, or shoulder injuries
To be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, the injured person does not have to show that an employer was careless. However, a review of the circumstances of the incident may suggest a third party was careless. In certain circumstances, an employee with a work-related injury may also file a third-party liability claim as a personal injury case. If you have suffered work-related injuries, call our experienced personal injury attorneys in Meridian, Mississippi, today at 601-401-8066.
How Our Experienced Meridian, Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Will Help You
At Richard Schwartz & Associates, we have a singular focus: to ensure that we provide the strongest possible legal representation to the people of Meridian, Mississippi, who are facing legal challenges. All of our attorneys have the commitment, expertise, and compassion to assist you with your workers’ compensation claim.
When you hire Richard Schwartz & Associates, we make sure that your claim is taken care of from beginning to end — we go through it all with you. We investigate what happened, speak with witnesses, obtain medical records, file the claim on your behalf, pursue an appeal if necessary, and do anything else we need to do to help you prepare for your case. Our attorneys have solid experience in negotiating and litigating cases, so you won’t have to worry about having a settlement pushed on you just to obtain a quick conclusion in the case. We care about what’s best for you and your family, not what’s best for our bottom line. Our well-regarded attorneys can analyze your situation and help you select the most effective course of action. We can also visit you in the hospital or at your home if you’re not feeling well enough to meet with us in the office. Contact us anytime for a FREE consultation.
How Does Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim Work in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, you don’t have to file a personal injury claim or show that your employer was negligent in order to obtain workers’ compensation benefits. Instead, all you have to do is meet the following requirements to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits:
- You must be an employee of a company that carries workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation insurance is a requirement for all employers who have at least five people working for them.
- You must have a work-related injury, and you must let your employer know about your injuries within 30 days of the accident.
Essential Steps You Should Take After Being Injured at Work
If you’ve been hurt at work, you may not immediately think about filing a workers’ compensation claim. You’re probably concerned about receiving medical care, wondering how you’ll make money to feed your family, and just getting by day-to-day. However, there are certain things you should do right away if you’ve been hurt at work, such as:
Report the Accident to the Appropriate Agency as Soon as Possible
The first and most essential step you should take after a work-related accident is to notify your employer per state and company rules. For example, if you are hurt in Mississippi and will be out of work for more than five days or your injury could result in death, permanent disability, or significant disfigurement, you should notify the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission right away. The report must be made within 30 days, although the sooner, the better. You must also inform your employer about the incident as soon as feasible since they are responsible for maintaining a record of the accident.
File a Workers’ Compensation at First Report of Injury or Illness
The next step following reporting an injury or illness to the Commission is to submit a Workers’ Compensation-First Report of Injury or Illness form. You must report the incident to your employer within ten days of telling them about it. After that, either you or your employer can submit the form. If your employer does not file the form within ten days of receiving notice, they may be fined by the Commission.
Take Notes
After you’ve recovered from your accident enough to comprehend what occurred, keep notes on everything your employer does and says to you and the circumstances that caused your injuries. If your employer attempts to prevent you from obtaining workers’ compensation, keeping notes of events immediately after the accident might be very useful since it prevents you from forgetting anything crucial.
Seek Medical Attention and Obtain Documentation
Finally, make sure you go to the doctor and get any paperwork generated as a result of your treatment. If you don’t sustain any serious injuries or no injuries at all, it will not be possible for you to win a workers’ compensation claim. It’s also critical to follow up on the doctor’s recommended therapies, and any other suggested care.
Contact a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
It’s important to contact an experienced Meridian, Mississippi, workers’ compensation attorney immediately. They can assist you throughout the process and ensure that you’re seeing the proper doctors, recording your observations correctly, and handling the situation in a way that will benefit you.
Who Is Eligible for Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
In Mississippi, almost all workers are protected by workers’ compensation legislation, with the exception of a few. The main exclusions are:
- Farm laborers
- Domestic employees
- Workers in non-profit organizations
For all other covered businesses, Workers’ compensation covers accidents or illnesses incurred on the job, for instance:
- Traumatic damages like a fractured bone from a single accident
- Occupational ailments that manifest over a longer period of time, such as an injured elbow caused by repeated movements
- Exposure to toxins
What Benefits Am I Entitled To?
It’s frightening to be hurt at work, not knowing what you’re entitled to or what sort of compensation you may get. However, we can assist you with this. If you’re hurt at work in Meridian, Mississippi, and successfully file a workers’ compensation claim, all of your medical treatment connected to the workplace injury should be covered. When you have a medical condition, the accumulated costs may be substantial, for instance:
- Doctor’s visits
- Medical treatments
- Prescription drugs
- Prosthetic devices, if required
- Transportation costs between appointments
Temporary Disability Benefits
You can also receive temporary disability payments if you must take time off from your job. This is generally equivalent to two-thirds of your typical weekly wage (up to a maximum amount determined by state legislation). Your attorney can assist you in receiving these benefits until your doctor determines that your injuries have improved enough for you to return to work. If you don’t improve and still can’t return to work, your temporary benefits will stop after 450 weeks.
Permanent Total Disability Benefits
Once you’ve made all the progress possible, your doctor will evaluate you and see whether or not you have a permanent disability. If you qualify, you may be eligible for permanent total disability payments. These payments are usually only available to those who have suffered significant injuries, such as limb loss or eye damage. You get paid at the same rate as you would with temporary benefits.
Permanent Partial Disability Benefits
Permanent partial disability benefits are available to those who have a permanent disability but aren’t completely disabled. If this is the case, you will receive two-thirds of your average weekly salary. The length of time you may get these benefits can vary depending on the type of injury and disability.
Why Choose Meridian, MS Attorneys at Richard Schwartz & Associates to Represent You?
Whether you were injured in an accident with heavy equipment or became sick after years of labor, our business is prepared to thoroughly assess your incident and argue a convincing case on your behalf. We know the workers’ compensation system can be intimidating. We’d be delighted to go through everything you need to know in your free case evaluation, including who will pay your medical expenses, where you may get medical help, and how much time you have until the statute of limitations runs out.