Quick Summary: Employers’ workers’ comp insurance costs influence how insurance companies handle claims, often leading to denials or low offers for injured workers. A workers’ compensation attorney can help injured workers navigate the complex system, negotiate with insurers, and ensure they receive full benefits for medical bills, lost wages, and disability.
After a workplace accident, you might not think much about your employer’s insurance policy. You’re focused on your recovery, your medical bills, and how you’ll manage to pay for everything while you’re out of work. However, the truth is, the cost of that policy, and the factors that influence it, directly affect your claim. While a business owner might ask, “How much does workers comp insurance cost?”, the real question for an injured worker is, “How does that insurance company’s focus on cost affect my ability to get the benefits I need?”
At Sean Regan Law, our entire practice is built on helping injured workers in New Orleans get the benefits they are entitled to. We’ve seen firsthand how an insurance company’s bottom line can create roadblocks for people who just want to get better. Understanding their perspective is the first step in protecting yourself.
A Claim Isn’t Just an Expense, It’s a Cost
For an insurance company, every injury claim represents a cost. They track these costs very closely. Your employer’s insurance premiums are based on several factors, but one of the biggest is their claims history. If a company has a lot of claims, its insurance rates go up. This creates a powerful incentive for insurance companies to keep payouts low, and it can affect the way they handle your case. This is why, as an injured worker, you might encounter issues such as:
- Claim denials: The insurance company may deny your claim outright, often on the grounds that your injury wasn’t work-related or that you didn’t report it properly.
- Low-ball settlement offers: They might offer you a settlement that is far less than what you need to cover your medical expenses and lost wages.
- Delay tactics: They may deliberately delay the process in the hope that you will give up, settle for less, or simply exhaust your resources.
- Refusal to pay for specific medical treatment: The insurance company might claim that a certain medical procedure or specialist is not necessary for your injury.
These tactics aren’t a reflection of you; they are a direct result of how the insurance system is set up. The company’s financial model is to minimize costs, and unfortunately, that puts you, the injured worker, in a difficult position.
The True Value of a Workers Compensation Attorney
When you’re dealing with a system that’s designed to protect itself, you need a strong advocate on your side. That’s the role of a workers compensation attorney. They are there to level the playing field.
Our work at Sean Regan Law focuses on helping you navigate this complex process so you can concentrate on your recovery. Our firm is proud to serve as a trusted workers compensation attorney for the people of New Orleans, Louisiana, handling the following challenges and more:
- handling the paperwork and deadlines: The workers’ comp system is filled with confusing forms and strict deadlines. Missing a single one could cost you your claim. A lawyer ensures all paperwork is filed correctly and on time.
- Negotiating with the insurance company: When you have legal representation, the insurance company takes your claim more seriously. A lawyer knows what your claim is worth and will fight to get you a fair settlement, not just the minimum amount.
- Fighting denied claims: If your claim has been denied, it’s not the end of the road. We can appeal the decision and build a strong legal case with evidence to prove your injury is legitimate and work-related.
- Ensuring proper medical care: We work to ensure that the insurance company authorizes and pays for all medically necessary and appropriate treatment. This includes everything from physical therapy to consultations with specialists.
What an Injury Claim Should Cover
A successful workers’ compensation claim should provide you with the financial support you need to recover from your injury. This includes coverage for:
- Medical bills: This can include everything from emergency room visits and hospital stays to physical therapy, prescriptions, and any necessary surgeries.
- Lost wages: While you are out of work recovering, workers’ compensation benefits should provide you with a portion of your average weekly wage.
- Disability benefits: If your injury results in a permanent disability, whether partial or total, you may be entitled to disability benefits.
- Vocational rehabilitation: In some cases, if you can no longer return to your old job, you may be entitled to benefits for job retraining and placement.
Understanding the Importance of a Lawyer
The fact that an employer has to pay for workers’ comp insurance is a good thing; it means that when an accident happens, there is a system in place to help you. However, the system is designed to be profitable for the insurance company. This can create a conflict of interest that puts your recovery at risk.
That is why having a knowledgeable legal advocate is so important. A good lawyer provides a critical counterbalance to the insurance company’s focus on cost. They can help you get the full benefits you are entitled to, and they can ensure that you are not taken advantage of during a difficult and vulnerable time in your life.
Get Workers Comp Help in New Orleans, LA
If you’ve been injured on the job, don’t navigate the complex workers’ compensation system alone. Our team at Sean Regan Law understands what you’re up against and has the experience to handle your case with the care it requires.
We are proud to serve the people of New Orleans, LA. To learn more about how we can help you fight for the benefits you need, contact us today for a free consultation.