When a workplace injury disrupts your life, you need more than just legal help; you need someone who truly understands what you’re going through. At Allen & Allen, we often see the anxiety and stress on our clients’ faces when they describe how they can’t work after a workplace accident, the medical bills that are piling up, and when they wonder how they’ll provide for their families.
We know what you’re up against and how much you have at stake. A Chesterfield worker’s compensation lawyer with Allen & Allen can evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and plot the best path forward – one that will give you the help you need to get your life back on track after a workplace injury.
If you’re having trouble accessing the workers’ compensation you deserve, call Allen & Allen today. When we work together, your fight becomes our fight.
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Chesterfield Workers’ Compensation Guide
- Understanding workers’ compensation in Virginia
- The impact of workplace injuries in Chesterfield
- How Allen & Allen helps injured workers in Chesterfield
- When should I contact a workers’ compensation lawyer?
- Common causes of workplace injuries in Virginia
- Common workplace injuries covered by workers’ compensation
- Types of workers’ compensation benefits you may claim
- Why choose Allen & Allen for your Chesterfield workers’ compensation claim?
- Get help with your Chesterfield workers’ compensation claim
Understanding workers’ compensation in Virginia
Workers’ compensation is a state-mandated insurance program that provides beneficios to employees who suffer job-related injuries or illnesses. Virginia law mandates that most employers with three or more employees carry this insurance.
How workers’ compensation works
When you’re injured at work, your employer’s workers’ compensation provides benefits regardless of who was at fault for the injury. In exchange for these guaranteed benefits, you generally cannot sue your employer for the injury.
If workers’ compensation always worked as intended, workers wouldn’t need a workers’ compensation attorney to help them obtain fair compensation. Inured workers would receive:
- Guaranteed benefits for qualifying injuries without proving fault
- Quick access to medical treatment
- Partial wage replacement while you recover
- No out-of-pocket costs for medical care
- Protection from job loss due to filing a claim
Unfortunately, because for-profit insurance companies provide the compensation, things don’t always work out smoothly. Insurance companies often minimize or deny claims to protect their bottom line, while employers may retaliate against employees who report injuries because they don’t want their insurance rates to go up.
But those aren’t the only drawbacks. Other limitations could potentially harm injured workers and their families.
Limitations of Workers’ Compensation
- Benefits are set by law and may not cover all losses
- You must choose a doctor from a group of physicians chosen by your employer
- Strict time limits apply for reporting injuries and filing claims
- Not all workers or injuries qualify for coverage
These coverage limits add further hurdles to workers’ seeking compensation for their injuries under Virginia’s workers’ compensation program. A Chesterfield workers’ compensation lawyer with Allen & Allen can evaluate your claim and fight for your full and fair compensation.
The impact of workplace injuries in Chesterfield
Every day in Chesterfield’s warehouses, construction sites, healthcare facilities, and offices, hardworking people suffer injuries that change their lives. You might be dealing with chronic back pain from lifting heavy objects, recovering from a fall at a construction site, or facing long-term health issues from exposure to harmful substances. Whatever your situation, you’re not alone.
Many injured workers tell us they felt overwhelmed and uncertain before reaching out for help. They worried about medical costs, lost wages, and supporting their families. Some faced pressure to return to work before they fully healed, while others struggled to get the medical care they needed. We understand these challenges because we’ve helped so many workers overcome them over the decades.
According to the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission, workers in the state filed 242,000 workplace injury reports in one recent year. Among those injuries, 45,220 were categorized as major.
All of those injuries combined led to 32,201 processed workers’ compensation claims. The vast majority of those proceeded to hearings, and nearly 500 cases resulted in 500 appeals decisions.
These figures show just how many workers’ compensation claims end up in dispute due to complexities or disagreements over compensation or injury-related benefits.
How Allen & Allen helps injured workers in Chesterfield
When you’re hurt on the job, you need someone who will listen to you, understand your case thoroughly, and fight for the highest level of compensation you can obtain. Our approach combines personal attention with proven legal strategies to protect your interests, including:
- We take time to understand how your injury affects your daily life
- We handle all communications with insurance companies, letting you focus on recovery
- We ensure proper documentation of your injuries and maintain critical filing deadlines
- We calculate the full value of your claim, including future medical needs
- We protect your rights if your employer disputes your injury
- We appeal denied claims when necessary, fighting for every benefit you deserve
Our commitment goes beyond legal representation. We serve as your advocate, advisor, and support system throughout your recovery journey.
When should I contact a workers’ compensation lawyer?
Many injured workers hesitate to seek legal help, hoping their employer and the insurance company will treat them fairly. Unfortunately, this trust often leads to inadequate compensation, denied claims, pressure to return to work prematurely, and other problems. That can overwhelm and confuse injured workers.
You should consider contacting a workers’ compensation lawyer if:
- Your employer denies your injury occurred at work
- The insurance company delays authorizing medical treatment
- Your benefits checks arrive late or stop unexpectedly
- Your employer pressures you to return to work despite ongoing pain
- The insurance company’s doctor minimizes your injuries
- You receive conflicting information about your rights
- Your injury may prevent you from returning to your previous job
- Your employer retaliates against you for filing a claim
- Your claim has been denied
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Common causes of workplace injuries in Virginia
De acuerdo con la Comisión de Compensación para Trabajadores de Virginia y Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), some of the most common causes of workplace accidents are:
- Caídas: Whether from heights, slippery surfaces, or tripping hazards, falls cause thousands of workplace injuries annually.
- Overexertion: Lifting, pulling, pushing, or carrying heavy objects leads to strains, sprains, and serious musculoskeletal injuries.
- Machine accidents: Contact with machinery or equipment results in crushes, cuts, amputations, and severe trauma.
- Struck-by incidents: Workers suffer injuries from falling objects, flying debris, or moving equipment.
- Vehicle crashes: Both on-road accidents and incidents involving workplace vehicles like forklifts cause serious injuries.
- Repetitive motions: Performing the same movements repeatedly leads to chronic conditions and nerve damage.
- Hazardous materials: Exposure to chemicals, toxins, or dangerous substances causes burns, respiratory issues, and long-term illness.
- Workplace violence: Physical confrontations or accidents during security incidents result in various injuries.
- Caught between objects: Workers become trapped or crushed between equipment, materials, or structures.
- Electrical incidents: Contact with live wires or faulty equipment causes burns, shocks, and potentially fatal injuries.
Common workplace injuries covered by workers’ compensation
Every workplace comes with its own set of risks, whether you work in construction, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, an office environment, or even driving for work. Some of the cases our workers’ compensation lawyers have handled include:
- Back and spine injuries rank among the most frequent workplace injuries. A single wrong lift or slip can cause herniated discs, muscle strains, or spinal cord damage that leads to chronic pain, limited mobility, or paralysis. These injuries often require extensive physical therapy and may prevent return to physically demanding jobs.
- Shoulder and arm injuries frequently occur in jobs requiring overhead work or heavy lifting. Rotator cuff tears, torn ligaments, and joint injuries can develop suddenly or over time. These injuries often affect workers in construction, manufacturing, and healthcare settings.
- Broken bones and fractures commonly occur from workplace falls, equipment accidents, or impacts from heavy objects. These injuries range from simple breaks that heal with casting to complex fractures requiring surgery.
- Lesiones cerebrales traumáticas (LCT) and other head injuries pose serious risks across all industries. Even seemingly minor falls can cause concussions with lasting effects on memory and concentration. More severe impacts can result in traumatic brain injuries that diminish cognitive function, emotional regulation, and memory.
- Joint and muscle trauma affects workers who perform repeated movements or maintain awkward positions. Knee injuries, ankle sprains, and hip problems commonly result from falls or overexertion. Workers may also develop chronic conditions like bursitis or tendonitis from ongoing physical stress of repetitive motion injuries.
- Hand and wrist injuries impact workers who use tools, operate machinery, or work at computers. Crushing injuries can occur in manufacturing or construction, while office workers often develop carpal tunnel syndrome from repetitive motions.
- Quemaduras affect workers in various settings. Chemical burns often occur in manufacturing and cleaning operations, while thermal burns pose risks in food service and industrial work. Electrical burns, though less common, often can cause severe tissue damage.
- Occupational diseases develop from exposure to workplace hazards. Workers may suffer respiratory conditions from inhaling dust or fumes, skin disorders from chemical contact, or hearing loss from prolonged noise exposure. Some conditions appear quickly, while others develop over years.
- Accidental amputations often occur in workplaces using heavy machinery or equipment. Manufacturing workers, warehouse staff, and construction crews face particular risks from moving parts, falling objects, or vehicle accidents.
- Psychological conditions such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD can result from traumatic workplace events or develop alongside physical injuries. While less visible than physical trauma, these conditions significantly impact workers’ well-being and ability to work.
- Vision and hearing loss may result from sudden accidents or gradual exposure to workplace hazards. Eye injuries often occur from flying debris or chemical splashes, while excessive noise can cause permanent hearing damage.
Types of workers’ compensation benefits you may claim
Workers’ compensation is designed to provide workers with a range of benefits after a workplace injury. It also covers the families of eligible workers who suffered a fatal on-the-job injury. These benefits include:
Beneficios médicos
Workers’ compensation covers all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your workplace injury. Unlike regular health insurance, you pay no deductibles or copayments for authorized care:
- Atención médica de emergencia
- Hospital stays and surgeries
- Doctor visits and specialist care
- Fisioterapia y rehabilitación.
- Medicamentos recetados
- Medical devices and equipment
- Prosthetic devices
- Home health care when needed
- Reembolso de kilometraje por citas médicas
These medical benefits continue for as long as your authorized treating physician determines treatment is necessary for your work injury.
Lost wage benefits
When injuries prevent you from working, you may receive wage replacement benefits depending on your specific circumstance:
Temporary total disability (TTD)
When you cannot work at all during recovery, you receive two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to the state maximum. These benefits continue until you can return to work or reach maximum medical improvement.
Temporary partial disability (TPD)
If you can work light duty or reduced hours while recovering, you receive two-thirds of the difference between your pre-injury wages and current earnings. TPD benefits help bridge the gap while you work toward full recovery.
Permanent partial disability (PPD)
Some injuries result in permanent loss of function to specific body parts. Virginia law provides compensation for PPD injuries based on:
- Which body part is affected
- The percentage of permanent impairment
- Your pre-injury average weekly wage
- State-mandated compensation weeks for different body parts
Permanent total disability (PTD)
Catastrophic injuries that prevent any gainful employment may qualify for lifetime wage replacement benefits. These include:
- Loss of both hands, arms, feet, legs, eyes, or any two in combination
- Severe brain injury preventing any work
- Spinal cord injuries causing paralysis
- Severe burns over a majority of the body
Prestaciones por muerte
Cuando una workplace accident results in death, surviving family members may receive:
- Funeral and burial expenses – Insurance must pay up to $10,000 for funeral and burial costs.
- Wage replacement benefits – Eligible dependent family members may receive ongoing wage replacement benefits:
- A surviving spouse and children share two-thirds of the deceased worker’s average weekly wage
- Benefits continue for eligible children until age 18 (or 23 if enrolled in school)
- A surviving spouse may receive benefits for life or until remarriage
- Medical expenses: Any medical expenses related to the fatal injury or illness are covered.
Lifetime medical benefits
Some severe injuries require ongoing medical care. You may qualify for lifetime medical benefits for:
- Prosthetic devices and replacements
- Spinal cord injury care
- Brain injury treatment
- Chronic pain management
- Medical equipment maintenance
- Future surgeries or procedures
Rehabilitacion vocacional
If you cannot return to your previous job, vocational rehabilitation benefits help you train for another profession and find new employment:
- Career counseling
- Asistencia en la búsqueda de empleo
- Skills assessment
- Training programs
- Education expenses
- Job placement services
- Resume and interview preparation
Our Chesterfield workers’ compensation attorneys fight to secure every benefit you qualify for under Virginia law. We understand how these benefits interact and how to maximize your compensation while protecting your long-term interests.
Why choose Allen & Allen for your Chesterfield workers’ compensation claim?
Since 1910, Allen & Allen has helped injured Virginia workers rebuild their lives and secure the help and resources they deserve to get their life back on track. When you hire Allen & Allen, we back your case with:
Local roots and experience: Our 100-plus-year presence in Virginia gives us an unmatched understanding of Chesterfield’s workforce, from manufacturing and healthcare to construction and retail.
Dedicated legal teams: Every client receives focused attention from a team of attorneys, investigators, and legal staff who work together to build and support your case.
Full-service representation: We handle everything from initial paperwork to appeals, gathering evidence and building the strongest possible case for your benefits.
Historial probado: For more than 100 years, we’ve secured workers’ compensation benefits for thousands of injured Virginia workers.
Skilled negotiations: Our attorneys know insurance company tactics and how to counter them effectively to protect your interests.
Trial-ready advocacy: We prepare every case thoroughly for the possibility of court, ensuring strong representation at every stage.
Comunicación clara: You’ll receive regular updates and prompt responses to your questions throughout your case.
Total support: Beyond legal help, we connect you with resources for physical therapy, mental health support, and vocational rehabilitation.
Sin tarifas iniciales: We work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing for our services unless we secure benefits for your claim.
Get help with your Chesterfield workers’ compensation claim
Chesterfield Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, Bridget N. Long
A workplace injury brings enough anxiety, stress, and uncertainty into your life. The last thing you need to deal with is an undervalued or denied workers’ compensation claim. Give that fight to us.
An experienced Chesterfield workers’ compensation lawyer with Allen & Allen will take on the insurance company to obtain the full and fair workers’ compensation you deserve. If you’re facing retaliation from your employer, we can handle that, too.
Llámanos hoy al 866-388-1307 for a free, no-obligation consultation. You can also visit our Chesterfield office at 6123 Harbourside Centre Loop in Midlothian. We are convenient to Hospital Bon Secours St. Mary, Hospital Comunitario Bon Secours Richmond, Centro médico CJW, Hospital de Doctores Henrico, Retiro del hospital de médicos, y Centro médico VCU.
Nuestra oficina Chesterfield está cerca de la intersección de Hull Street Road (Rt. 360) y Harbor Pointe Parkway, y está a menos de 3 millas al oeste de la autopista VA-288. Hay aparcamiento gratuito en el establecimiento.
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Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen – Chesterfield Office
6123 Harbourside Centre Lp
Midlothian, VA 23112
Teléfono: (804) 745-1200