All employers here in Mississippi have a legal duty to pay into the workers’ compensation system.  The point of workers’ compensation is simple: employers pay into the system so that workers’ injuries are paid for in the event of a workplace injury.  Employees are covered by workers’ compensation even if the injury was the result of their negligence. One of the most challenging things to judge, however, is the value of a workers’ compensation claim.  Even if an employer pays a claim, it is difficult to assess whether the employee is accepting a fair deal or a fraction of what he or she should be receiving. I have counseled countless employees here in Mississippi about their workers’ compensation claims’ values and can do the same for you or a loved one that has been injured.  Because I so often receive questions about workers’ compensation claim values, I have written the following blog post to provide an overview.

If you or a loved one was injured at work, you will need to have experienced workers’ compensations counsel help you attain your fair share of compensation for his or her injury, recovery, and harm. Barrett Law has the experience to help you if you.  Contact us now at (601) 790-1505.

Factors Influencing the Value of Your Workers’ Compensation Case

It is essential that you not settle your workers’ compensation claim for less than it is worth.  The following are factors that usually increase the value of your claim.

You Have Missed a Significant Amount of Work

Missing a few days or weeks of work is not uncommon after a workplace accident. However, if you have lost more than a month of work, you should see that absence as an indicator that your claim may be worth a significant amount of compensation.  This is particularly true if you have been out of work so long that your work skills and knowledge have deteriorated as a result of the absence.

You Will Have to Change Careers

If your injury was so significant that it prevents you from continuing in the same career, it is a high-value claim.  If you require extensive retraining or moving costs to remain in a new job, those costs can be included in your workers’ compensation claim.

The Injury is Catastrophic

If your injury resulted in a permanent injury or loss of a limb or other body part, you should definitely not settle your workers’ compensation claim without the assistance of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney.  These are catastrophic injuries, and the compensation that you are due from this sort of life-altering event does not fit neatly into traditional compensation categories.

You Required Extensive Medical Care

Many people injured in the workplace only need to rest for a few days before they can return to work. On the other hand, it is easy to rack up hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills if your injury required an extended hospital stay or surgery.  If your medical bills are extensive, you should seek assistance from a workers’ compensation attorney to help you gauge what a fair settlement of your claim should be.

What Should You Do if You Were Injured at Work?

If you were injured at work, regardless of fault, you have every right to file a workers’ compensation claim.  It is illegal for your employer to take any action against you in retaliation for filing that claim. You should be compensated for medical costs, loss of work, and damages related to the retaliation such as back pay and loss of future earnings.  Let experienced counsel take care of preserving medical records, documenting the accident, attaining expert opinions, and dealing with your employer’s attorneys. These are essential tasks that only a workers’ compensation attorney can handle for you.

Call Barrett Law now, an experienced Mississippi workers’ compensation law firm, to represent you if you have suffered an injury in the workplace or suffered retaliation as a result of your report. Contact us now at (601) 790-1505.