Your Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Questions Answered: I Was Injured at Work in Mississippi, But I am Unsure About Workers’ Comp
For many Mississippi workers who have been injured at work, getting hurt on the job can turn life upside down. Indeed, in the aftermath of a serious workplace accident, many Mississippi workers are unsure what to do after a workplace injury or how workers’ compensation benefits actually help. Medical bills can pile up quickly, missing work can create financial stress, and the workers’ compensation benefits application process can feel confusing or unfair. That is why if you were injured at work in Mississippi, it is important to understand how workers’ compensation laws work and what rights you have under these important laws. Here we explain the basics of how workers’ compensation laws in Mississippi help injured workers, and where to find legal help in Mississippi.
What Is Workers’ Compensation and How Does It Help Injured Workers?
Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that most Mississippi employers must carry to protect employees who get hurt on the job. As such, if you are a Mississippi worker, and you suffer a work-related injury or illness, workers’ compensation benefits may help cover your medical treatment, lost wages, and other related costs. Unlike a typical personal injury claim, you do not have to prove your employer did anything wrong. As long as your injury happened while performing your job duties, you may qualify for these important financial and medical benefits.
Workers’ compensation benefits can pay for doctor visits, emergency care, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, and long-term treatment if needed. If your work-related injury keeps you from working, you may receive wage replacement benefits that help cover part of your lost income. Some workers who suffer permanent injuries may also be eligible for additional compensation depending on the severity of their condition.
What Should You Do After an Injury at Work?
The workers’ compensation benefits process starts with your workplace injury. If you are hurt on the job, the first step is to report your injury to your employer as soon as possible. Mississippi law requires workers to notify their employer within a certain period of time, and waiting too long can hurt your claim. You should also seek medical treatment right away. Your employer or their insurance company may send you to a specific doctor, but you also have rights when it comes to choosing your treating physician.
It is also important to document your symptoms, follow your doctor’s instructions, and keep records of all medical visits. Even injuries that seem minor at first can become serious over time, so do not ignore pain or discomfort. Next, it is time to contact an experienced Mississippi workers’ compensation lawyer to help you.
How a Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Help
Although workers’ comp is meant to protect injured employees, the truth of the matter is that the process does not always run smoothly. Insurance companies may deny claims, minimize injuries, delay payments, or pressure you to return to work before you are ready. An experienced Mississippi workers’ compensation lawyer can help you understand your rights, gather the evidence needed to support your claim, and challenge an unfair denial to get you workers’ compensation benefits due to you.
Where to Find Legal Help in Mississippi Now
If you were injured at work in Mississippi and are unsure what to do next, an experienced Mississippi workers’ compensation lawyer can guide you through every step of your claim. The experienced Mississippi workers’ compensation lawyers at the law firm Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC are here to help injured workers get workers compensation benefits due to them. Contact Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC and speak with a lawyer about your case now.
