In theory, filing for workers’ compensation benefits should be fairly straightforward: telling your employer you were hurt on the job and following instructions set out for you by that employer and their insurance provider. In reality, though, workers’ comp insurance providers are just like other insurance companies, in that they will fight tenaciously—and often in underhanded ways—to maximize their own profits by denying you the benefits you need.
While it is not impossible to file a workers’ comp claim and obtain the benefits you need on your own, you will have very slim odds of doing so successfully without professional legal guidance. If you have further questions about whether retaining legal counsel is the right way forward for you, here are just some of the ways our experienced workers’ comp lawyers at Shook & Stone could help you with your workers’ comp claim in Las Vegas.
Assistance With Reporting and Filing Requirements
Once the workers’ compensation claims process is in full swing, your employer should handle most of the paperwork involved—but “most” is not the same thing as “all.” You will need to do several things individually to get your case started correctly, and then keep it on track afterward. From properly notifying your employer of your injury to filling out necessary forms with appropriate documentation attached, a skilled attorney can be a vital source of support even in the very early stages of a Las Vegas workers’ comp claim.
Collecting and Making Effective Use of Evidence
Even if it seems obvious to you that you suffered a specific serious injury because of a work-related accident, any workers’ comp claim you pursue over that incident will only be as strong as the objective evidence you can present to prove that you qualify for benefits. Legal counsel can help track down medical reports and invoices, calculate lost income through old pay stubs and tax returns, and even enlist the help of medical experts in establishing exactly how severely you have been disabled through your condition.
Negotiating with Insurance Providers
They may act friendly when you speak to them in person or over the phone, but adjusters for workers’ comp insurance providers are trained to pick apart claims and find every possible reason to minimize the value of benefits paid out to claimants. Representation from a seasoned workers’ comp lawyer can not only help you contest these tactics but also discourage insurance companies from even trying them in the first place.
Handling the Appeals Process in the Event of a Claim Denial
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for even relatively strong workers’ comp claims to be denied outright by the insurance company or for a qualifying claimant to not receive all the benefits they should be entitled to. In both scenarios, a dedicated legal representative can help you understand and then take full advantage of the formal appeals process for Las Vegas workers’ comp claims, as well as potentially assist you with filing a lawsuit against a third party who shares fault for causing your injury.
A Las Vegas Attorney Can Help You with Your Work Injury
Regardless of how, where, or why you were injured, you will virtually always want a workers’ comp lawyer’s help if you want to get the best possible outcome from a claim filed over your workplace accident. There is no shortage of procedural pitfalls that could get in the way of you getting the benefits you need from this process, and guidance from knowledgeable legal counsel could be key to navigating around all of them.
One of our lawyers here at Shook & Stone can go into more detail during a confidential consultation about how workers’ comp claims work and what your options for pursuing one after a work injury might be. Call today to set up a meeting and learn more about how a workers’ comp lawyer in Las Vegas can help in your unique situation.
