Southaven Workers’ Compensation Attorney
Work-related injuries are alarmingly common in Mississippi. Data shows that Mississippi ranks fourth on the list of states with the highest workplace injury rates. Data also shows that every year, more than 200 workers in Mississippi suffer workplace injuries that require an extended hospital stay or lead to an amputation.
If you are a resident of Southaven, MS who has suffered a work-related injury, it is important to get legal representation right away. Filing a workers’ compensation claim can be a complicated process and any mistake on your part can lead to unnecessary delays in receiving the benefits you are entitled to.
The attorneys at The Pearson Law Firm have decades of combined experience in handling workers’ compensation claims and have helped thousands of workers get the benefits they deserve. If you have suffered a workplace injury, we can represent you, fight for your rights as a worker, and make sure you receive the compensation you are entitled to in a timely manner.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Mississippi – What You Need to Know
Following a work-related injury, you might be eligible to receive the following workers’ compensation benefits, depending on the severity of your injury and its impact on your earning capacity.
Medical Benefits
Your workers’ compensation benefits will cover all the expenses related to your medical treatment including surgery, ER charges, hospitalization expenses, doctor’s charges, nursing services, and prescription medications.
Rehabilitation Benefits
Your workers’ compensation benefits will also cover the expenses associated with your rehabilitation – physical therapy to help you achieve full recovery or maximum medical improvement as well as vocational therapy to rebuild your work skills so that you can be gainfully employed again.
Temporary Partial Disability Benefits
If you are unable to work as many hours as you used to or have to take a reduced workload due to your injuries, and if your earnings are impacted as a result, you can receive up to two-thirds of the difference between your regular earnings and reduced earnings.
Temporary Total Disability Benefits
If you are temporarily disabled and unable to work, you can receive up to two-thirds of your regular weekly wages until you get back to work or reach maximum medical improvement for up to 450 weeks.
Permanent Partial Disability Benefits
If you have permanently lost the use of a body part due to your injury and have to take a reduced workload as a result, you can receive up to two-thirds of your regular weekly earnings for a period of time – depending on the extent of your injury and the nature of your disability.
Permanent Total Disability Benefits
If you are totally and permanently disabled as a result of your injury and unable to work at all, you can receive up to two-thirds of your regular weekly earnings for up to 450 weeks.
Disfigurement Benefits
If you have significant disfigurement as a result of your injury, you can receive up to $5,000 in disfigurement benefits.
How to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Southaven, Mississippi
First and foremost, you need to get medical attention as soon as possible. Depending on the circumstances, you can choose to get treated in Prime Urgent Medical Clinic, Family Medical Clinic, Baptist Memorial Hospital Desoto, Methodist South Hospital, or any other clinic of your choice.
Any delay on your part in getting medical attention can affect your chances of getting the benefits you deserve, as the insurance company might argue that your injuries are not serious in nature, since you did not get treated right away.
Moreover, any delay in getting medical attention can also worsen your injuries and lead to life-threatening consequences. So, getting medical help should be your topmost priority following a workplace injury.
Under Mississippi law, you are required to report your work-related injury to your employer within a span of 30 days – from the date of the accident or from the date on which you became aware of your injury or illness.
Once you do, your employer will file a report about your injury with the workers’ compensation insurance company and the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Once the report is filed, the insurance will assess your claim and decide whether to accept it or deny it. If the claim is accepted, you will start receiving your benefits. If it is denied, you can file an appeal with the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Why Your Workers’ Comp Claim Might Be Denied in Southaven, Mississippi
- Failure to report the injury within the stipulated deadline
- Discrepancies between your injury report and your medical records
- Your employer might claim that it was a pre-existing injury
- Your employer might claim that it is not a work-related injury
- Your employer might claim that you were intoxicated when the accident happened
Workers’ Compensation Appeals Process in Southaven, Mississippi
If your claim was denied without a valid reason, you can file a Petition to Controvert with the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission. In some cases, your attorney might be able to resolve the issue by negotiating with the workers’ compensation insurance company. If that is not possible, your attorney will represent you at the administrative hearing, present the evidence to support your case, and make their arguments as to why your claim should be accepted.
If your claim is still denied, your attorney can help you appeal the decision by filing a petition with the Full Commission. If you are still not satisfied with the outcome, your attorney might be able to take your case to the state’s court system and help you get the benefits you deserve.
Injured on the Job? Let Our Experienced Southaven, MS Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Help You
At The Pearson Law Firm, we know the Mississippi workers’ compensation system better than anyone else. Our legal team is led by Keith Pearson, who is a highly rated attorney with nearly three decades of experience in handling workers’ compensation claims.
If you have suffered a work-related injury, we can help you file a claim and make sure you get the benefits you deserve. If your claim has been denied, we can file an appeal and fight aggressively to get the decision reversed.
We work on a contingency basis and will not charge you anything until we obtain compensation for you. Call us today at 662-793-1697 or get in touch with us online to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Southaven, MS workers’ compensation lawyer.