There’s a lot of misunderstanding out there about workers’ compensation. At Hodge & Langley Law Firm, our first goal is to ensure our clients understand their rights and their cases. So we’re clearing up five misconceptions people have about workers’ compensation.
- People with desk jobs can’t get worker’s compensation.
While most people associate worker’s comp claims with people who were injured at a factory or pulled their backs lifting heavy equipment, this doesn’t mean that those who spend their days at a desk aren’t victims of work-related injuries and illness. From carpel tunnel disorder from typing to falls in the break room to stress-related illness brought on by harassment, desk workers experience work-related injuries and illnesses like all employees.
- Workers’ compensation only covers medical expenses.
Depending on your injury or illness and its extent, workers’ compensation may cover much more than just medical expenses. You can be paid to cover the time you’ve missed from work, to cover travel expenses to doctors’ offices, and even to cover time in the future that you may miss work due to the injury or illness.
- I can only get workers’ compensation if my employer agrees with my claim.
Unfortunately, many company lawyers will try to avoid payments by arguing that an employee’s injury did not happen on the job, the illness was not work-related, the injury was a pre-existing condition, or the employee did not give notice of the injury. That’s why it’s important to partner with a lawyer to represent your case and work for you to ensure you receive the money you deserve.
- Workers’ compensation is only for injuries received while working.
There are a variety of injuries and illnesses that can be brought on at work or because of your work. Yes, workers’ compensation does cover injuries like back and knee strains, torn shoulders, and lacerations or amputations from equipment. But it also covers emotional trauma and stress-related illnesses caused from the work environment, aggravation to mental illness, and car accidents that occur during working hours. Talk to a lawyer if you’re unsure if your illness or injury may be related to work.
- I’m sick or injured. I can’t afford a lawyer right now.
Many law firms, including Hodge & Langley, only collect money if they win your case. The lawyers then collect a percentage of the final settlement, so they are only paid if you are. And hiring a lawyer will help ensure you receive all the money that you’re entitled to. Our workers' compensation lawyers offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case, and we handle workers' compensation cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you pay nothing up front for our legal services. If we are successful, our fee will be a percentage of the settlement or award we obtain for you; if we are not successful, you will owe us no attorney fees or costs.
Missing work can be a financial and emotional strain. But workers’ compensation is designed to help protect you if an injury or illness received at work is keeping you from working. Protect yourself and your family by speaking with a lawyer to understand if you may have a workers’ compensation claim.
