Weston Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Weston FL Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

There are dozens of reasons why your workers’ compensation claim may be denied. Even if the facts of the case are on your side, insurers often deny claims for minor errors or administrative mistakes. Why? Insurance is a business. If insurers can get out of paying a claim, many will opt to do just that. Sometimes, administrative mistakes and other minor errors are easy to clear up. Other times, they require experienced legal guidance from a Weston, FL workers’ compensation lawyer. If your claim has been denied, you have the option to file an appeal. Because the appeals process can be complicated, it is a good idea to seek help from a Weston, FL, workers’ compensation lawyer at Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt. Our team can help you navigate this process as efficiently and effectively as possible so that you get the benefits you’re entitled to in a timely manner.  Talk to the Insurer First The reason for claim denial may have been a small error or omission. If that’s the case, you could potentially clear it up with a phone call to the insurance adjuster assigned to your claim. The adjuster can file an “internal appeal,” but results are not guaranteed. We are more than happy to have a member of our Weston, FL, workers’ compensation lawyer team take this step on your behalf. If this doesn’t solve the problem, it’s time to take more formal action. Formal Appeal with the OJCC The Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims is the agency in charge of your appeal. You’ll need to file a petition with the OJCC’s clerk of court, and do so within one year of your last medical treatment. Your petition should include details about how the accident happened, what your injuries were, how much money you have lost as a result of the accident and which benefits you are seeking. After the petition is filed, the OJCC will contact your employer (and the work comp insurer). The employer has 14 days to respond directly or through the insurer. There will likely still be a dispute over benefits, which will result in a formal hearing in a judicial setting. If, for some reason, neither your employer nor the insurer responds within 14 days of notification, the insurer is required to pay your claim. Working with a Good Attorney Is Key While the appeals process may sound relatively straightforward, things get much murkier when there are disputes about the details (large and small) of any given case. You’ll likely have a lot of questions, of which the OJCC can only answer some. Moreover, none of the parties mentioned above can give you answers or advice in your best interests. In fact, your employer and the insurance company have a vested interest in ensuring that your appeal is unsuccessful so that they don’t have to pay for your claim or have a claim affect their premiums. For sound advice and answers in your best interests, you’ll need to hire your own attorney.

Therapy for Mental or Psychological Conditions and Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Those who suffer from a mental or psychological illness often seek medical treatment through therapy sessions with a licensed mental health professional. Mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, bipolar, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be devastating for an employee. It can render them less productive than they may be without the condition, or unable to work at all which likely will leave them without an income. Workers’ compensation lawyers in Weston FL from the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt can help you to document a detailed list of your losses as a result of your condition.

Workers’ Compensation Claim Denials

The employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company may not be willing to cover the costs of therapy for employees. Despite the fact that an employee’s mental health condition may be drastically improved by seeing a licensed medical professional, the skeptical insurance company may deny the claim. Costs of therapy and medications for mental health conditions can be expensive, and the insurance company may question whether or not the condition was actually caused by a work-related incident or environment. It is often times hard to prove that a mental health condition was caused or agitated by work-related stress. Stress is oftentimes not enough reason to prove to workers’ comp insurance companies that a mental health condition is truly due to the work environment. Even if an employee experiences symptoms of PTSD from an especially stressful or traumatic event at work, they may be questioned as to whether or not the illness was a pre-existing condition. Workers’ compensation lawyers in Weston FL from the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt can help you prove that your claim is valid.

Physical and Mental Health Injuries that Occur in the Workplace

If an employee sustained a physical injury at work, and it was subsequently followed with a mental health condition as a result (such as PTSD), the employee may be more likely to get workers’ comp benefits for both conditions. For example, if a fire occurs at work, resulting in an employee getting burned, the employee may develop anxiety about returning to the job in case of another fire. In this scenario, the employee has definitive proof that the fire resulted in a physical injury, which then led to a mental condition. The employee would likely receive benefits for any therapy required to treat the lingering mental illness from the trauma of the work-related incident. Although getting workers’ comp insurance to cover therapy expenses for a mental illness may be difficult, it is not impossible. There are ways to get workers’ comp benefits for the treatment of mental health conditions, especially when the employee is not working up to his or her normal standards. If you believe you are experiencing the symptoms of a mental or psychological condition that was directly caused by a workplace situation or event, contact us at the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt to speak with one of our workers’ compensation lawyers in Weston FL.

Contact an Attorney

An attorney who has experience in workers’ compensation disagreements can answer any questions you may have about workers’ comp benefits. We can help you exercise your rights to compensation that should be provided to you for your mental health condition. Weston FL Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Work injuries are never expected, but when they happen make sure to call a Weston FL work injury compensation lawyer as soon as possible. When you or a loved one has been hurt at work, don’t turn to your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company. They will not be looking out for your best interest. They will be looking out for their own interests And when you are hurt at work, your interests and your employer’s interests are not the same. Workers’ compensation lawyers are trained to handle difficult insurance company adjusters and their work comp doctors who don’t listen and turn a blind eye to your complaints. After being hurt at work, an experienced Weston FL work injury lawyer can help you receive the medical care and lost wages that are provided by law. The work injury compensation lawyers at the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt are ready and willing to speak with you about your workplace injury today. Let us help explain what the work comp law provides for and what tricks the insurance companies will employ to deny your benefits. After reporting an injury and seeking medical care, call an attorney before making any statements to the insurance company. Many things that you don’t think are important or a big deal can become important and are a big deal to the insurance company. Even the tiniest detail may be something the insurance company can take advantage of and use to prevent your access to medical care and lost wages. Don’t wait when deciding whether to consult a workers’ compensation lawyer in Weston FL. It could mean the difference in receiving medical care and lost wages or none at all. Remember, documenting an injury is one of the most important things you can do. Many cases have been denied because there is no evidence to show that an accident occurred, was reported or that body parts were injured. Email, text or take a picture to document everything. If your employer claims they never received your notice of injury, we will be equipped with a copy of the email you sent after the accident to prove they are lying. When you go to a work comp doctor, don’t presume they will include all of the body parts you injured. These doctors and clinics are only being paid to treat certain authorized body parts. Authorized by workers’ compensation. If the work comp carrier doesn’t authorize all of the body parts you injured, the doctors won’t treat them. If you never wrote down on the intake that you hurt a certain area, and months or years go by without care, the likelihood that a judge will find you hurt that body part on the date of accident is very small. Document all body parts injured, even if you have to write it down on the doctor’s intake form when you first treat. An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer is your best bet to ensure you receive all of the benefits to which you are entitled to under the law. Let us help you obtain the medical care you need to get better and the money to pay the bills and put food on your table until you are ready to go back to work. Contact the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt for a free consultation. Contact Us For Answers And Legal Advocacy Our practice is heavily focused on workers’ compensation matters, and we are proud to help injured Florida workers seek benefits. And we are ready to represent you from initial filing through all levels of appeal. To learn more about how we can guide you through this sometimes-difficult and frustrating process, call our office to arrange an initial consultation with a Weston, FL, workers’ compensation lawyer today. We look forward to speaking with you. 

Client Review

“I want to thank Lisa, Kim and Eric for their great work in getting my settlememt completed. They where always there if I needed anything or had a question. I would highly recommend them if you need help with a Workers Comp Case. Again thanks for your professionalism and hard work. ” Kevin Clark