A Long Beach workers’ compensation lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm may be able to help if you are having trouble getting your benefits following an injury or illness in Mississippi. Our team provides free case reviews for injured workers.
You can contact the Morris Bart law firm team serving Long Beach, Mississippi, about your workplace injury today. We will assess your case to determine how we may be able to help. Call (800) 537-8185 now to get started for free.
Understanding Your Benefits & Rights as an Injured Worker
According to the Mississippi Bar, most employees in Mississippi work for a covered employer, meaning they have access to workers’ compensation insurance that will pay out benefits if they get hurt or sick because of their job. The primary exception to this is workers at businesses that have fewer than five employees.
The Workers’ Compensation Act requires covered employers to provide insurance coverage for all employees, including part-time, seasonal, or occasional employees. They must provide coverage for their employees from the first day they are on the clock. This coverage includes benefits for workers who:
- Are in an accident at work and sustain injuries, such as a fall
- Suffer an injury because of their job, such as chronic back injuries
- Receive a diagnosis of an illness caused by work, such as cancer caused by exposure to particular carcinogens
If you meet these criteria, you should have workers’ compensation coverage through your employer. If your employer does not provide a policy or the insurer denied your coverage, reach out to the Morris Bart law office. We can evaluate your options for free.
We May Be Able to Help You Secure Your Benefits
If you are having issues getting some or all of the worker’s compensation benefits you deserve, our team may be able to help. We know how to challenge the decisions made by your employer and the insurance company and how to take action on behalf of injured workers. When a Long Beach workers’ compensation lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm represents a sick or hurt employee, we can work with them to navigate the appeals process or take other steps to challenge decisions made regarding their claim.
We may be able to help with:
- An employer who refuses to file a claim
- An employer who does not have the required insurance
- An insurer that denies the claim
- An insurer that miscalculated benefits
Third-Party Legal Action
In rare cases, on-the-job accidents may also support third-party legal action in a personal injury claim. This scenario is only possible when another party—not the employer—acted negligently and caused the accident.
For example, suppose you fell from a balcony because the broken railing gave out while you were making a delivery of your employer’s product, and you consequently suffered serious injuries. You can file a workers’ compensation claim, but you might also be able to hold the property owner responsible for the broken railing in a premises liability claim.
This legal action could allow you to recover non-economic damages and other losses not covered by workers’ compensation.
Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Mississippi workers’ compensation has three primary parts:
- Medical care and treatment coverage
- Lost wages
- Death benefits
This type of coverage should provide 100 percent of the necessary payments for your medical care and related expenses throughout the treatment period. This generally occurs by the employer or insurer receiving these bills or the employee submitting the bills. You should not have to pay out and then recoup the expenses for medical care.
Many people only think of lost wage benefits when they consider workers’ comp benefits. These benefits cover about two-thirds of the injured worker’s average income, including tips, commissions, and other payments in addition to wages. These payments are tax-free, begin after you miss five days of work, and continue until you can return to work or until you reach the policy limits.
Wrongful Death
If a member of your family died in a work-related accident, you may receive a death benefit through their employer’s workers’ compensation coverage. This money is meant to help pay for their funeral and burial and other final costs.
Training as Compensation
Additionally, some workers may benefit from other options covered under workers’ compensation. For example, vocational training may be available for free if you suffered long-term injuries and cannot return to your previous role.
Deadlines for Taking Action Following an On-the-Job Injury
According to the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission (MWCC), there are several deadlines you need to know about when filing a workplace injury claim or challenging a decision. This includes notifying your employer within 30 days of the injury or diagnosis and a two-year time limit for filing a claim.
Failing to meet the appropriate deadlines could jeopardize your claim, so it is important to be aware of them and ensure you meet them. When the Morris Bart law firm represents a client, we worry about the deadlines for them.
Talk to the Attorneys at Morris Bart, LTD Today
A Long Beach workers’ compensation lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm might be able to help you challenge a denial or otherwise get to the bottom of the issue with your benefits. Reach out to the Morris Bart law firm’s Gulfport office today for your complimentary case review. We can determine if you suffered a qualifying workplace injury and may be able to take steps on your behalf.
You can speak with the team from the Morris Bart law firm now for free at (800) 537-8185.
Questions?Call (800) 537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
