If you were hurt in a work accident, your workers’ compensation insurance may cover your medical bills and part of your lost income. However, getting the compensation you need after a work injury can be an uphill battle.
A D’Iberville workers’ compensation lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm can help you appeal a workers’ compensation denial and advocate for your right to receive benefits. Call our office at (228) 357-9621 for a free case consultation with a Morris Bart attorney.
Workers’ Compensation Coverage in Mississippi
Workers’ compensation is “no-fault” insurance, which means that work-related injuries are covered even if the employer did not act negligently or carelessly. You cannot sue your employer for work injuries, but you may be able to recover compensation through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance.
According to the Mississippi Bar, workers’ compensation is required by all Mississippi employers unless the company employs fewer than five workers. Workers’ compensation does not cover independent contractors unless they have been misclassified and are actually employees.
For a free legal consultation with a Workers' Compensation lawyer serving D'Iberville, call 800-537-8185
We May Be Able to Help if You Were Denied Workers’ Compensation
An employee who meets the eligibility criteria outlined by Mississippi law should receive compensation after a work-related injury. However, several issues can result in a workers’ compensation denial. For example, denials may occur if:
- You make mistakes when requesting workers’ compensation
- Do not meet certain deadlines, such as those for injury notification and filing
- Your employer contests the circumstances of your injury and your right to benefits
Employers and workers’ compensation insurance companies may try to argue that you are not entitled to compensation. They may claim that your injury was preexisting or unrelated to work. If you were denied coverage, a D’Iberville workers’ compensation lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm may be able to appeal this denial with the Mississippi Workers Compensation Commission (MWCC).
Our team understands Mississippi workers’ compensation laws and the issues that commonly lead to denials. We can investigate the circumstances of your accident and the reasons for the denial.
Types of Compensation in a Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Claim
After suffering injuries in a work accident, you may be facing steep medical bills and require ongoing treatment. You may also be unable to earn income while healing from your injuries due to significant time away from work. In some cases, a work injury causes permanent disability.
Workers’ compensation is intended to cover these types of financial harm. However, the process of getting compensation involves several steps and deadlines. Delays and complications are especially difficult to deal with while you are recovering from an injury.
Under these circumstances, it’s easy to make a mistake that may lead to a denial of benefits. This is where the Morris Bart law firm comes in. We can help you evaluate your denial, determine the benefits that should be available to you, and prepare your case for the appeals process.
Medical Bills Covered by Workers’ Compensation
The medical costs resulting from a work accident are often staggering. A workers’ compensation claim may help you recover financial compensation for medical bills and future medical care necessitated by your work injuries. Workers’ compensation typically covers costs related to:
- Emergency room care
- Hospitalization
- Physician appointments
- Specialist treatment
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Diagnostic testing
- Imaging, including CT scans and MRIs
- Laboratory work
- Medication
- Expenses incurred by traveling to medical appointments
It is important to note that Mississippi workers’ compensation laws allow you to select the doctor you see to treat your injuries. However, you are subject to time limits when it comes to choosing a doctor. Your lawyer can explain all of your workers’ compensation-related rights and obligations and help you avoid making mistakes during the claims process.
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Lost Income from Time Out of Work
A serious work injury will likely keep you out of work for a while. You may be entitled to compensation for your lost wages due to missed work. The amount you qualify to recover in wage loss payments depends on the severity of the injury and/or disability resulting from your accident.
You may receive two-thirds of your weekly pay up to a certain amount designated by Mississippi law. You may collect these payments for up to 450 weeks maximum.
Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Death Benefits
If your loved one suffered a fatal work-related accident, the team at the Morris Bart law firm can help you file a workers’ compensation claim and deal with any complications that arise so that you can focus on grieving your loss. Individuals who may be entitled to death benefits through workers compensation include:
- The deceased worker’s spouse
- Unmarried children younger than 18 – or younger than 23, if they are a full-time student
- Unmarried children who are disabled
- Other relatives, if the deceased worker did not have a spouse or child
If your spouse passed away because of a work injury or illness, you may be entitled to a one-time payment of $1,000 and ongoing compensation equal to 35% of your spouse’s weekly salary. Dependent children may be entitled to 10% of the deceased parent’s weekly salary. If the deceased worker had children but was unmarried, each dependent child may receive 25% of the deceased worker’s weekly wages.
Contact an Attorney at Morris Bart, LTD for Legal Support
If you or your loved one suffered a work-related injury, you may be able to recover compensation through workers’ compensation. A D’Iberville workers’ compensation lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm can help you deal with any legal complications that arise during the workers’ compensation claim process, including a denial of benefits. Allow us to review your case today by calling (228) 357-9621 for a free case evaluation.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
