Law office of

John F Clennan ESQ

2206 Ocean Avenue Ronkonkoma NY 11779
631 588 6244 EMAIL deanofrpps@aol.com

Visit our website at:

http://john_f_clennan_esq.tripod.com

PRIMER on

WORKERS COMPENSATION

  • Why you should have a lawyer.
  • What are the pitfalls of representing yourself
  • How lawyers help you in workers compensation

IMPORTANT NOTE WHO IS THE EMPLOYER?

FAMOUS LAST WORDS

  • You don't really need a lawyer.

  • You can put this under your own health insurance.

  • You don't need all this paperwork.

    HAVE YOU HEARD THIS BEFORE?

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

A polite answer to any of those questions can lead to disaster.

By filing a work related injury with your health insurer you can waive an award under worker's compensation. Maybe that makes you sound like a nice guy, but your health insurer can decline to pay your medical bills if the bills relate to an on-the-job injury.

The Worker's Compensation Law provides for wage continuation and medical payments and in some cases an award. However if you don't file you get nothing.

The Form says: "Your right to Compensation benefits is controverted?"

Do you fully know what that means?

IT AIN'T YOUR UNCLE CHARLIE'S CLAIM

But I heard Uncle Charley just sat back, did nothing and a check came to him. He didn't have a lawyer and filled out no paperwork he can remember.

Every family has an Aunt Emma legend which gets better with every retelling. Just how much is true and how much is fable is the question.

Is it expensive to have a lawyer in a worker's compensation claim?

Lawyers cannot charge you. Counsel fees are set by the board usually at 10 - 15 % of the award.

What if the accident was mostly my fault?

Even if you caused the accident in most cases you are entitled to compensation benefits.

Shouldn't Workers Compensation benefits be automatic? Why should I get a lawyer?

Maybe the benefit ought to be automatic. Sad fact is that short-circuiting your rights has become a game in many instances in the workers compensation board. A lawyer will make sure that your paperwork is properly filed and that your entitlement to an award is protected.

If lawyers weren't necessities why would the law create a right to counsel?

Law office of John F Clennan
2206 Ocean Avenue Ronkonkoma NY 11779 631 588 6244 Visit our website at http://john_f_clennan_esq.tripod.com

member INJURED WORKER`S BAR ASSOCIATION


NOTE: for informational purposes only.It is not personal or professional advice. You rights depend on your situation. An attorney-client relationship is not hereby established. Retainer is by written document only. In most cases private consultation is required. Fax and Email are for fun only. FAX and Email may not be used for notifications or for service of court papers.