If you were hurt at work, submitted a claim and it was approved, you might be wondering if you still need a qualified workers’ compensation attorney.

While we think it is always a good idea to hire a qualified workers’ compensation attorney, sometimes you are OK going it alone at the early stages. If your claim was approved, your medical bills are being paid, and you have started getting compensation from your employer, then the early stages are progressing as good as can be hoped.   

However, you might still want to retain an attorney going forward.

Why? There are a few reasons. 

First, hiring an attorney will allow the attorney to check what has been allowed and paid in the claim to date.   The attorney can verify whether you have been paid at the correct rate, or whether you should have been paid additional money.  If you have not been paid correctly, the attorney can take steps to get that fixed and you paid any money you are owed.

Second, a workers’ compensation attorney can help you prevent issues or problems as your claim continues.  Your claim will be open for a period of at least 5 years from the initial date of injury.  An attorney will continually monitor your claim and assist you in making sure medical treatment related to your injury is approved and paid for through the claim.   The attorney will also be able to help get you paid if you have a flare up of your injuries and are taken off work.   

As each person heals or recovers in an individual manner and not in accordance with a predictable timeline, and it pays to have an expert on your side to navigate any issues that may arise moving forward.  

The attorney can also work with your medical providers to make sure that all conditions that were caused by your original injury, or develop because of that injury are included in your claim.   There are times when a medical condition may develop after the original injury, but come from that injury, and will need to be formally allowed in the claim for treatment or compensation decisions to be made with respect to the later developing condition.   

There may also be other monetary benefits that can be available to you over the life of your claim that the BWC and/or your employer will not tell you about.   Having an attorney working with you on your claim will help ensure you receive all benefits to which you are entitled due to your injury.   

It never hurts to have a qualified workers’ compensation attorney on your side, to answer questions, give advice and support you so you get the benefits to which you are entitled. 

Connor Kimmet and Hafenstein LLP

If you have questions about filing a claim, we have a qualified workers’ compensation attorney to help. Contact us today.