Workers’ Compensation
If you have sustained an injury while acting within the scope of your employment, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system designed to provide medical treatment, wage replacement, and compensation for permanent injuries without the need to file a lawsuit. In fact, in most instances, you are not authorized to file a lawsuit against your employer, even if they were at fault. Instead, you must rely on workers’ compensation as your exclusive recourse to cover your medical bills and lost wages.
Unfortunately, getting workers’ compensation benefits is not always as easy as it should be. Your employer and their workers’ compensation insurance carrier might deny your claim because they dispute how the injury happened or dispute the severity of the injury itself. Or they might try to cut off benefits early before you are ready to go back to work. At Bowling Law Office, we help injured workers in Middlesboro get workers’ compensation benefits for injuries on the job when they are having trouble with their claim.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Kentucky
Almost every Kentucky employer is required to carry Workers’ Compensation insurance to cover their employees in the event of injury. This coverage applies to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. Benefits provided by workers’ compensation include:
- Medical Benefits: Coverage for necessary medical treatments related to the workplace injury or illness.
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD): Compensation for lost wages during the period you are unable to work due to your injury. TTD is paid at 66% of your average weekly wage.
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD): Benefits if your injury results in permanent impairment but you can still work.
- Permanent Total Disability (PTD): Compensation if your injury prevents you from returning to any form of gainful employment.
- Death Benefits: Financial support for the family of a worker who suffers a fatal workplace injury.
Challenges Injured Workers Face
While workers’ compensation laws are designed to be employee-friendly, many workers face challenges in getting the benefits they need. Common issues include:
- Delayed or Denied Claims: Employers or insurance companies may dispute the nature of your injury or its connection to your job, leading to claim delays or denials.
- Pressure to Return to Work Early: Some employers or insurers may push injured workers to return to work before they’ve fully recovered, risking further injury.
- Disputes Over Benefits: Even if a claim is approved, there can be disagreements over the amount of compensation or the duration of benefits, especially for permanent disabilities.
How the Bowling Law Office Can Help
At Bowling Law Office, we are committed to advocating for injured workers. Our team has extensive experience handling workers’ compensation cases in Kentucky. We understand the laws, procedures, and common tactics used by insurance companies to minimize or deny claims.
We assist clients by:
- Filing Claims: Our workers’ compensation lawyer is available to answer your questions during the claim process, helping to ensure that your workers’ compensation claim is filed correctly and promptly to avoid unnecessary delays.
- Appealing Denied Claims: If your claim is denied, we can appeal the decision and represent you before the Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Board or the Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
- Maximizing Benefits: We work to ensure you receive all the benefits you are entitled to, including medical care, wage replacement, and compensation for permanent disabilities.
- Exploring Additional Compensation: If your injury was caused by a third party such as a negligent contractor, negligent driver, or the manufacturer of a defective product, we can explore personal injury claims that go beyond workers’ compensation benefits. As a law firm that practices both injury law and workers’ compensation, Bowling Law Office is perfectly suited to handle all your claims and maximize your compensation.
Choose Bowling Law Office for Workers’ Compensation Legal Help
Choosing the right workers’ compensation attorney can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. At Bowling Law Office, we offer personalized attention and hands-on service to every client, ready to take on even the largest employer or insurance carrier. We understand the impact a workplace injury can have on your health, finances, and future, and we are here to guide you through every step of the process.
With offices in Middlesboro, we proudly serve clients across eastern Kentucky and northeastern Tennessee. If you are having difficulty getting the benefits you deserve, our team is ready to fight for your rights. Call 606-248-8383 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a dedicated and successful Middlesboro workers’ compensation lawyer.