How Do State Laws Affect the Compensation Received After a Work Injury?
While nearly anyone can get injured at work, there are certain occupations that are more dangerous. Jobs that involve construction, heavy equipment, and specialized tools are generally more likely to result in employee injuries. If you’ve been affected by an occupational hazard and are planning to seek workers’ compensation benefits, it’s important to understand how state laws affect the compensation received after a work injury.
Workers’ Compensation and State Laws
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses were reported by private industry employers in 2018—over 900,000 of which resulted in at least one missed day at work. The majority of accidents resulted from contact with objects and equipment or falls, slips, and trips.
When an employee is injured on the job and their employer is properly insured, they are likely to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. The benefits provide critical financial support so the injured person can pay their bills and keep food on the table while taking medically necessary time off of work to heal.
Workers’ compensation programs are state-based, which means your benefits and filing requirements will be based on where you live. If you have questions or concerns about filing or believe you deserve more compensation than you’re being offered, an attorney can fight for your rights and determine if a work injury lawsuit is necessary.
When Workers’ Compensation Isn’t Enough
While workers’ compensation can help pay for medical bills, lost wages, and physical therapy, there are times where the benefits fall short of what the employee needs. Depending on the situation, the injured person may have additional routes to seek compensation—particularly in the event a third-party caused the work accident.
If a third-party, meaning an individual or entity other than your employer, contributed to your work injury, you can file a work injury lawsuit to seek compensation for the losses not covered by workers’ compensation. That could include pain and suffering, additional lost wages, and compensation for permanent disability or disfigurement.
If you believe a third-party caused your injury at work, your lawyer will help you build a case that proves you were wrongfully injured. Many cases are built on defective products and toxin exposure. While filing a lawsuit can get you full and fair compensation once it finalizes, there’s a chance that it could take a significant amount of time. If you’re struggling financially now, there are other options too.
What to Do If You’re Struggling Financially During a Lawsuit
When you’re dealing with legal matters and physical injuries, you shouldn’t have to worry about maintaining your quality of life financially. If you’re in a harrowing financial situation and have filed a personal injury lawsuit, you could benefit from applying for lawsuit funding.
A pre-settlement cash advance from a legal funding company is different than a traditional bank loan. Instead of analyzing your credit and employment history, we’ll only need to verify you’ve filed a personal injury claim. One of our lawsuit funding experts will review your situation, discuss the matter with your lawyer, and determine if your case is strong enough to warrant funding from Preferred Capital Funding.
Depending on where you live, your funding could be nonrecourse. This means that in the event you were to lose your lawsuit, you wouldn’t have to pay us back the money we gave to you. We absorb the risk when we believe your case is strong enough to win. Whether your funding is nonrecourse or not, we’ll explain your rights to you and ensure you fully understand the terms and conditions of borrowing prior to signing any paperwork.
Contact Preferred Capital Funding
At Preferred Capital Funding, we understand the financial challenges of pursuing a work injury claim. Depending on your situation, you could be in the midst of fighting for your right to workers’ compensation or you could be seeking additional monetary awards for what you were wrongfully put through.
Fortunately, lawsuit funding can give your lawsuit the time it needs to achieve maximum success. When you won’t have to worry about medical bills and regular expenses you can’t afford because of your inability to work, you can dedicate your time to working with your lawyer and improving your chances of receiving full and fair compensation.
If you believe you could benefit from a pre-settlement cash advance, discuss the matter with your lawyer. If you decide to proceed, simply submit an application with us. The process is simple and only requires basic information. Once we review your case and speak with your lawyer, you could have the money you need in as little as 24 hours.
