If you or someone you love was injured at work, you may be wondering if the COVID-19 pandemic could have an impact on your workers’ compensation claim. Having a qualified attorney on your side could be beneficial, especially during these unprecedented times.
The Brunswick workers’ compensation attorneys at Roden Law have been helping injury victims across Georgia get the compensation they need to help cover medical costs, lost income and other damages.
We are currently offering free consultations to discuss the details of your claim. If you were denied benefits, we could help strengthen your claim and walk you through the appeals process. You will not be obligated to retain our services and you pay zero fees until we secure compensation for you.
Because of COVID-19, there is no need for a face-to-face meeting with our attorneys. You can get the process started from the comfort of your home so you can stay safe with your loved ones.
Medical Limitations
In order to determine whether you qualify for workers’ compensation, you will need to be examined by a health care professional appointed by your employer. Your employer should provide a list of at least six different doctors to choose from. If you choose to see your own doctor, your employer may not be liable for covering your medical treatment.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, health care experts are trying to keep hospitals and other medical facilities from being overwhelmed, which means many non-essential surgeries and other medical procedures have been put on hold. If your workplace injury is not life threatening or is not expected to worsen, you may need to wait until the virus slows in your area before facilities can resume as usual.
Another option would be to inquire about telemedicine options with the health care provider. You may be able to receive a diagnosis in a live video chat with a physician.
Court Closures
If your case requires an investigation, mediation or a hearing by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), your claim might be delayed due to court closures.
As the courts begin to slowly open back up, it may take some time for them to catch up on the cases that have been put on hold. However, some courts have been implementing remote hearings that may help speed up the process.
How Insurers Could Slow Down the Process
Keep in mind that insurance companies need to save themselves as much money as possible to maintain profitability. This means they are always looking for ways to avoid making large payouts to injury victims.
Insurers may cause delays in the workers’ compensation claim process by ignoring your claim for an unreasonable period. If an insurance adjuster notices that you do not have legal representation, he or she may drag their feet with your claim, hoping that you grow impatient and accept the first lowball offer you receive. On the other hand, if your adjuster knows that you have an experienced lawyer on your side, he or she may be more likely to respond quickly with a more reasonable offer.
Discuss Your Claim in a Free Case Review
Having to wait for workers’ compensation benefits could be difficult, especially if you are the sole breadwinner in the household. Many families are struggling financially and emotionally due to the COVID-19 pandemic and some may be afraid that they may never get the monetary assistance needed to make ends meet. Having a lawyer protect your rights could be an important step toward a recovery.
Our Brunswick workers’ compensation lawyers at Roden Law have in-depth knowledge of the Georgia worker’s compensation claims process and if your claim was denied, we also have extensive experience with the appeals process.
Give us a call to set up a free claim review. We charge you nothing up front unless we win compensation for you. Let our professionals guide you through the entire legal process so you can focus on your health.