Unfortunately, regardless of how safe you think your job may be, there is always a risk of accidents and injuries due to negligence. When an individual suffers a work-related injury or illness that has left them with long-lasting impairment that limits their ability to work, they are entitled to file a workers’ compensation claim. Through workers’ compensation, injured workers can receive disability benefits. Depending on the specific circumstances and severity of the injuries. You may be awarded a sum you may not necessarily agree with. In such cases, you may wonder whether you can appeal a workers’ compensation decision. Please continue reading to learn what to do if you disagree with a workers’ compensation award and how a trusted Birmingham Workers’ Compensation Lawyer can help you today.
What is workers’ compensation?
As mentioned above, when an employee sustains an injury or illness due to negligence, they can file a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that employers must carry for their workers. Ultimately, this insurance provides cash benefits for wage replacement and medical care for those injured or who become ill due to their jobs. When a worker is injured, it could prevent them from earning a living and result in significant losses. Depending on the severity, it can result in long-term impairment. In such cases, workers’ compensation can provide permanent disability benefits.
What should I do if I disagree with my workers’ compensation award?
Fortunately, if you disagree with a workers’ compensation award, you can work with an experienced lawyer to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company for the amount of money you believe you are owed, or you can go to a hearing to have a judge rule on the dispute. Essentially, you are entitled to file a claim with the Division of Workers’ Compensation to appeal the court’s decision, similarly to how you would if you disagreed with the outcome of a lawsuit.
If you are unhappy with the outcome of your workers’ compensation case, it is vital to understand the appeal process. If you decide to appeal, you must file a formal written claim stipulating why you believe you were wrongly denied the benefits you thought you were owed for your injuries. It is often beneficial to provide evidence to prove the decision was incorrect. In Alabama, you only have 15 days to file an appeal. However, you only have seven days to file your appeal if you received notice in person.
If you disagree with your workers’ compensation award, you can file an appeal to fight for a more favorable outcome. The appeal process can be challenging to navigate alone. Please don’t hesitate to contact a determined lawyer from Alabama Injury Lawyers, LLC, who can help you fight to obtain the maximum compensation to which you may be entitled.
