Guide to prove your Virginia workers’ compensation claim

You were injured at work, and in Virginia, you can ask for benefits under workers’ compensation, regardless of what or who caused the accident. However, filing your claim and getting the due settlement may not be as easy as it seems on paper. As the claimant, you have to prove everything, such as your wages before and after work, medical treatments you have received, work restrictions you may have because of the accident, and other things. Instead of trying to navigate through the process, it is wise to contact an experienced Richmond injured at work lawyer, who will help you know the workers’ compensation system better. In this post, we are sharing more on what to know about proving workers’ compensation claim in Virginia. 

Collecting evidence

To prove your claim, you have to gather evidence. The basic requirement is to prove that you suffered injury at work or have discovered an occupational disease, and it is related to your work. All details, including witnesses, company policies, documentation, medical treatment files, and everything else should be collected, so that your claim is strong enough. Some of the evidence that will be considered for workers’ compensation claims include – 

1. Medical records related to the injury
2. Documents to prove work restrictions
3. Current salary/wages and previous wages a year before the accident
4. Video footage of the incident
5. Co-worker testimonies

Do you need a lawyer?

Ensuring that the paperwork related to workers’ compensation claim is done right and your claim is not denied, you should consider talking to an attorney. There are many law firms in Richmond that specialize in workers’ compensation claims and deal with employment law-related matters on a regular basis. Keep in mind that attorneys know what it takes to negotiate with an insurance company and they will ensure that you don’t settle for anything less than what you deserve. There is always a chance that your workers’ compensation claim will be denied, and in such cases, your lawyer will check and help with the appeals. In case your employer has done wrong to you or retaliated against you, a good lawyer can help in standing up to them. 

When you hire a lawyer for handling your workers’ compensation claim, you make the smart move of ensuring that no silly mistake impacts the settlement you get. It is your lawyer’s job to ensure that your rights and interests are protected, and they will do what it takes to prove your claim.