Top Workers’ Compensation Lawyer In Rhode Island

What Should I Do if I Was Hurt on the Job?

What you do following an on-the-job injury is vital not only for your health and safety but also to ensure the success of a future workers’ comp claim.

The most crucial step to take following an on-the-job injury is to seek medical attention. Ensure that your employer is notified of your injury, the circumstances, and that you are going to a doctor. Getting to an ER or urgent care clinic may be a matter of life or death, depending on the extent of your injuries. Remember: you can’t file a workers’ comp claim if you aren’t around to file it. Immediate medical treatment should be your first priority.

At the hospital, make sure to notify the appropriate medical staff that you are there for a work-related injury. In the event your injuries are severe enough that you cannot speak to staff yourself, make sure a coworker, friend, or loved one can communicate the situation to hospital staff.

Once you have been treated for your injuries, you will need to obtain, complete, and submit the appropriate paperwork. Be sure to save all vital documentation from your employer and hospital, including medical records and copies of the hospital bill.

How Can I Get Compensation if I Was Injured on the Job in Rhode Island?

America is a working nation. Both the industries of our country and the industriousness of our people have kept the United States moving forward for over 200 years. A person’s occupation is often a source of pride, and many people introduce themselves by letting other people know what they do: “My name is John, I’m a teacher,” “My name is Kathy, I’m a doctor.” A job should not only be a source of pride but something that allows a person to participate in American life and make the world a better place.

In some instances, people get hurt over the course of performing their jobs. Many times, these accidents are minor and come along with the job. In other cases, injuries may be more severe. In most cases, workers in Rhode Island can simply and efficiently apply for workers’ comp and receive a claim. However, there are instances where claims are delayed- or even denied. When this happens, it may be necessary to take legal matters into your own hands and hire an attorney.

Attorney Lawrence J. Signore, “The Rhode Lawyer,” knows the Rhode Island workers’ compensation system inside and out. Signore started his career as a clerk for the Chief Judge of the Rhode Island Workers’ Compensation Court and has been fighting for Rhode Islanders injured on the job for over 20 years, and he gets results.

What is Workers’ Comp in Rhode Island?

Workers’ Comp is a type of insurance that most companies in Rhode Island must carry. Workers’ comp is meant to avoid messy, potentially long and protracted legal battles between employers and employees. When someone is injured on the job in Rhode Island, they will generally file a workers’ comp claim. Workers’ comp claims are meant to help cover a variety of expenses related to on-the-job injuries, including but not necessarily limited to hospital bills, lost wages, and other related medical expenses.

In most cases, the process works, and employees can anticipate just compensation for their injuries. However, in some instances, this isn’t the case. Workers’ comp claims are routinely denied, leaving workers and their families struggling to make ends meet while also dealing with medical issues. If you or a loved one has had a workers’ comp claim denied, it’s vital that you contact our experienced personal injury and workers’ comp attorney.

Is There a Statute of Limitation on Workers’ Comp Claims?

Following a workplace injury, some people may “drag their heels” on filing a workers’ comp claim. Often, survivors of on-the-job accidents feel they are lucky to be alive, and as a result, feel so grateful for this good fortune that they do not submit any claims. While gratitude is a healthy response to an accident, it can get in the way of collecting what you deserve. In many cases, employees who do not act quickly enough find themselves ineligible for workers’ comp. As a result, they’re left with unmanageable medical bills and financial debt as a result of lost wages and time off from work.

It’s possible to be thankful for surviving an accident and want to seek financial compensation for your injuries. Workers’ comp exists to compensate you. That is why you should act as quickly as possible to file a claim once you have been given medical clearance by a doctor to leave the hospital. In most cases, you only have one year to file a workers’ comp claim following an injury. Failure to file within this year may leave you unable to collect. This could result in years of debt and unpaid medical bills.

Why Would My Workers’ Comp Claim Be Denied?

There are several reasons why a workers’ comp claim may be denied. Some commonly given reasons for turning down a workers’ comp claim include, but are not necessarily limited to:

The Injury Wasn’t Work-Related
The Claim Wasn’t Filed in a Timely Manner
The Injury or Accident was Caused by a Pre-Existing Medical Condition
The Employee was Intoxicated at the Time of Injury
The Accident Occurred as the Result of Negligence or Misconduct
Inadequate or Incomplete Paperwork

Although it is rare, some people try to “game” workers’ comp and file fraudulent claims. Workers’ comp fraud is a serious crime that impacts the ability of honest employees to collect. Due to these instances of fraud and external pressure, workers’ comp claims go through a thorough vetting process. Often, if it even appears that there may be issues with a claim, it may be denied. This is an overly cautious maneuver to avoid paying out excess money.

However, this cautiousness also results in genuinely injured people not being able to receive the funds they need. If this happens, contact an experienced workers’ comp attorney. Lawrence J. Signore, The Rhode Lawyer, has extensive experience in fighting back against denied workers’ comp claims—and winning.

What Should I Do if My Worker’s Comp Claim Has Been Denied?

Accidents are a fact of life. This is true even of work-related accidents. Workers’ comp exists for this very reason, and countless Rhode Islanders file claims every year. However, just because you file a claim doesn’t mean you’ll get what you deserve. That’s where we come in.

If you’re trying to recover from a work-related injury or illness, you shouldn’t have to worry about medical bills and mounting debt. Focus on Healing. The Rhode Lawyer Comes to You.

Lawrence J. Signore will pursue all the available benefits to help ease your burdens. If your injury makes it difficult to visit our office in Providence, we can meet at your home or in your hospital room. That way, even if you’re still recovering, we can get the ball rolling on your workers’ comp claim. Letting us take care of your claim means you can focus on healing while we handle the rest. Having Lawrence J. Signore on your side means you can rest assured your claim will be filed in a timely manner with all the appropriate information and documentation. That ensures both that your claim won’t be denied and that you’ll get all the compensation to which you’re entitled.

Accidents happen to everyone. It’s how we respond to them that really counts. If you or a loved one was hurt at work or has had a claim denied, you need to choose a workers’ compensation attorney you can trust to pursue your case with the urgency it deserves. Call the Law Offices of Lawrence J. Signore today at (401) 273-3000 to schedule a free consultation. ¡Nosotros hablamos español!

Workers’ Compensation Education Videos

Watch the short videos below—“What Your Case Is Worth at Settlement” and “Never Say No to the Ice Pack”—for helpful tips and advice on navigating your workers’ compensation claim.