Randolph Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

All employees in Randolph should go to work every day knowing that it is a safe place and that they will not suffer an injury while there. If you or a loved one has been hurt while on the job, it is important to know that you may be entitled to compensation. 

All employers in Randolph and throughout Vermont are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Unfortunately, not all insurance companies want to pay out on these claims and many people are denied the benefits they deserve. A Randolph workers’ compensation lawyer can help injured workers with their claim and help them recover the benefits they need.

What is Workers’ Compensation?

Vermont law recognizes that no employee should go to work and become involved in an accident that results in an injury that incurs high medical bills and leaves them unable to work. For this reason, workers’ compensation is available that can provide benefits to cover a worker’s medical expenses and a portion of their lost income. The type of benefits claimed will depend on the extent and nature of the injury.

In Randolph, workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. This means that even when an employee caused the accident that resulted in injury, they can still file a workers’ compensation claim. Due to the fact that workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, after claiming benefits, injured workers also forfeit their right to file a lawsuit against their employer.

Compensation Available After a Workplace Accident

After a workplace accident, employees are entitled to a number of different benefits. These include:

  • Medical benefits
  • Temporary or permanent disability benefits
  • Vocational rehabilitation services
  • Death benefits for surviving family members

Although injured workers have the right to file a claim for these benefits, it is often a challenge. After an accident, workers should speak to a Randolph workers’ compensation lawyer that can hold employers and their insurance companies accountable for paying the benefits they need.

Temporary vs. Permanent Disability

The State of Vermont’s Department of Labor defines both temporary and permanent disabilities. A temporary disability is defined as an injury that prevents a person from working while they are recovering from their workplace injury. 

Temporary total disability benefits allow injured individuals to receive a weekly wage replacement that is approximately two-thirds of their regular gross wages (before taxes are taken out). To recover benefits for a temporary total disability, injured individuals must be unable to work for a minimum of four days.

After temporary disability benefits come to an end, injured individuals may be able to receive permanent disability benefits if they are still unable to work. Permanent disability benefits are generally given through periodic payments but in some cases, injured individuals may also be able to request benefits in a lump sum.

When to Hire a Randolph Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Many people think they can file a workers’ compensation claim on their own and in some cases, this is true. However, employers sometimes refute these claims and insurance companies use many strategies and tactics to deny or reduce these claims. Workers are often left wondering if they need the help of an attorney. If you have been hurt, you may need to work with a workers’ compensation lawyer in the following situations:

  • There is a delay in receiving your workers’ compensation benefits
  • Your workers’ compensation benefits, or any other benefits, have been denied
  • The injury you sustained is very serious and you are unsure of how to navigate complex legal and medical issues
  • You believe you have suffered a permanent disability but are unsure of how to claim permanent disability benefits
  • You do not think, or are unsure, of whether the impairment benefits the insurance company offered are fair
  • You have been given forms you do not understand or do not agree with and have been asked to sign them
  • You are not receiving temporary total disability benefits for the time you had to take off work for your injury

When an injured worker is unsure of whether they need to hire a lawyer when filing, they should err on the side of caution and schedule a consultation with an attorney that can review their claim.

Call Our Vermont Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Today

If you have been injured on the job and now need benefits to help deal with your medical expenses and lost income, do not hesitate to call our Randolph workers’ compensation lawyers at Sabbeth Law today. Our skilled attorneys will help you navigate the workers’ compensation system and we know how to hold your employer and their insurance company accountable. Call us today or fill out our online form to schedule a case review.