Each state has its own workers’ compensation insurance program—for instance, the Michigan Workers’ Compensation or the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. The primary purpose of workers’ compensation insurance remains the same regardless of where you’re located: it covers accidents that occur on the job.

If you’re dealing with a workers’ compensation claim, you need the Michigan workers’ compensation lawyers at Fieger Law. We offer assistance in filing your workers’ compensation claim and provide representation during negotiations or appeals. Our goal is to help you secure the benefits you are legally entitled to.

We’ve successfully fought and won workers’ compensation benefits for hard-working individuals who’ve been denied their rights in the past—we’ll get results for you too.

What Is Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ compensation provides medical benefits and replacement wages for employees who sustain injuries or develop illnesses due to their work. This system generally covers scenarios such as:

Unlike other personal injury claims, this system provides employees with immediate support without the burden of demonstrating employer fault, enabling them to concentrate on their recovery instead of engaging in legal battles.

However, in cases where benefits are denied or employers dispute claims, Fieger Law can help injured workers obtain the workers’ compensation benefits they are entitled to. 

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

If you are injured while working, no matter who is at fault, you can file for workers’ compensation benefits from your employer. Fieger Law can help you pursue the following benefits after suffering a workplace injury:

  • Medical Benefits: These cover necessary medical treatments for the injury or illness. It typically includes hospital visits, doctor appointments, surgeries, physical therapy, medication, and essential medical equipment.
  • Wage Replacement: Workers receive a portion of their lost wages if they cannot work due to their injury. For example, in Michigan, you receive two-thirds of your regular wages at the time of the accident.
  • Vocational Rehabilitation: If you can’t return to your previous job, you may be eligible for training for new skills. This service helps workers find new employment that accommodates their physical capabilities.
  • Death Benefits: When a worker tragically dies due to work-related reasons, their dependents are eligible to receive compensation. This compensation typically covers funeral expenses and offers financial support to the deceased worker’s family.

What Makes You Eligible for Workers’ Compensation?

To be eligible for workers’ compensation, specific criteria must be met. The attorneys at Fieger Law can assess your situation to determine if you satisfy these essential requirements.

  • Employment Status: You must be employed in some capacity, whether full-time, part-time, temporary, or seasonal. Typically, individuals classified as independent contractors, freelancers, or volunteers do not qualify for these benefits.
  • Work-Related Injury or Illness: To be covered under workers’ compensation, your injury or illness must be directly connected to your employment. This implies that the injury or illness occurred during work hours or as a result of your job duties. An example of this would be sustaining a back injury while lifting boxes in the course of your work.
  • Timely Reporting and Claim Filing: You should inform your employer of the injury within a specific timeframe, usually a few days after the incident. Following this, you need to file a workers’ compensation claim within the deadline set by your state. For instance, in Michigan, the law allows 90 days to notify your employer of the injury and up to two years to file a workers’ compensation claim.
  • Exceptions to Coverage: Certain actions can affect workers’ compensation eligibility. For example, if the injury results from intoxication or occurs while violating company policies, it might not be covered under workers’ compensation.

Disputes and Denials in Workers’ Compensation Claims

When submitting a workers’ compensation claim, it’s not uncommon to encounter disputes and denials. These issues can arise for various reasons, including questions about whether the injury is work-related, discrepancies in the reported details of the incident, or timeliness of the claim filing.

  • Work-Connected Injury: Disputes in workers’ compensation claims often revolve around whether the injury is work-related. For example, uncertainty about where or how the injury occurred could lead to the employer or their insurance company challenging the claim. These disputes typically focus on the specifics of the incident and its connection to the employee’s job duties.
  • Inadequate Documentation: Your workers’ compensation claim may be denied if it lacks adequate medical evidence or if the injury report submitted to your employer is incomplete.
  • Missed Deadlines: If you fail to adhere to the deadlines for reporting your injury or filing your claim, it’s likely that the insurer will deny your workers’ compensation claim. It’s important to be aware of all relevant timelines, which include promptly notifying your employer about the incident and submitting all required paperwork.

If your workers’ compensation claim is denied, you’re entitled to appeal the decision. The specific procedures for appeals vary by state but often involve presenting additional evidence, participating in hearings, and working with a lawyer who can effectively advocate for your interests. This process is designed to ensure your case is thoroughly reviewed and fairly assessed.

Located in Southfield, Michigan, Geoffrey Fieger and his team have successfully handled hundreds of workers’ compensation cases. We’re well known for our multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements, and we’ve won more of them than any firm in the nation. We fight hard to get you the benefits you deserve, and we won’t stop fighting until we win.

Fieger Law: Nationally Recognized Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

For over 70 years, the workers’ compensation lawyers at Fieger Law have fought for victims’ rights. If you or a family member have been denied workers’ compensation benefits, Geoffrey Fieger and the skilled attorneys at Fieger Law can help. Contact us for a free consultation, and let us fight to get you the care, support, and security you need.