Choose a Charlottesville Workers Compensation Lawyer with the Unique Skill, Knowledge, and Experience to Get Results for You
Our Workers Comp Attorneys Represent Injured Employees in Charlottesville and Albemarle County
Between 1,000 and 2,500 work-related injuries occurred in the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County last year. This number of reported occupational injuries is significant for an area with approximately 160,000 people.
After a job-related injury or an occupational illness diagnosis, you may qualify for workers compensation benefits or negotiate a lump sum settlement.
However, securing cash payments and medical care without high-quality legal counsel may present many challenges. Your employer and its insurer or third-party administrator will have claim adjusters and defense attorneys looking for ways to delay, deny, or dispute all or part of your claim.
Fortunately, you do not have to figure out Virginia workers compensation alone. My work injury law firm represents injured employees in Charlottesville, and we want to help you win.
Keep reading to learn more about Charlottesville workers compensation claims.
Then call (804) 251-1620 or fill out this form to speak with one of Virginia’s best workers comp attorneys about your workplace accident.
A Look at the Charlottesville Economy: Who are the Largest Employers in Albemarle County?
Government, education, health services, and hospitality dominate the Charlottesville economy.
For example, the University of Virginia (UVA), UVA Health (Medical Center), County of Albemarle, Sentara Healthcare, and the City of Charlottesville are the five largest employers in the area.
In addition, the Buckingham County, Charlottesville City, and Fluvanna Couty Public School Boards employ many locals, as do many large national employers such as Wal-Mart, Food Lion, Kroger, State Farm, Northrup Grumman, Aramark, Lowe’s, and Wegman’s.
Why Does It Matter Who I Work For? Learn How Some of Charlottesville’s Largest Employers Handle Workers Compensation Cases.
Although workers compensation coverage is mandatory for employers with three or more full-time or part-time employees in Virginia, and the available benefits are the same regardless of occupation, the size and nature of the employer you worked for when injured affects your claim and the likely resolution.
Employers and their insurance adjusters often have specific stances on accommodating light duty and settling workers comp cases. Knowing what to expect helps you prepare to win.
For example, the City of Charlottesville Schools is part of the Virginia Risk Sharing Association (VRSA).
The adjusters with VRSA will negotiate settlements in many cases.
Similarly, Sentara Healthcare will negotiate settlements even though it is self-insured.
In contrast, the Attorney General’s Office for the Commonwealth of Virginia handles workers comp claims against UVA. Settlements with this employer occur less frequently and depend on the state government’s policy at a specific time.
Benefits Available Under Workers Compensation
If you suffer a compensable injury while working in Charlottesville, you can pursue benefits like:
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- Lifetime Medical Treatment: Coverage for all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to the injury, as determined by your workers compensation doctor.
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- Temporary Total Disability (TTD): Wage replacement if you cannot work while recovering.
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- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD): Compensation for permanent impairment (loss of use) to the injured body part. Orthopedic injuries, including shoulder injuries like a rotator cuff tear, torn biceps tendon, or adhesive capsulitis, and knee injuries like a torn ACL or meniscus, result in PPD payments.
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- Permanent Total Disability (PTD): Benefits if you cannot return to gainful employment. Usually, you only receive PTD payments if you suffer a catastrophic spinal cord injury resulting in paralysis or a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
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- Vocational Rehabilitation: Assistance with retraining or job placement if you cannot return to your previous job. The insurer must pay for these services.
What are Some of the Most Common Workplace Injuries?
Our Charlottesville workers comp lawyers have prosecuted and successfully resolved claims involving almost every type of occupational injury imaginable.
Some injuries, however, are more common than others.
For example, the large number of health care employees (including nurses) at Charlottesville medical providers, construction laborers building the area, and hospitality workers serving tourists means we see many of the following injuries:
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- Back and Neck Injuries: Resulting from heavy lifting, workplace assaults, and falls (especially on hills, ice, or slippery walkways).
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- Fractures and Broken Bones: Often occurring in construction or industrial settings.
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- Occupational Illnesses: Including respiratory conditions, skin diseases, and hearing loss.
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- Traumatic Injuries: Such as head injuries, electric shock, burns, and cuts from industrial accidents.
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- Heart and Lung Disease: Firefighters, police officers, and EMTs employed by state and local governments in or near Charlottesville qualify for a presumption that hypertension, heart disease, and pulmonary problems come from the job.
In addition, work-related motor vehicle crashes, including those involving semi-trucks, are common on Charlottesville’s busy roads and highways. For example, Interstate 64, US Route 29, and US Route 250 see many wrecks yearly. These job-related crashes may lead to a third-party lawsuit for negligence that you can pursue along with the workers comp claim.
How My Firm Can Help You After an Occupational Injury
The workers compensation system challenges personal injury attorneys who infrequently handle occupational injury and illness claims.
Navigating the process can seem impossible when you lose wages, receive medical care, and worry about keeping a roof over your head.
Our Charlottesville workers compensation attorneys help you and your family by:
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- Filing Claims: Ensuring all paperwork is completed accurately and submitted on time.
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- Gathering Evidence: Requesting and reviewing medical records, taking witness statements to preserve testimony, and uncovering other paperwork, photographs, and videos to support your claim.
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- Negotiating with Insurers: Dealing directly with insurers and claim administrators to get fair settlements.
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- Representing You in Hearings: Advocating on your behalf during workers comp hearings and appeals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Charlottesville Workers Compensation Claims
1. What should I do immediately after a workplace injury?
Here is the short version:
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- You must report the injury to your employer in writing within 30 days of the accident. Our sample work injury letter can serve as a template.
- Seek medical attention, even if you think you are ok. This initial medical record establishes your credibility if challenged. In addition, prompt medical care increases the likelihood of a complete recovery.
- Contact a skilled Charlottesville workers comp lawyer to learn what else you must do to protect your legal rights. We can help.
- Submit a formal claim for benefits to the Workers Compensation Commission.
2. How long do I have to file a workers compensation claim in Charlottesville, VA?
In addition to reporting the accident and injury to your employer, you must file a claim with the Commission within two years.
Exceptions may apply, extending the deadline.
But do not wait until the last minute and risk it.
Instead, contact a Charlottesville workers comp lawyer immediately.
3. What if the employer or claim administrator denies your case?
I often say, “If insurance companies did the right thing, I would need to find a new job.”
Fortunately, the employer and insurer do not have the final word on whether you qualify for workers compensation benefits.
You can appeal their decision by asking for a hearing with the Commission.
4. Can I choose my doctor for treatment?
Your employer should offer a panel of at least three physicians from which to choose.
If the doctor list is valid, the employer will only have to pay for medical care the panel physician gives (or at their direction through referrals).
Suppose you are unhappy with the treatment provided or fear a conflict of interest because you work for UVA Health or Sentara and the doctor also works there. In that case, you can seek a change in treating physician or ask for a referral or second opinion. But the specific facts will determine whether you receive it.
5. How much does hiring a workers comp lawyer in Charlottesville, VA, cost?
My firm works on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay any fees unless we win your case or negotiate a settlement. Your initial consultation is always free.
Contact Our Top-Ranked Charlottesville Workers Comp Lawyers
Do not wait to get legal help after a work injury in Charlottesville, VA. Every second you hesitate allows the workers comp claim adjuster and their team of insurance attorneys to build a defense to your claim.
Call my firm today for a free consultation: 804-251-1620.
If we accept representation, our experienced team will start prosecuting your claim so you can receive the benefits and settlement you deserve.
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