I was Injured on the Job in Mississippi – Does Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Automatically Cover Me?
One of the things that workers who have recently been injured in Mississippi and their families may wonder is whether Mississippi workers’ compensation “automatically” kicks in after a serious workplace injury happens, such that a worker need not do anything to get Mississippi workers’ compensation benefits. The truth of the matter is that while most Mississippi workers who have been injured on the job, and who are unable to work due to their workplace injury, are entitled to the protections and benefits of Mississippi workers’ compensation laws, there are certain steps that must be taken first, and eligibility criteria under the law must be met in order for an injured Mississippi worker to start receiving benefits in their case. But what exactly are the steps that injured Mississippi workers must take in order to get important Mississippi workers’ compensation benefits, and where can Mississippi workers go for legal help after they suffer a serious and debilitating workplace injury? We answer those questions here.
The Mississippi Workers’ Compensation System – No-Fault, but Not Automatic
At the outset, it is important for Mississippi workers and their families to understand a little bit about the Mississippi workers’ compensation system. The Mississippi workers’ compensation system is a no-fault system, however injured workers who seek Mississippi workers’ compensation benefits still must meet certain eligibility criteria in order to get benefits granted to them. This means that while an injured worker need not prove that their employer was at fault in order to obtain benefits, they still must meet the eligibility prongs under the law. For example, one of the key “prongs” in determining whether an injured Mississippi worker is eligible for workers’ compensation benefits is that their injury was “job-related.” The injured worker must also be classified as an employee, as opposed to an independent contractor, must not have been intoxicated when the injury occurred, and must be employed by an employer that is not exempt from Mississippi workers’ compensation laws. There are other key “prongs” that injured Mississippi workers must meet under Mississippi workers’ compensation laws, in order to get workers’ compensation benefits.
In addition to being legally eligible for benefits, injured Mississippi workers must take certain steps under Mississippi laws in order to obtain Mississippi workers’ compensation benefits. Certain reporting requirements apply to Mississippi workers’ compensation cases. Accordingly, for the best chance of obtaining benefits, it is best to speak with an experienced Mississippi workers’ compensation lawyer to learn about your rights, options, and the best next steps to take in your specific and unique case.
Getting Legal Help from a Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If you suffered a workplace injury in Mississippi and you need legal help, contact the experienced Mississippi workers’ compensation lawyers at the law firm Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC. The experienced Mississippi workers’ compensation lawyers at the law firm Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC are here to help injured Mississippi workers get workers’ compensation benefits due to them. Contact Lunsford Basin & Priebe, PLLC today and speak to a lawyer about your case now.
