For any hard-working individual, sustaining an injury on the job can feel devastating – both physically and financially. The pain and recovery process is difficult enough without adding worry over medical bills and lost income.
If you’ve been hurt in a work-related accident, having an experienced Flagstaff workers’ compensation lawyer by your side makes all the difference. Our team understands what you’re going through, as we’ve helped many Northern Arizona employees get the support they need.
Our goal is to ease your burden through guidance, aggressive pursuit of claims, and steadfast advocacy. You’ve enough to focus on already without leaving your rights or recourse to chance. Let the Flagstaff personal injury attorneys of Zanes Law fight to protect your future.
What Are the Common Challenges Faced When Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
While workers’ compensation provides essential medical and wage replacement benefits for work-related injuries, filing successful claims presents real challenges. Navigating the complex rules and processes of the system can prove difficult when recovering from an accident.
Additionally, insurers have incentives to minimize or deny aspects of claims. Our attorneys understand these obstacles all too well from years of experience representing injured workers.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common barriers faced when pursuing the relief promised by workers’ compensation laws.
Proving the Injury or Illness Was Work-Related
Employers may deny the claim by arguing the incident did not occur on the job. A lawyer will thoroughly investigate the incident, collect evidence and witness statements, and build a strong case to prove work-related causation.
Establishing the Full Extent and Severity of Injuries
Insurers may try to limit benefits by downplaying or disputing medical diagnoses. An experienced workers’ comp attorney will work closely with physicians to document all conditions to ensure proper treatment and compensation.
Filing Paperwork and Deadlines
Missing forms or deadlines puts you at risk of a claim denial, even if it is legitimate. Our team submits necessary paperwork on time to avoid technical denials and keep the claim moving forward swiftly.
Wage Calculation and Lost Pay Disputes
Insurers sometimes undervalue wages or deny periods eligible for wage replacement. A lawyer will audit pay stubs and other records to ensure accurate wage calculation and pursue payment for all lost time owed.
Treatment Authorization Delays and Denials
Getting approval for recommended medical care, tests, or therapy can face pushback. We intervene aggressively to fight for prompt authorization of care recommended by physicians.
Return to Work Issues
Disagreements over the ability to perform past or alternate job duties during recovery. A personal injury lawyer can obtain functional capacity evaluations and demand accommodations to support your safe return to work.
Reaching Maximum Medical Improvement Status
Insurers may declare recovery complete prematurely to end benefits. We can dispute premature MMIs through independent medical exams and hearings when further treatment is still needed.
Permanent Partial Disability Evaluation Disputes
Disagreements over the extent of long-term limitations affect benefit amounts. A workman’s compensation attorney in Flagstaff can retain experts to document permanent restrictions fully and accurately for adequate disability benefits.
Litigation Costs
High legal fees make pursuing legitimate disputes through hearings difficult without representation. We represent injured workers on a contingency basis so clients never face legal bills.
For a free legal consultation with a workers' compensation lawyer serving Flagstaff, call (866) 499-8989
Injuries in Workers Compensation Claims
Some of the most common types of injuries that require workers’ compensation claims include:
- Acute injuries: Broken bones, cuts, burns, and other sudden injuries from workplace accidents.
- Strains and sprains: Overuse and overexertion injuries to muscles, tendons, or ligaments like back strains or tendonitis.
- Repetitive stress injuries: Conditions that develop over time due to repetitive motions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Spinal injuries: Disc herniations, bulges, or fractures of the vertebrae often caused by lifting injuries.
- Nerve damage: Compression or laceration of nerves in the arms, legs, or torso.
- Brain injuries: Concussions or traumatic brain injuries from falls, impacts, or blasts.
- Cumulative trauma disorders: Conditions caused by long-term exposure to workplace factors, like respiratory illness from chemicals.
An experienced attorney can ensure proper evaluation and compensation for even complex, multi-symptom injuries sustained on the job.
Flagstaff Workers' Compensation Lawyer Near Me (866) 499-8989
There May Be Other Options Open to You
If an employee in Arizona becomes sick or hurt on the job, they should be able to get medical coverage and benefits for lost wages. Although the compensation law requires your workplace to provide workers’ comp coverage, it also stops you from suing your employer in the majority of cases.
Outside of workers’ compensation benefits, though, you might be able to pursue further forms of compensation. To establish if additional parties may be held responsible for your occurrence, a workers’ compensation attorney will conduct an investigation.
If you have been in a workplace accident, your workman’s comp lawyer can examine your case and advise you on whether or not to seek damages from outside parties such as:
- The manufacturer of a faulty product or tool that caused you harm
- A negligent property owner
- A third party, such as a contractor or vendor
Click to contact our Flagstaff Personal Injury Lawyers today
Contact a Flagstaff Workers’ Compensation Law Firm for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been hurt on the job, contacting a workers’ compensation attorney is important. Dealing with a claim alone during recovery can be stressful. However, our firm understands Arizona’s comp laws and will review your specific situation and injuries to create the best path forward.
Our services are provided with no out-of-pocket costs – we work on contingency, so you never pay fees.
Contact us today for a free consultation. With our assistance, you can focus fully on medical treatment while we fight to obtain all the benefits and damages you deserve as efficiently as possible.
Call or text (866) 499-8989 or complete a
Free Case Evaluation form
6 Main Causes of Phoenix Car Accidents
While it may seem like there is endless space on the roads in the Valley, traffic in the Phoenix area has grown far worse since the turn of the century. The area is growing by leaps and bounds, and
