Have you recently suffered an injury while working? Wondering if you should call an attorney? Getting a workers' compensation lawyer can make navigating your benefits much smoother. But when exactly should you make that call? Here are some of the situations where seeking legal help is wise.

What Counts as a Workplace Injury?

Not all on-the-job injuries require legal help. Small cuts or light sprains often heal on their own without issue. But if your injury causes you to miss work for an extended period of time, you likely need the experience of a workers' compensation lawyer. Examples of significant injuries include fractures that require surgery and physical therapy, back injuries causing ongoing pain or mobility issues, repetitive stress injuries that worsen over time, and exposure to harmful chemicals or asbestos.

How Do You Know if Your Employer Is Dragging Their Feet?

Some companies readily assist injured staff through the workers' compensation process. Others may give you the runaround to avoid paying benefits. Signs of employer reluctance include pressuring you to avoid filing a workers' compensation claim, denying your injury occurred at work or was severe, slowing the progress of your claim over several weeks, and not responding to requests for medical reimbursement.

Is Your Injury Expected to Cause Long-Term Impacts?

While small injuries heal, more traumatic events can impact your life for months or years to come. Severe injuries like spinal cord damage, amputations, head trauma, or burns leading to disability often have lasting effects. If doctors predict your workplace injury will have long-term impacts, having the input of a workers' compensation attorney is critical. They can help secure appropriate lifelong benefits, job retraining support, mental health services, and modified work duties that you may require.

According to IBISWorld, there are an estimated 449,633 law firms in the United States. This is because there are numerous benefits associated with calling in a legal professional when you are dealing with a legal situation. Calling a respected workers' compensation lawyer gives you an advocate and takes the stress out of claiming benefits. If your workplace injury is impeding your usual routine in any capacity, it may be time to hire an attorney. Our team can review your case and offer you advice on whether your case could benefit from the help of a legal professional. Reach out to us today at Kavanagh & Kavanagh LLC to schedule your free initial consultation.