You were injured at work in Virginia Beach and are aware of the workers’ compensation benefits. You decide to file a claim, but the insurance company denies it. Your next step would be to request a hearing with the Commission. You could also possibly be in a situation where you are not getting the benefits that have been awarded to you.
In such circumstances, hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer Virginia Beach is your best bet. Lawyers can help prove your claim, for which you need to present evidence. In other words, it is the claimant’s burden to provide evidence that the accident happened at work and that the injuries are a direct result of the event. Here are the things you need.
Accident report
In Virginia, you have 30 days to notify your employer about the work-related injury. You must submit an accident report stating all details like how and when the accident happened, the injuries you have endured, and the circumstances surrounding the event.
Key details
It would help if you also started gathering other evidence as soon as possible, such as company policies and safety norms that you were supposed to adhere to. Check if you can get a copy of the employee handbook, which often has all details related to such incidents and the dos and don’ts that employees are required to follow.
Medical records
The copies of your medical records are equally important. Make sure that you don’t leave out important details, such as previous records and if you have been on prescription medications. If you have been asked to continue treatment or undergo surgery soon, you need documents for all that too. Your attorney would also want to see all these details when evaluating your workers’ compensation claim.
Important documents
Your lawyer may also advise you to keep certain papers and documents together in a file. The list includes pay stubs for a year before the accident to the present day, your job searches, the available video footage of the accident, photos of the scene, and testimonies from co-workers and witnesses.
Hiring a lawyer
Most lawyers offer free consultation sessions for injured workers in Virginia Beach. We recommend that you talk to an experienced and reliable lawyer for your workers’ compensation claim. Just make sure that they are capable enough to handle your case and do not have a conflict of interest.
