Workplace accidents can leave you with more than just physical pain, they can create financial strain, mounting medical bills, and uncertainty about your future. If you’ve suffered a workplace injury, you may be entitled to compensation through Virginia’s workers compensation system. At Breit Biniazan, our experienced Richmond personal injury lawyers are here to help you navigate the legal process and claim the benefits you deserve.
Helping Injured Workers in Richmond Navigate Workers Compensation
Virginia law requires most employers with three or more employees to carry workers compensation insurance. This coverage is designed to provide medical treatment, wage replacement, and other support to injured workers, without needing to prove employer fault. But just because you’re entitled to benefits doesn’t mean the process is simple.
Insurance companies often deny workers compensation claims, delay payment, or challenge the extent of your injuries. An experienced workers compensation attorney can protect your rights, push back against unfair denials, and ensure you receive the full benefits available under the Virginia Workers Compensation Act.
Common Types of Workplace Injuries
Our Richmond workers compensation attorneys represent clients suffering from a wide range of on the job injuries and occupational illnesses, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries from falls or impact
- Back injuries due to lifting or repetitive motion
- Fractures, burns, and lacerations from machinery or tools
- Occupational diseases like respiratory illnesses or chemical exposure
- Repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome
- Serious injuries caused by unsafe working conditions
We work with injured workers in construction, healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, food service, and more. No matter your role or injury, our job is to ensure the system works for you, not the insurance company.
What Benefits Can I Receive Under Virginia Workers Compensation?
Under Virginia workers compensation law, eligible employees may receive several types of benefits, including:
- Medical benefits: Coverage for all necessary and reasonable medical treatment, including surgeries, medications, rehab, and related medical care.
- Lost wage benefits: If your injury prevents you from working, you may qualify for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, permanent partial disability, or permanent total disability benefits.
- Vocational rehabilitation: Assistance in returning to work or training for a new position.
- Death benefits: For family members of workers killed on the job, including funeral and burial expenses and lost income.
- Reasonable transportation expenses: Reimbursement for travel to and from medical appointments.
The amount of your wage replacement is typically based on your average weekly wage prior to the injury. Our Richmond workers compensation attorneys ensure your calculations are accurate and aggressively fight for the maximum compensation available.
Why Claims Get Denied
Unfortunately, many injured workers face unexpected claim denials. Your employer’s insurance carrier may claim:
- Your injury didn’t happen at work
- Your injury wasn’t reported in time
- You weren’t following safety protocols
- The medical care you received wasn’t approved
- You have a pre-existing condition
These tactics are used to reduce or deny valid claims. If your insurance company denies your benefits or delays payments, you need a Richmond workers compensation lawyer who knows how to fight back.
What If I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident?
Unlike personal injury claims, Virginia’s workers compensation system is generally a “no-fault” program. This means you can typically recover workers comp benefits regardless of who caused the accident, as long as you weren’t under the influence of drugs/alcohol or acting intentionally to cause harm.
If a third party, such as a subcontractor or equipment manufacturer, contributed to your injury, you may also have grounds for a third party liability claim or personal injury case. We can help determine whether additional legal action is available beyond workers comp.
Steps to Take After a Workplace Injury
- Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible. Under Virginia law, you typically have 30 days to do so.
- Seek immediate medical attention. Go to an approved healthcare provider if your employer has a panel of doctors.
- Document everything, including your symptoms, time missed from work, and correspondence with the insurance company.
- File a claim with the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission. This formal step must be completed within two years of the injury.
Our experienced workers compensation attorneys can walk you through every step of the claim process, so nothing is missed.
Why You Need a Richmond Workers Compensation Lawyer
The Virginia workers compensation system is filled with deadlines, paperwork, and legal procedures. A single mistake could delay your benefits or cause your claim to be dismissed entirely. That’s why working with a Richmond workers compensation attorney is essential, especially when you’re facing mounting medical bills, pain, and lost wages.
At Breit Biniazan, our team of workers compensation attorneys helps with:
- Filing your initial claim properly
- Appealing denied claims
- Fighting claim reductions or unfair settlements
- Securing full disability benefits
- Handling interactions with your workers compensation insurance company
We understand how injuries affect every part of your life, and we’re here to ensure your recovery isn’t stalled by red tape or insurance tactics.
What Makes Our Law Firm Different
Not all Virginia workers compensation lawyers are the same. At Breit Biniazan, we take a client-focused approach, ensuring that you feel supported, informed, and empowered. Our lawyers have decades of experience helping injured workers in Richmond and across Virginia. We’re not afraid to go up against big insurers to get real results.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our initial consultation is always free, and we’re happy to answer your questions before you decide to move forward.
Contact a Workplace Injury Lawyer in Richmond, VA
If you’ve suffered a workplace injury, don’t leave your future in the hands of the insurance company. Whether you’re just beginning your claim or dealing with a denial, the Richmond workers compensation lawyers at Breit Biniazan are here to help.
Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced workers compensation attorney and get the support you need to move forward with your life.
Workplace Injury FAQs
What should I do if I’m injured at work in Virginia?
If you suffer a workplace injury, report it to your employer immediately, preferably in writing, and seek medical attention from an approved healthcare provider. Then, file a claim with the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission within two years of the injury. Speaking with a Richmond workers compensation lawyer early in the process can help protect your rights and ensure your claim is filed properly.
What benefits can I receive through workers compensation?
Eligible injured workers may receive coverage for medical treatment, lost wages, temporary or permanent disability benefits, rehabilitation services, and funeral and burial expenses in fatal cases. The specific benefits depend on your average weekly wage, the severity of your injuries, and how long you’re unable to work.
Why was my workers compensation claim denied?
Claims may be denied if the insurance company disputes how the injury occurred, believes it wasn’t work-related, or claims it wasn’t reported on time. A workers compensation lawyer can help appeal the denial, present strong evidence, and fight for the full benefits you’re entitled to under Virginia workers compensation laws.