Workers Comp Lawyer Rockville Centre
Regardless of where you might work, there is a possibility of being injured or ill while working and needing the support of a Workers Comp Lawyer in Rockville Centre from Polsky, Shouldice & Rosen, P.C. Falling, slipping, straining a muscle, or toxic substance exposure are just a few examples of ways that could result in an injury. If this should happen in the New York area, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. This compensation covers your related medical care, time off of work, travel-related expenses, and more. Workers’ compensation can be available to you in a lump sum settlement or weekly installments.
Know What a Settlement Means
Assuming you have a valid claim, it is very likely that you will be offered a settlement from the insurance company. As soon as you accept, your case is closed. You will not be able to appeal for any further benefits or try to obtain more money. If you’ve been collecting weekly payments, they will likely end and you will receive a lump sum payment.
If you are happy with what you have been offered, you will need to have the offer approved by a judge. He or she will review the settlement and ensure you have not been coerced into accepting it. Bear in mind, this process might sound easy; however, it rarely ends in a satisfactory outcome without some perseverance, and even legal assistance from a Workers Comp Lawyer in Rockville Centre, New York.
The insurance company will almost certainly try to offer you the least amount possible. If they do offer you a settlement, it is often because they know it will be less than the benefits you would receive. Prior to accepting a settlement, we strongly advise meeting with a Rockville Center Lawyer for Workers Comp to talk about the following:
- Your Ongoing Costs: It is possible that you will need months, or years, to recover from an injury or illness sustained at work. Once you do return to your job, you may have to continue with some type of rehabilitation or therapy. All these related costs must be thought about beforehand, and should be included in the settlement. All too often, a person will accept a settlement without considering a portion of their future-related treatment. When this happens, they will be responsible for the costs.
- The Diagnosis: Your settlement will largely be based around the doctor’s assessment of your injuries. In general, this doctor will need to be approved by your employer. Sometimes, these doctors can give a biased diagnosis that might not necessarily benefit you. If you suspect the diagnosis is not correct, you should pay for your own medical evaluation.
- Peace of Mind: By accepting a settlement you might feel a sense of peace of mind. You now have the necessary money to complete your treatment without worrying about work. Weekly benefits can be stopped by the insurance company at anytime. They might ask for regular exams to evaluate your progress. If their doctor believes you are okay, the insurance company will almost certainly stop your payments. This can be very stressful and hinder your recovery. If you are concerned about this, call a Rockville Center Workers Comp Lawyer from Polsky, Shouldice & Rosen, P.C.
- Disability: In the event that you have been permanently disabled, your weekly benefits may continue for several years. Most likely, reaching a settlement for the same amount will be difficult. Furthermore, it may be difficult to estimate future earnings associated with years, even decades, into the future.
Whether or not a settlement will actually benefit you depends on the factors and circumstances of your case. You should ask a workers’ compensation lawyer to help you weigh all of the details of your case out before agreeing to anything. For immediate assistance, call a NY Workers Comp Lawyer in Rockville Centre from Polsky, Shouldice & Rosen, P.C. today.
When someone is injured during the course of employment, they may immediately turn to our Workers Comp Lawyers located in Rockville Centre at Polsky, Shouldice & Rosen, P.C. for answers to their questions. Are benefits the same for everyone? Which workers are entitled to the coverage and which workers are not? Though it varies from state to state and occupation to occupation, the following are some basics you should know about.
Who Is an Employee?
As our Workers Comp Lawyers in Rockville Centre, NY may explain, most employees of a business are covered by workers’ compensation, though the employer must have that coverage in order for it to be utilized. Employees are people who work for a company, receive regular wages for the regular job they do and are governed by an employer who sets his or her schedule and duties to follow.
Who Are Not Employees?
People who are not employees would generally not have any protection under worker’s compensation. This includes:
- Independent contractors – Most independent contractors set their own schedules, perform duties their own way and own their materials until sold to the business they’re working with. Because they govern themselves, they have no protection from the workers’ comp coverage of the employer they’re working for.
- Partners – Employees are covered, and in most cases, partners of a business are not considered employees.
- Volunteers – Volunteers do not meet the guidelines for being an employee as previously defined. Because they don’t take in a regular wage, they are not considered actual employees and would not be entitled to workers’ compensation.
Other Categories
In some states, there are other categories of workers who may not qualify for workers’ compensation. If you fall under any of these categories, you should speak with our Rockville Center Workers Comp Lawyers about what you are entitled to. They include domestic employees, agricultural workers and seasonal employees.
What You Can Do If You Don’t Qualify for Workers’ Comp
If you now realize you won’t qualify for workers’ compensation, but you were injured during the course of your job, there are some other avenues you can follow to receive what you deserve. A civil claim is one possibility. With help from our Rockville, NY Workers Comp Lawyers you may be eligible to file a claim against your employer, a coworker or another third party.
If you have personal health insurance, you should look into utilizing that as well. When your medical bills start coming in, it’s nice to have that there to assist you in getting them paid.
Contacting Your Lawyer
When you’re injured on the job, you deserve compensation from one avenue or another. If you’re wondering about workers’ compensation, contacting a lawyer is a great way to get started in figuring it all out. Contact one of our New York Workers Comp Lawyers in Rockville Centre from Polsky, Shouldice & Rosen, P.C. today.