Workers in Rhode Island face the risk of suffering serious, career-ending and life-threatening injuries. Workers’ compensation benefits are designed to ensure that injured workers receive the monetary support they need during these challenging times. These benefits usually cover medical expenses, disability and a portion of lost wages during the time the worker is recovering from his or her injuries. In addition to injuries, workers’ compensation benefits cover work-related illnesses. If you have been injured while working in Rhode Island, or your workers’ compensation benefits are being denied, you should contemplate hiring a Rhode Island workers’ compensation lawyer to help you get the benefits that you deserve.
What Are The Elements of a Workers’ Compensation Case?
In order to receive the benefits to which you are entitled, it is important that you take necessary steps and understand these important facets of Rhode Island workers’ compensation law:
- Reporting your injury: First and foremost, it is crucial that you report your injury promptly to your supervisor and/or employer. The time to do this is as soon as you realize your injury or work-related illness has occurred or that it is related to your job. This initiates your workers’ compensation process. You may be asked to fill out some paperwork or may be given some printed information about your rights.
Getting medical attention: If you have been injured or suspect you have become ill, it is important that you get prompt medical attention. If you have been seriously injured on the job, get emergency care right away. You don’t necessarily have to wait for your employer to assign a healthcare provider for your work-related injury. However, if you decide to switch doctors, you need to make sure that the new doctor is in your employer’s or their insurance company’s network.- Benefits: If you have been injured on the job in Rhode Island, you need to understand that there is a waiting period for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits are not paid for the first three days you are out of work. After this waiting period, benefits may become available to cover your medical treatment, a portion of your lost income, vocational training, permanent injuries or disabilities. In the case of a worker who has died on the job, family members may be eligible to receive death benefits as well. Weekly benefits are calculation based on the worker’s most recent earnings.
Insurance: Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance. Employers purchase this type of insurance to protect their employees in the event of injuries or illnesses. In the event of an injury, you will have to work with your employer as well as their insurance company to ensure that you receive all of your benefits.- Third-party claim: In many cases, workers’ compensation alone may not be sufficient to cover all of your losses. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may be able to pursue compensation from a third party whose negligence contributed to your injury.
Contact a Rhode Island Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If you have been injured at work, contact a Rhode Island workers’ compensation lawyers at one of our locations. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and lost wages, among other losses. We work with experienced workers compensation lawyers that charge no fee unless you obtain benefits or a settlement. For a free (no obligation) case evaluation, call us toll free at 1-800-992-6878. You may also fill out a contact form online.
Paul d’Oliveira
Attorney Paul d’Oliveira has been practicing personal injury and disability law for over 30 years. He started his personal injury law practice in 1989 with two offices in Fall River, MA and East Providence, RI. Today his firm has 16 offices in RI and Southeastern, MA.
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