St. George Workers’ Compensation Attorney 

Being injured on the job can dramatically affect both your personal and professional life. You may be unable to work for a short period of time or be permanently unable to perform the duties you had before the injury.  However, in Utah, the workers’ compensation system is available to help employees mitigate the costs and effects of a workplace injury.

When you are injured at work, you will generally be entitled to compensation for your injuries through the workers’ compensation insurance held by your employer. With few exceptions, Utah law requires employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. The system is also no-fault, which means that even if you caused the accident that led to your injuries, you will generally be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and some of your lost earnings. If the insurance company can demonstrate that you were intoxicated or otherwise breaking the rules of the workplace or the law, however, you could be denied compensation.

Collecting what you are owed after your workplace injury can be an uphill battle against the workers’ compensation insurance company. With an attorney from We Win Injury Law on your claim as soon as possible after you have received emergency medical care for your injuries, the best possible outcome in your case will be supported. Read on to learn more about workers’ compensation claims in Utah, and how your St. George workers’ compensation lawyer can help.

Why Choose Our Firm for Your Workers’ Comp Claim?

• For over 20 years, We Win Injury Law has helped victims of workplace injuries recover fair compensation in their workers’ comp claims. We are driven by results and will not rest until we obtain the optimal outcome in your case.
• When you hire our firm, you will have access to an attorney 24/7. Our partner attorneys, along with our experienced support staff, will be available to answer your questions and provide updates on your claim.
• Our firm takes all cases on a contingency to help limit our clients out-of-pocket costs. If we don’t win, you won’t pay any legal fees.

Utah Workers’ Compensation Laws and Requirements

In Utah, the vast majority of employers are required to hold workers’ compensation insurance. This coverage pays for workers who sustain medical costs, lost wages, and disabilities as a result of a workplace injury or occupational illnesses. 

Utah follows a no-fault workers’ compensation system, meaning that workers can recover benefits even if they were responsible for their own accidents. As long as the injury happened at work or while the employee was performing his or her job duties, the worker is entitled to compensation.

Common Types of Workplace Injuries 

Workplace injuries happen every year, mostly affecting high-risk industries like agriculture, construction, and healthcare. Employees can suffer harm as a result of their daily tasks as well as unexpected hazards like slippery surfaces or toxic chemicals.

Below are some of the most common types of workplace injuries:

• Traumatic brain damage
• Cuts and bruises
• Burn injuries and scarring
• Overexertion injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome
• Exposure to harmful and toxic substances
• Broken bones and fractures
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Muscle strains and sprains
• Crushing injuries, such as organ damage

How to File a Workers’ Comp Claim in St. George

To file for workers’ comp benefits in Utah, you will need to report your injury to your employer within 180 days. In most cases, it is best to file a report as soon as possible after your injury or the diagnosis of an occupational illness. The sooner that you file your claim, the sooner it will be processed, and you can start receiving benefits. Additionally, insurers can be skeptical if you wait a long time after your injury to file.

After you report your injuries, your employer will complete the required forms and send them to the workers’ compensation insurer within seven days. The insurer will then need to issue a decision within 21 days. The company may approve or deny your claim or request another 24 days for further investigation. 

If your claim was denied, you have the right to file an appeal with the Utah Labor Commission. Your employer or insurer will need to file a response to your appeal within 30 days, and then you will both need to attend a hearing in front of a workers’ compensation judge. An attorney can help you navigate the appeals process, represent you during the hearing, and advocate aggressively for your right to fair benefits.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance Companies Work for Profit, Not For You

When it comes time to file your workers’ compensation insurance claim, you might think that given the no-fault system, your claim will process smoothly and completely. This could not be farther from the truth, as you are a cost to the insurance company, not a benefit. In fact, Workers’ compensation insurance is among the most profitable area of insurance in the United States.  Workers’ compensation insurance companies are for-profit organizations, and they make more profits by decreasing costs. Costs are decreased by denying whichever claims they can, or by paying as little as possible on those claims that are approved.

The workers’ compensation insurance company might claim that your injury did not happen on the job but at home. They will require that you prove the cause of your injury and that it happened in the workplace. The extent, severity, and cost of your injuries will be challenged, and you may be encouraged to return to work sooner than is safe so the insurance company can claim you are fine to work and do not deserve any further compensation. Workers’ compensation insurance companies have even been known to hire private investigators to follow injured persons and take photographs as evidence of the severity of their injuries.

Without an attorney to advocate for the best interests in your workers’’ compensation claim, you could receive much less than you are entitled. When that happens, any future costs linked to your injuries will come out of your household budget, impacting your family’s future financial stability.

Reach Out to a St. George Workers’ Compensation Attorney for Help on Your Claim 

Your attorney handles your entire claim from gathering evidence to collecting your compensation. If a fair settlement is possible, we’ll help maximize it, and if the insurance company will not be fair, we’ll take them to court on your behalf.

Contact us to schedule a consultation with We Win Injury Law or give us a call at (877) 939-4646, we’re here to help you recover what you deserve for you workplace injury.