If you have been hurt at work, you may be thinking about filing your workers’ compensation claim on your own. You may assume that the process is fairly simple and that your employer will help you along the way. You may also be concerned about the cost (and potential hassles) of hiring an attorney.
Unfortunately, filing a workers’ compensation claim in New Jersey is not so easy. Employers and their insurance companies routinely dispute injured workers’ claims, and if you do not meet all of the requirements for filing a successful claim, your claim will be denied. An attorney who is experienced in handling workers’ compensation claims can help, and an experienced attorney may be able to help you recover more compensation with less hassle along the way.
5 Reasons to Hire a Lawyer for Your New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Claim
If you have suffered a work-related injury, here are five reasons to hire a lawyer to handle your workers’ compensation claim on your behalf:
1. There Are Many Steps (and Complexities) Involved in Securing Workers’ Compensation in New Jersey
Contrary to popular belief, securing workers’ compensation benefits is not as simple as filing an accident report with your employer. Most employers have workers’ compensation insurance, and dealing with the insurance companies can be a challenge – to put it mildly. You will need to be able to prove that by objective medical evidence that you sustained and injury related to your work, and that your work-related injury has had a material impact on the activities of your daily life both. If your employer or its insurance company denies your claim, you may need to take your claim to a hearing, which involves conducting discovery, filing motions, and presenting your case for benefits in front of a judge.
2. There are Many Common Mistakes that Injured Workers Make Far Too Often
Filing a workers’ compensation claim is a legal procedure, and even simple mistakes can jeopardize your claim for benefits. Without a thorough understanding of the New Jersey’s workers’ compensation law and the steps involved in filing a successful claim, many injured workers make mistakes that result in the denial or reduction of benefits. Examples of these mistakes include (but are not limited to):
- Failure to timely submit a notice of claim
- Failure to submit an adequate notice of claim
- Failure to collect evidence proving how, when, and where the accident occurred
- Failure to obtain necessary medical records
- Accepting a settlement too soon
3. Workers’ Compensation May Not Be Your Only Source of Financial Recovery
When you get hurt at work, workers’ compensation is one potential source of financial recovery, but it may not be the only way you can recover your losses. If someone else was at fault in the accident, your attorney may be able to file a personal injury claim to help you recover additional compensation. At Petro Cohen, we have an exception team of personal injury lawyers who can guide you and answer any questions about a potential claim.
4. It Costs You Nothing Out of Pocket to Hire an Attorney, and Contingency Fees Are Capped
Workers’ compensation attorneys represent their clients on a contingency fee basis. This means (i) you pay nothing out of pocket, and (ii) you do not pay any legal fees or costs unless your claim is successful. Additionally, under New Jersey law, contingency fees in workers’ compensation cases are capped at 20 percent of the settlement or award. In most cases, even taking this contingency fee into account, the amount you can recover with the help of an attorney will be more than what you would be able to recover on your own.
5. You (May) Only Get One Chance to Do It Right
Finally, when it comes to filing a claim for workers’ compensation, you only get one bite at the apple. If you make mistakes and your claim gets denied – or if you accept less than you are owed – that could be the end of your claim. In addition to helping you avoid these kinds of mistakes, an experienced attorney will also be able to take the necessary steps to ensure that any wrongful denial or reduction in benefits will be subject to appeal.
Discuss Your Workers’ Compensation Claim for Free
The workers’ compensation legal framework is a nuanced and extremely complex legal niche. Fortunately, you do not have to navigate this overwhelming process on your own.
With offices in Cape May Court House, Cherry Hill, Hamilton, and Northfield, Petro Cohen’s attorneys represent injured workers throughout New Jersey. If you have suffered a job-related injury or illness, we encourage you to contact us promptly for a free consultation about your legal rights.
At Petro Cohen, P.C., our workers’ compensation legal team knows precisely what type of documentation and evidence is required to establish your claim and will work with you throughout the process to ensure you receive the medical assistance you need and the compensation you deserve. Our attorneys have years of experience handling all different types of workers’ compensation cases, so you can rest assured that our knowledgeable team will be with you every step of the way, ensuring that you obtain all the necessary supporting testimony and documentation for your claim.
When considering your legal representation, Select Excellence. Our workers’ compensation attorneys have over 150 years of combined experience in providing exemplary legal counsel to the residents of southern New Jersey, and will work tirelessly to make sure your rights are protected so that you obtain the full benefits to which you may be entitled.
The head of Petro Cohen’s Workers’ Compensation Department, Frank Petro, along with firm attorneys, Suzanne Holz Meola, Terri Hiles, and Daniel Rosenthal, have successfully handled thousands of litigated workers’ comp cases throughout the state of New Jersey. Our clients tell our story best, so we encourage you to take a few moments to read the many Client Testimonials on our Web site: /client-testimonials/
To speak with one of theexperienced New Jersey workers’ compensation attorneys at Petro Cohen, P.C. in confidence, call us at 888-675-7607 or request an appointment online today.
Loading...