The process of filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits can be intimidating, even if you have gone through it before after a previous workplace accident, and especially if you try to go through it alone.
The sooner you start working with a workers’ compensation lawyer from Shook & Stone on building the strongest possible claim, the better chances you have of obtaining all the benefits you are entitled to under the law. With that said, there are a few additional things you should know about when to hire a Las Vegas workers’ compensation lawyer…
Steps to Take Before Contacting Legal Counsel
A workers’ comp lawyer in Las Vegas can provide irreplaceable help with collecting relevant evidence, complying with the various rules and restrictions for filing a claim, and dealing with an insurance company that wants to contest or reject your claim. What legal counsel cannot do, though, is take the very first steps in the workers’ comp claim process on your behalf—you will need to do that yourself in order to avoid problems later on.
More specifically, you must directly inform your employer of your work-related injury or illness by submitting a written Incident Report to them no later than seven days after first sustaining or discovering it. You will also need to seek professional medical attention for your injury or illness and receive a formal diagnosis of your condition as soon as possible after it begins. After taking these two steps, you can fill out an Employee’s Claim for Compensation Form, which is generally the first part of the process that a legal representative can directly assist with.
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Why Is a Workers’ Comp Lawyer’s Help So Important?
Legally speaking, you have up to 90 days after sustaining a work-related injury or illness to file a Claim for Compensation. In practice, you will want to hire a Las Vegas workers’ comp attorney long before that deadline, especially if your injury will have long-lasting repercussions or has seriously aggravated a pre-existing condition.
Workers’ comp insurance providers will not just take your word for it that you were hurt or became ill on the job, and the kinds of evidence you will need to prove your condition is work-related might be lost or even intentionally destroyed if you do not take prompt action to find and preserve it. Even a delay of a few days could leave you lacking vital information that might have significantly strengthened your claim or prevented it from being rejected.
Hire a Las Vegas Workers’ Compensation Attorney as Soon as Possible After a Workplace Accident
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to seeking workers’ compensation benefits in Nevada. In most situations, though, retaining a workers’ comp attorney quickly after getting hurt or sick at work will only help your case.
If you have further questions about when—or why—to hire a Las Vegas workers’ compensation lawyer, our team can provide the answers you need to make an informed decision. Call Shook & Stone today to schedule your free consultation.
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