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At NST Law, we are dedicated to helping injured individuals and their families get the justice and compensation they deserve.
Mr. Trotz has handled personal injury cases involving car accidents, trucking accidents, slip and fall, premises liability, and negligent security. Each and every day, Mr. Trotz represents those who have been injured through no fault of their own, and many of his clients have sustained traumatic, catastrophic and life-altering injuries.
Injured workers need medical treatment and a source of income while they recover from a workplace accident. Lawsuits can take months or years to resolve. Workers’ compensation provides a means for workers to receive immediate financial relief and free medical treatment without having to prove negligence by the employer.
The Knoxville personal injury attorneys at NST Law have been helping injured employees for over three decades, and we have a thorough understanding of the workers’ comp claims process.
The following employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance at their own expense:
Additionally, according to state workers’ compensation law, it is illegal for employers to charge employees for any portion of their workers’ comp insurance premiums.
Workers’ compensation provides two categories of benefits for compensable injuries:
Medical benefits include the following:
The authorized treating physician is selected by the employee from a panel of three physicians designated by the employer.
Permanent disability benefits provide a lump sum settlement to employees who do not fully recover from their injuries. Employees who are permanently disabled receive an impairment rating, which helps determine their disability award.
There are two types of permanent disability benefits:
It is advisable to seek legal advice at any point in the claims process but particularly at this point.
Our Knoxville workers’ compensation attorneys can draw upon our experience to determine a fair and just settlement amount and negotiate skillfully and aggressively on your behalf. We are also able to thoroughly review any assigned impairment rating given by your physician.
The Tennessee Department of Vocational Rehabilitation offers permanently disabled employees job training for a new career. Some types of work may be possible, even with permanent disabilities, with the right training.
This program, known as the Next Step Program, is only available to employees who have received a permanent disability rating through workers’ compensation.
Family members are entitled to claim the following death benefits in the tragic event that a worker sustains a fatal injury:
If you are injured on the job, it is important to promptly complete the following steps:
Employers with fewer than five employees who are not part of the construction or mining industries have the option to opt out of workers’ compensation. Since these employers are not protected by workers’ compensation, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against them.
In these cases, you would have to prove the employer’s negligence caused your injuries, and it could take considerably longer to receive your compensation. However, you can receive higher compensation since you will also be able to sue for noneconomic damages such as mental anguish plus punitive damages in some cases. Our Knoxville workers’ compensation lawyers can advise you on the best route for dealing with any legal issues that may present with your claim.
If the employer was illegally operating without workers’ compensation, injured workers can request benefits through the state’s Uninsured Fund. This fund provides eligible workers with up to $20,000 in medical benefits and up to $20,000 in temporary disability benefits.
Workers’ compensation is the exclusive remedy for injured workers against employers, and this includes coworkers. However, you can sue third parties whose negligence contributed to the injury. For example, if you are injured in an automobile accident in a company vehicle, you could file a claim against the other driver or a vehicle parts manufacturer.
Defective equipment often causes injuries, and in these cases, manufacturers could be sued. If the owner of a worksite is not the employer and you are injured because of unsafe premises, the owner could be liable.
Third-party claims can help you receive additional compensation for noneconomic damages such as disfigurement, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium.
It is illegal for an employer to retaliate against a worker for exercising legal rights, including the right to file a workers’ compensation claim. Retaliation includes discipline and termination. Although you cannot sue the employer for workers’ compensation benefits, you do have the right to sue for wrongful termination.
Most work-related injuries must be reported to the employer within 15 days of the injury or the date you knew or should have known about the injury.
Most appeals must be filed within one year of the report of injury if the claim was denied. If the employer voluntarily paid benefits, the Tennessee workers’ compensation statute of limitations is the latter of:
If your claim is denied on the basis that your injury is not compensable (work-related), you have the right to appeal the decision through the Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims. If the dispute is related to authorized medical treatment, you can request a utilization review. It is best to allow an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer to represent you through this process.
Our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers know how to file successful claims, navigate the appeals process, handle the insurance company and calculate reasonable compensation given your injuries.
Our Knoxville law offices are conveniently located to help victims of workplace accidents throughout Knox County and the surrounding areas, including Maryville, Sevierville, Clinton, and Chattanooga.
The Super Lawyers recognized legal team at NST Law has a proven record of success in helping injured victims receive maximum compensation. We have recovered over $2 billion in verdicts, judgments, and settlements on behalf of thousands of deserving clients, including the following:
These results are the by-product of our relentless and fervent advocacy on behalf of our clients. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
Contact us for a free consultation now so that we can review your case and decide how we can best help you.
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