Worker’s
compensation exists in all states to protect workers who become hurt on the job
or contact an illness as a result of their job. It is a state mandated
insurance program and each state has their own laws and programs for it. A
worker is covered and eligible for benefits as soon as they begin employment.
Occupational illness and diseases are covered if job related as are work
related deaths.
You have the
right to compensation for lost wages and medical expenses regardless of who was
at fault be it employer, employee, coworker, customer or third party. If the
injury results in death the payment of benefits is to the surviving spouse and
dependents and may continue for up to 450 weeks after the decedent’s death. The
employer or its insurance carrier is obligated to pay up to $2,000 in funeral
expenses and an immediate lump sum of $250 to the surviving spouse.
If you have
been injured you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. There is no
deductible to be paid by the worker for any of the benefits received under
workers compensation.
You should
notify and report your injury as soon as possible to your employer or
supervisor. It does not matter how insignificant you believe your injury to be
- always report it. You should also provide a list of witnesses if the injury
was due to a specific workplace accident. It should include the date, time, how
the injury occurred and where the injury happened. Remember to keep copies of
all documents for your records.
In some cases your workplace
injuries can be moderate to severe and your doctor and you believe your health will
not return to the condition it was prior to your injury, you may be
entitled to a “permanent partial disability” award.
You
are entitled to obtain an attorney regardless of the circumstances of your
worker’s compensation claim. If you believe you are not receiving full
compensation let us help you. Or if you would like to dispute
an adverse decision made by your employer, your employer’s insurance company,
or your state's workers' compensation division regarding your workers’
compensation claim give us a call.
If you suffered
a workplace injury or contacted an illness on the job, contact a worker’s
compensation attorney at Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, who can help you make
sure you receive the benefits you need and will represent your interests.
Call us for a
free initial consultation at 228.864.2200 or email us online via our website at www.hopkins-law.com.
With more than 68 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer
clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need.
To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak
Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.