How can a lawyer help me after a construction accident?

Getting compensation after a work injury seems straight forward: just fill out the paperwork and receive workers’ comp.

Unfortunately, it’s never that easy. There are multiple forms, deadlines, appointments and court appearances. Not to mention the constant battle of keeping your guard up from employers and insurance adjusters that try to downplay your injury to save money.

Here are four major things an experienced work injury attorney can help you do after a work construction accident:

Help navigate between workers’ comp, disability, a work injury claim and more

You know there are a lot of different benefits and options for injured workers. However, it's important to understand which benefits you receive from each and how one claim can affect another.

For example, filing for workers’ comp doesn’t mean you have filed an injury claim. And, if you file an injury claim, it doesn’t mean that you are suing your employer or that your workers’ comp payments will stop.

On top of those options, you may also be eligible for social security disability benefits or unemployment. However, these benefits require additional forms, doctors’ appointments and reporting. If you don’t do things right, you could miss out on the money you need or be forced to repay money that was wrongfully given to you.

These complicated systems weren’t built for the average worker. A lawyer can make sense of it all and advise you on the path you should pursue.

Fill out confusing paperwork:

When filing a work injury claim, filling out the paperwork may seem never-ending.

There may be several pages of forms with complex legal terms and questions that can be confusing. Not to mention, the insurance company can pressure you to sign something that will disqualify you from getting additional compensation down the road.

A wrong answer or signature could cost you millions. An attorney will help you weed through these documents, fill them out for you, tell you what to sign, and, more importantly, what not to sign.

Meet important deadlines:

Missing a deadline after a construction accident can have a big impact on when you get compensation – or if you get compensation at all.

In the days and weeks after your accident you have a limited time frame to report your injury, file for workers’ comp and set up the foundation for your case.  In the long term – there are doctor’s appointments you have to have every 45 days and possibly court appearances.

Employers and the insurance company are less than eager to help injured workers keep track of these deadlines. Luckily, an experienced injury attorney is – it’s their job.

New York construction lawyers know all the city and state deadlines for both workers’ comp and work injury claims. They’ll make sure you do everything in time to be covered for your current medical expenses and prepared for your upcoming case.

Negotiate for a fair settlement and approved claim:

You did everything right to the best of your knowledge. You reported your work accident, filled out the forms, and met the deadlines only to find out that your workers' comp claim was denied or that the insurance company is offering you a low-ball settlement for your serious injury. Now what?

This is where a construction accident lawyer can really help. They’ll file an appeal and make sure everything is in place to get you the workers’ comp you are entitled too. And, they’ll negotiate with the insurance company to get you a settlement that actually represents the severity of your injury.

Insurance companies can lowball the average person, but they know they can’t play games with an attorney.

These four things are just the beginning. A lawyer can also help you find the right medical care, tell you what information you shouldn’t give the insurance company and do an independent investigation when other parties try to downplay your injury. The best part of all this? There is no up-front cost. Legal fees are only collected if they win your case.

Want to learn more about how an attorney can help your specific construction injury case? Call one of the attorneys at Giampa Law, New York City work injury lawyers that have been fighting for workers in the Bronx for almost 40 years.

The consultation is free. Contact us today and learn about the difference we can make in your construction accident case.