Is It Worth Getting A Workers’ Compensation Attorney?
Johnson City

If you suffered a work-related illness or injury, you may be wondering whether you should hire a Johnson City workers’ compensation attorney.  The answer depends on the extent of the injuries, the complexity of the case, and how an employer (and its insurance company) addresses a claim.

It is possible to navigate the workers’ compensation process without the representation of a lawyer; particularly if your injury is relatively minor and will quickly heal completely with little work time missed.  However, if an injury is severe, or if there is a dispute, an insurer refuses to pay a fair amount, or a denial is unjustly issued, having the assistance of an experienced Tennessee workers’ compensation lawyer can significantly increase the chances of securing a favorable determination and a full award of benefits.

If you suffered a work-related injury, call our office to schedule a free consultation to learn how we can improve your chances of securing maximum compensation.  Experienced Johnson City workers’ compensation lawyer Mark Hurt can listen to the facts of your case and provide an honest appraisal of whether you should proceed on your own.  Further, Mark can handle all legal aspects of your case so you can focus on what is important—your recovery and healing.

Can I Afford a Johnson City Worker’s Compensation Attorney for My Workers’ Compensation Claim?

Individuals who hire an experienced Johnson City workers’ compensation lawyer generally end up receiving higher settlements or awards than those who represent themselves, even after taking into account attorney’s fees.

When you hire The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, you will pay no upfront legal fees for us to handle your claim.  We represent injured workers on contingency, meaning we only get paid if compensation is obtained, and our fee is capped by law at 20% of the recovery or award received.

When Should I Hire an Attorney for My Workers’ Compensation Case?

In certain situations, it is vital to be represented by a Tennessee workers’ compensation lawyer who will tenaciously fight to protect your legal rights and interests.  We encourage you to call our office to schedule a complimentary consultation if:

You have a severe work-related injury or illness.

Severe and catastrophic injuries often equate to more exorbitant medical bills, lost wages, and higher permanent disability awards.  As such, insurance companies are more likely to strongly oppose these types of claims, hoping to avoid paying out substantial sums of compensation.

When an insurance company fights a claim, injured workers often face intentional delays, demands for independent medical exams, allegations that a condition was not caused by work, and low, unfair settlement offers.  We know how to stand up for our client’s legal rights against such tactics.

If you suffered a debilitating work injury or illness, you deserve full and fair compensation for your losses and expenses.  At The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, we tenaciously fight to get the maximum compensation possible for work-related injuries.

You have preexisting conditions.

A common tactic utilized by insurance companies to avoid paying full compensation is to argue that an injury or illness was due to a preexisting condition or natural aging.  Physicians may disagree on the extent that a complex medical issue is attributable to work and preexisting conditions; thus, it may help to seek a second opinion.

We regularly work with medical specialists who provide medical opinions regarding an injury’s source.  If an insurer contests a work-related injury, we can determine whether a secondary medical opinion would be helpful and, if so, refer you to a healthcare provider who can evaluate your injuries.

It’s important to note that employers have the right to seek what is called an “independent medical examination”, or “IME”, from a doctor of their choosing.  Despite the name, there is nothing “independent” about these doctors or their opinions.

These doctors are hired and paid by the employer and/or insurance company.  They know that if they wish to be included on the IME list of doctors for future consideration, it will be helpful if their opinions lean in favor of the employer or insurance company, and their objectives to limit costs.

You are unable to return to work after an injury.

Permanent disability benefits can be extremely costly for insurers; therefore, they will often try to minimize an individual’s disability rating to avoid paying fair compensation.  If your work-related injury or illness affects your ability to work for a significant period, hiring a lawyer may be essential to helping you obtain enough (and the correct amount of) compensation to cover the loss of future wages.

Your medical treatment is being prematurely discontinued.

Insurance companies have a monetary incentive to seek to discontinue treatment as soon as possible, and also to not approve recommended treatment.  If you’ve been injured, your course of treatment needs to be discussed between you and your physician, and such treatment should continue so long as it is medically beneficial.

If your injury is severe and likely to require significant ongoing treatment, it will be best to retain an experienced worker’s compensation attorney at the outset of your case, who will be by your side so that an insurance company knows that they will be vigorously opposed if they try to discontinue your treatment early.

Your worker’s compensation claim was denied. 

You should consult with our office immediately if your employer’s insurance company denies or disputes part of your claim.  Insurers routinely deny claims, hoping that injured employees will not appeal or challenge unfavorable determinations.  Unfortunately, many workers take denials at face value, missing out on much-needed benefits to which they are rightfully entitled.

Injured workers have a right to appeal denied workers’ compensation applications.  Often, this is the only way to secure the benefits they deserve.  However, the appeals process is challenging, as there are strict deadlines, rigid rules, and extensive paperwork and documentation are required.  Failure to comply with the guidelines can easily result in a claim being denied on a technicality.  Don’t let this happen to you; we can help navigate through every step of the process.

For over two decades, we have successfully secured workers’ compensation benefits for clients who were initially denied.  As an experienced workers’ compensation attorney servicing Johnson City and the surrounding communities, Mark Hurt can assist in presenting your case in the most compelling and convincing light possible by preparing you for a hearing, collecting documentation and supporting evidence highlighting the extent of work-related injuries, hiring experts to substantiate a claim, and effectively questioning witnesses.

Call Our Offices to Schedule a Complimentary Consultation with An Experienced Johnson City, TN Workers’ Compensation Lawyer.

If you have questions regarding a workers’ compensation application or need assistance filing an appeal, contact The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt to schedule a complimentary case evaluation to learn about your legal options.  Our initial consultations are always free, and we never charge a fee unless we are successful in obtaining compensation on your behalf.