Virginia’s worker’s compensation lets you recover from an on-the-job accident without facing additional trouble. However, some employers are not willing to provide their employees with the resources they need to protect their health. If you have been injured on the job, you should contact a workers’ compensation attorney to know the steps you can take to protect your rights and secure the benefits you deserve. When you look for a good lawyer to work with, visit their website to learn more about their services and how they might be able to help you.
How Workers’ Compensation Works in Virginia
According to Virginia’s workers’ comp laws, employers should carry workers’ comp insurance to cover workers who sustain injuries while performing their work duties. Such laws prevent injured employees from suing their employers and other workers. These laws are meant to minimize the social costs related to on-the-job injuries and cover the administrative costs related to injury litigation. But the amount of compensation an injured worker can secure through a workers’ comp claim is limited.
Usually, the maximum amount they can recover will not cover the total cost of their injury such as medical expenses and lost wages. In addition, workers’ comp insurance doesn’t’ cover pain and suffering damages that workers may secure through a personal injury lawsuit. The workers’ compensation system compensates workers by giving benefits after they sustained a work-related injury, occupational disease, or ordinary disease that arises of employment conditions.
If you meet these criteria, you can file a workers’ comp claim. If you have more questions regarding your qualification, have an attorney evaluate your case. Once you filed a claim, you will wait for seven days after your claim has been submitted to the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
What Compensation Can You Receive
Workers’ compensation tends to vary depending on the injuries you sustained. If you end up with a permanent partial disability, you could be eligible for two-thirds of your average weekly wage for a particular number of weeks. This compensation will be calculated further based on how many weeks are designated for your disability.
In addition, the medical expenses you incurred because of your injury will also be covered. For cost-of-living supplements and rehabilitation, special provisions are available. But you can only be compensated for cost-of-living supplements if your social security and workers’ comp are less than 80 percent of your monthly wage. Also, benefits to dependents are available when you die.
