If you were injured due to another person’s negligence or inaction, it’s possible to receive compensation for your medical bills. In fact, for on-the-job injuries, you may be able to receive reimbursement payments for your medical bills through workers’ compensation benefits. So, what’s it Called for Getting Paid from a Medical Incident?
There are different aspects to getting paid from a medical incident, which is why it’s a good idea to speak with an attorney after suffering a serious injury. A skilled lawyer can answer your questions about terminology and what steps to take next after an injury.
Below, the team at Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers would like to explore how people are compensated for their medical expenses. We’ll also consider other financial losses someone could get after a serious accident, and why it’s helpful to consult an attorney about your next steps. If you were injured and have questions about compensation for medical expenses after an accident, contact our law offices in Vest Virginia and Virginia.
Work-Related Injuries and Medical Bills
When you suffer a serious on-the-job injury at work, it can leave you facing thousands of dollars in medical debt, if not tens of thousands of dollars. Getting compensated for these medical expenses following an incident at work is imperative as it can keep you out of long-term debt over something that was not your fault.
There are different ways to get paid for medical expenses following a workplace injury. There are workers’ compensation claims and there are also third-party liability claims. Both are viable ways of getting compensated for your medical expenses. Let’s discuss each option below.
Workers’ Compensation Coverage After On-the-Job Injury
For many people who are injured on the job, they can apply for workers’ compensation benefits to help cover the cost of healing from their injuries. Under workers’ compensation, employees will have their medical care needs covered for work-related injuries or illnesses developed as a result of their job. Workers’ compensation will also help cover transportation for medical procedures.
Keep in mind that the state of West Virginia and Virginia may have some exceptions regarding workers’ compensation coverage, and your line of work and nature of your employment are important considerations as well.
Check with your employer about their workers’ compensation coverage. You can also visit the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner for more information.
Third-Party Liability Claims After a Work-Related Injury
Workers’ compensation is not the only way to receive compensation for medical incidents related to an on-the-job injury. You could also file a third-party claim for a workplace accident.
A third-party claim is filed against an individual or entity outside of your workplace who caused or contributed to your work injury. There are different examples of this, including:
- Filing a third-party claim against the manufacturer of faulty power tool or the maker of specific machinery that is used to do your job
- Filing a third-party claim against a reckless driver who hit your work vehicle while trying to make a delivery for your job
- Filing a third-party claim against a property owner whose hazardous conditions led to a serious slip, trip, or fall on the premises
- Filing a third-party claim against contractors or subcontractors who failed to perform their work safely or effectively, causing injuries as a result
Third-party claims aren’t always a viable option if you’re looking to get paid back after suffering a medical emergency at work. However, it could be the best way to maximize your payout and overall compensation.
How Our Law Firm Can Help You with Medical Bills After a Work Injury
Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers has helped numerous people throughout West Virginia when dealing with workplace injuries. That applies to both workers’ comp claims and third-party claims.
Assistance with Workers’ Comp Claims, Denials, and Appeals
We can help with the workers’ compensation process to ensure you receive the money you need to pay your medical bills and cover lost earnings.
If your workers’ compensation claim was denied, our attorneys can review the insurance company’s justification for doing so. We can also help you make an appeal. Many times insurance companies will claim that the injury was not work related or that the injury wasn’t reported properly.
Having an attorney on your side can be invaluable to making your case, presenting the facts of what happened, and truly having your voice heard.
Assistance with Third-Party Claims for Work Injuries
When assessing your situation, we can let you know if it’s worth filing a third-party claim for your on-the-job injuries. Our team will let you know what your chances are of receiving compensation and what steps to take next.
To discuss your on-the-job injury and medical bills with experienced work injury attorneys near you, contact our law offices in Vest Virginia and Virginia.
Compensation for Medical Bills After an Accident
In a personal injury case, people seek compensation to address various financial losses associated with an accident or act of violence. This includes medical expenses after an injurious incident. For many personal injury cases, compensation is used to cover the following medical bills:
- Emergency Medical Care – After a crash, you may be taken to a hospital or need to visit the ER. Compensation covers the cost of emergency care, including the ambulance ride and any urgent and stabilizing treatments.
- Life-Saving Surgery – Some accidents are so severe that they require emergency surgery to save a person’s life. Compensation can cover the cost of these kinds of medical procedures.
- Follow-Up Visits with Doctors – Multiple visits with doctors and other medical specialists may be necessary to address the needs of the patient and ensure a full recovery.
Compensation for Future Medical Needs After an Accident
For those injured in a serious car accident or a major fall, ongoing medical care may be necessary. That’s why seeking legal compensation allows people to get paid for all kinds of long-term medical care needs. Examples include:
- Physical Rehabilitation – Physical therapy can help accident survivors build back strength and mobility as part of their long-term recovery from injury. This is also essential for pain management and improving overall health and wellness.
- Occupational Therapy – Occupational therapy is essential for people who acquire a long-term or permanent disability from their injuries. Through occupational therapy, you can learn how to adapt your movements to perform daily tasks such as dressing yourself, practicing good hygiene, driving, and shopping.
- Ongoing Medical Care – Catastrophic injuries may require multiple doctor visits to address the full scope of the trauma sustained. Compensation can be calculated to address the cost of future medical treatments.
- Assistive Devices – If you need a prosthesis, wheelchair, screen reader, new glasses, a hearing aid, or any kind of assistive device(s) to accomplish daily tasks, compensation can cover these expenses.
Compensation for Mental Health Counseling After an Accident
In addition to the above treatments for physical trauma, it’s also worth noting the ways an accident can impact someone’s psychological health and emotional well-being.
Compensation can be used to cover the cost of psychological treatment, including therapy and counseling to treat depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder brought on by the serious injury.
There are additional medical expenses that can be covered, but this should give you a good sense of how you can be paid for medical incidents stemming from a serious accident or injury.
Other Compensation Associated with Injury Accidents
Medical bills aren’t the only financial losses covered by compensation after an accident. Many people also seek compensation to address the following losses:
- Damage to Property and Personal Belongings – If your property was damaged or any of your belongings were ruined during your accident, you may be able to have the cost of repairs or replacement covered while seeking compensation.
- Lost Wages While Recovering from Injuries – Some injuries will require time off from work in order to recuperate. If you took extended leave for any injuries, compensation can help cover the expense you had to shoulder yourself.
- Long-Term Effects on Future Earning Potential – A debilitating injury can have lasting effects on your mobility, which could affect your ability to earn a living. Compensation will address the loss of future income because of changes in your career due to injuries.
Compensation After a Fatal Accident, Injury, or Medical Incident
If you lose a loved one in a fatal accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim against the negligent party. In a wrongful death lawsuit, compensation can be sought to cover funeral expenses, lost income caused by your loved one’s death, loss of companionship, grief counseling, and the long-term effects of your loved one’s total absence from your household.
How Our Law Firm Can Assist with Medical Bills After a Serious Accident
Working with a lawyer after an accident can help maximize the value of your claim. We can discuss what information you need to provide in order to assess the current expenses you’ve paid out-of-pocket as well as the future cost of your care.
If you’re currently recovering after a serious accident, contact our personal injury lawyers in West Virginia and Virginia. For anyone who is still recovering from their injuries, remember—we can come to you or visit you at a convenient location for a free case evaluation.
Do I Need a Lawyer If I Am Trying to Get Compensated for Medical Expenses?
It’s not always necessary to have a lawyer on your side when seeking compensation, but it can have many advantages, especially if you suffered catastrophic injuries at work or in a collision.
- Learn the True Value of Your Claim – You may not be considering all of the ways a work injury or serious accident affected your daily life. A lawyer can help identify all of the unexpected costs related to the harm you suffered.
- Experience Negotiating with Insurance Companies – Many people will simply take an initial offer from insurance without being able to negotiate a better counteroffer. Experienced attorneys know how to deal with insurance companies and negotiate better offers by leveraging the evidence in the claim.
- Help You Stay on Top of Deadlines and Other Minutiae – There are different filing deadlines and statutes of limitations you need to keep in mind when seeking compensation. Our attorneys can stay on top of those so you can focus on recovery with total peace of mind.
- Guidance on If You Should Accept a Settlement Offer – Sometimes a final offer seems enticing, but you may be able to get more compensation if you take your case all the way to court. Your lawyer will let you know the best way to maximize your claim and if the risk is worth the reward.
Why Choose Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers for Legal Help
Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers has a strong reputation in West Virginia and northern Virginia. Whether you were injured on the job or seriously hurt in an accident, our legal team is ready to advocate for you and make sure your voice is heard.
More Than 60 Years of Combined Experience
Our team of attorneys have more than 60 years of combined legal experience. We can pool our decades of knowledge to come up with the best possible solution for our clients’ cases.
Over $100 Million Won for Our Clients
Over the years, our lawyers have won more than $100 million for our clients. Feel free to browse our verdicts and settlements to learn what we can do for you after a workplace accident, serious injury, or financial loss.
Free Case Evaluations
Your consultation with us is free of charge. You have doctor bills and other out-of-pocket health expenses to worry about. You don’t have to pay anything just to speak with experienced lawyers who will answer your questions about settlements and legal compensation.
We Can Accommodate Your Schedule
If you are unable to come to our law office, we can arrange a chance to meet at a location that’s more convenient for you. We’ll make sure you can be heard and get the answers you need.
We have two offices in West Virginia: a law office in Charles Town and the other law office in Matinsburg. We also have a law office in Winchester, VA, allowing us to serve communities in northern Virginia.
Contact Our Attorneys to Discuss Payment for Medial Incidents and Expenses
For more information about your options for getting compensation after a medical emergency or simply to pay your medical bills, contact our law offices in Vest Virginia and Virginia. Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers is on your side.