New Jersey Work Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has suffered illness or injury as a result of job-related duties, you deserve fair compensation. Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. may be able to help you during this stressful time. Our NJ Workers’ compensation lawyers are experienced in workers compensation cases. We are compassionate when it comes to our clients and relentless when it comes to bully insurance companies. Far too often, the insurance companies try to pay less than what is appropriate and they assume the employee will not take the necessary steps to fight back. That is where Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. can and will step in to make things right. Regrettably, insurance companies often look for any reason to deny a claim. The following information explores things you can do to better prepare for the compensation that you deserve.

Seek treatment

It is imperative that you seek treatment for your injury or illness in a timely manner. Unfortunately, insurance companies will question the claim if there are any discrepancies such as a delay in treatment. More importantly than that, it is important to your health and more efficient recovery. It should be noted here that many companies have approved doctors that they will approve for workers compensation treatment. It is advised that you consult with your human resource department, manager or supervisor prior to seeing any medical health professional.

Fill out necessary incident report

The insurance company will want to establish a timeline and any pertinent evidence regarding your claim. In the event of injury, an incident report should be filed immediately to show the date, time and details of the incident. In the event of illness, it is generally more difficult to prove the cause. It is in your best interest to report the symptoms or medical diagnosis as soon as possible. You will likely need to see a doctor who is approved by your employer for a second opinion. In the event of work-related illness, it is especially recommended that you seek guidance from an NJ workers’ compensation lawyer, such as Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. These cases can be complicated and some diagnoses mean lifelong symptoms.

Documentation

It cannot be stressed enough that documentation is critical in any workers compensation claim. You will need to make as much paperwork available to the insurance companies. The paperwork should show the diagnosis along with all medical expenses associated with the diagnostic process and resulting treatment plan.

Contact Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. today

If you are concerned that your employer is not or will not provide you will fair compensation, contact us. Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. offers a free consultation. We will look at your case and help you determine the necessary next step. Whether your claim is due to an injury or illness, Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. has the knowledge and resources to help you go against the most difficult insurance company. When dealing with health issues, life’s stressors can feel overwhelming and insurmountable. It can affect all aspects of your daily living. Contact Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. today for a free consultation and move on with your life.

When It May Be Necessary to Hire a New Jersey Work Accident Lawyer

In some cases, you can handle a workers compensation claim on your own. However, if your claim is particularly complex, it may be necessary to hire legal representation. Here are some examples of scenarios in which you might want to contact a work accident lawyer in New Jersey:

Your Employer Denied Your Claim: Sometimes employers deny workers compensation claims and believe their employees won’t do anything about it. If your claim was rejected, don’t give up. A skilled New Jersey work accident lawyer can help you file an appeal.
Your Injuries Prevent You from Working: If your injuries are severe enough to keep you from doing your job, you may be able to receive lifetime weekly payments. However, insurance companies might try very hard to prevent paying you what you deserve. A New Jersey work accident lawyer can stand up for your rights and prevent the insurance company from taking advantage of you.
Your Settlement Offer Doesn’t Cover Your Medical Bills: Just because your employer approved your claim doesn’t necessarily mean that your settlement offer is sufficient. If you still can’t pay all of your medical bills, you may need to contact a work accident lawyer for assistance.
Your Employer Has Fired You or Cut Your Pay: Some employers become angry when their employees file workers compensation claims and retaliate against them. If your employer has fired you or reduced your pay, he or she has violated your rights and you may need to consult with a New Jersey work accident lawyer.

When an Injury Occurs Off-Site

Workers’ compensation seems to be pretty straightforward, right? You get injured at work and if your employer offers workers compensation benefits, you submit your bills and get reimbursed. However, as a New Jersey work accident lawyer understands, there are a lot of aspects of workers compensation that you may be unfamiliar with. Here are five things you may not know about workers’ compensation.

Off-site functions are considered company property.

The workplace isn’t just the physical address of the corporate office. Workers’ compensation would cover an injury while you are on company property, such as slipping and falling in the breakroom or pulling a muscle when lifting a heavy object at a construction site. Workers’ compensation will also cover any injury that occurs at an off-site, work-sanctioned event. This includes off-site business meetings, business trips, lunch with clients, the annual holiday party, etc.

You can file a workers compensation claim for an injury in your home office.

In 2011, a judge ruled in favor of a woman filing for workers’ compensation after tripping over her dog while she was working from her home office. Just because you work from home doesn’t mean you have to forfeit workers compensation benefits. If your employer has allowed for you to telecommute in your specified home office, then any injuries that take place in that space are eligible for workers compensation benefits. A work accident lawyer in New Jersey can evaluate your case and explain what your legal options are.

File your claim within the first 30 days.

Most states have deadlines for when you must submit your workers’ compensation claim in order to be eligible for benefits. This deadline is typically 30 days after the injury occurs — some states have deadlines as short as a few days while others have deadlines up to a year so make sure you look up the deadlines for your state. If you miss the deadline for filing a claim, you could increase your chances of the insurance company denying it.

You can’t be fired for filing a workers compensation claim.

Your employer can’t legally fire you solely on the basis of filing a workers compensation claim. This is considered retaliation and it is discriminatory. However, some states require very little reasoning for firing an employee – they can fire anyone “at will” – so if you are worried about being discriminated against for filing a claim, you should reach out to a New Jersey work accident lawyer.

You’re entitled to an independent doctor at any time.

While your insurance company legally has a say in who your doctor will be, you still have the right to obtain a second opinion if you believe you aren’t receiving proper treatment. These doctors are called I.M.E.s, Independent Medical Examiners and you or your attorney have to request an I.M.E. in writing to the insurance adjuster in order to be granted a second opinion.

If you’ve been injured while at work, it’s important to know what types of situations and injuries qualify for workers compensation benefits so you can be sure to receive any necessary reimbursements. If at any time you have questions about your claim or if for any reason your claim is denied, you should consider seeking legal advice on how to proceed with your case.

What to Expect During Your First Meeting With a New Jersey Work Accident Lawyer

During your initial consultation with a work accident lawyer, he or she may ask you several questions about your work history and how the accident happened. Be sure to include every detail about the accident, such as when it happened and the conditions of the workplace. If you have any documents related to your accident, such as your medical bills or letters you received from the Workers Compensation Board, bring them with you to the meeting.

A work accident lawyer will also give you a chance to ask questions. For example, you may want to find out how many work accident cases he or she has handled in the past and how they plan to tackle your case.

At Rispoli & Borneo P.C., we work on a contingency basis so you do not have to worry about paying us anything up front. If you don’t win your case, you won’t owe us anything.

If you are looking for a New Jersey work accident lawyer, contact Rispoli & Borneo P.C. today.