Workers' Compensation

The injured worker is often taken advantage of because he does not know his rights. Your employer may not tell you of all the rights you have and the insurance company is only concerned with minimizing the cost of your claim. This means that they often will not tell you about job retraining, overtime pay benefits, wage differential benefits, statute of limitations, notice requirements, repetitive traumas, maintenance payments when being retrained and settlements.

If you have been injured at work, you should immediately contact us so that you can be assured that you are receiving ALL the benefits available to you.

Workers compensation is insurance paid for by employers that provides cash benefits and medical care if an employee becomes disabled because work-related injury. Workers' compensation benefits entitle you to medical treatment to cure and relieve the effects of your industrial injury. Treatment may include consultations, physical therapy, surgery, hospitalization, drug treatment, and nursing care, as well as physical and vocational rehabilitation services. You are entitled to be reimbursed for costs of mileage going to and from your medical appointments. The injured employee may also be entitled to lost wages.

It is important that you are aware of the following:

• Insurance Company Doctors 
  Your employer may tell you to visit an insurance company doctor to get a "second opinion." That second opinion may lead to the cancellation of your benefits. Unless your lawyer says differently, avoid the insurance company doctor.
  
• The term "reasonable medical care" 
  "Reasonable medical care" includes, but is not limited to, surgery, special treatments, medications or physical therapy. If you refuse recommended treatment, your employer has the right to petition to have your benefits suspended.
  
• Vocational Rehabilitation Services 
  Although your employer may suggest otherwise, you have the right to refuse any vocational rehabilitative services. The law says that you must make a "good faith effort" to return to work. This means that if you can work under certain restrictions, you should do so. The vocational rehabilitation specialist will advise you on what jobs are available and the specific duties involved with the work.
  
• The No Discrimination Rule 
  No one can penalize you for filing a workers' compensation claim if you have a work-related injury, illness or disease. If you feel that you have been discriminated against because of a worker's compensation claim, contact us immediately.
  
• Retirement 
  Retirement benefits should not affect the amount you receive under workers' compensation. Sometimes, however, there are instances where an unsuspecting worker gets benefits reduced upon retirement. Know the details of your pension agreement so that you don't lose all that is coming to you.
  

If you have been injured while on the job, please consider contacting us so that we can help you determine whether you need representation or not.  Don't worry-- there is no charge for the initial consultation and even if you consult with us you are under no obligation to hire us for your workers compensation case.. Even if you are already receiving benefits, it may be to your advantage to consult an experienced compensation representative to ensure that you are receiving the maximum benefits available under the law.

At Ziff, Weiermiller, Hayden & Mustico, LLP, we recognize the deep trust placed in us by our clients, and we strive to uphold that trust by working hard and fighting hard for our clients. We do the best we possibly can for every client on every case. So, please call Ziff, Weiermiller, Hayden & Mustico, LLP at 1-800-806-2852, or save time with our online Contact Form.

Please see our Workers' Compensation Frequently Asked Questions for more information on Workers' Compensation.