Accidents and injuries can occur anywhere, including at your place of employment. When you are hurt on the job, there are special laws in the state of Rhode Island that govern how you are to be compensated for your injuries and lost wages. Known as workers’ compensation or workers’ comp, these rules are designed to protect you from financial difficulties when accidents happen that affect your ability to make a living. However, relying on the guidelines in place to protect you may not be sufficient in providing you with all the compensation you might be entitled to under the law.
When you try to navigate the complex world of workers’ compensation alone, you may be at the mercy of your employer and insurance company. Keep in mind these entities do not profit by giving you the most money for your injuries. In fact, they may try to convince you to settle for a much smaller amount, which might seem sufficient in the short-term but will not likely be enough to cover you financially over the long stretch. The team at Archambault Law is ready to ensure you receive your full compensation due by working with employers and insurance companies that may not provide all the benefit you should receive without legal action.
Different types of injuries can occur while you are at work, but some of the most common that qualify for worker’s compensation include:
When these types of work-related accidents occur, the injured party can pursue compensation for medical treatment, rehabilitation and wages lost due to the injury. Disability is also a benefit if the employee is unable to return to work. In the event of a wrongful death, surviving family members are entitled to death benefits for the loss of their loved one.
While it may seem most straightforward to take the path of least resistance and allow your employer and insurance company to guide you through the worker’s compensation process, this is not always the best choice for protecting your rights and pursuing full compensation for your injuries. Some of the rights you have when you are injured on the job include:
It is important that you make your attorney your primary point of contact as you work through the specifics of your case to protect your rights and interests throughout the legal process. It is also essential that you do not sign any paperwork without your attorney’s review and okay to do so. Attorney Stephen Archambault and his staff will make your interests our priority, even if it means renegotiating terms offered by your employer and the insurance company.
Rhode Island works under a no-fault workers’ compensation system, which is designed to reimburse employees for lost wages quickly and efficiently by eliminating the need to prove many of the elements in a typical personal injury case. Under this system, the injured worker does not have the burden of proof to show the work environment was hazardous or unsafe. An employee only needs to show that the injury was incurred on the job to qualify for benefits. Unfortunately, a no-fault system can give an accident victim a false sense that their case will be handled fairly under this design and that is not necessarily true.
As with many personal injury cases, the insurance company handling your claim will likely wish to settle as soon as possible. They may offer you a lump sum of money that may sound good at first, but will not adequately cover all your needs over the long term. Keep in mind the insurance company is looking out to protect themselves and their client (your employer) and will not make decisions with your best interests in mind. That is why legal representation by an experienced workers’ compensation attorney is so critical to the success of your case.
If you are involved in an accident that leaves you injured at work, don’t trust your employer and insurance company to provide you with the all the compensation you are entitled to under state law. The personal injury team at Archambault Law are prepared to argue on your behalf, so you receive the maximum benefits possible for your workers’ compensation claim. If you received a settlement that was not adequate or if you need help with a claim that your employer and insurance provider denied, we can help. Contact Archambault Law today at 401-300-0925 for a complimentary review of your case.
