Believe it or not, the answer is yes.  In Virginia, if an employer hires and employs an undocumented worker, and that worker gets injured in the course of his or her employment, arising out of the employment, they can get medical benefits and possibly wage loss benefits.  If the injury is serious enough to render […]

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on CAN UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS GET WORKERS’ COMP?

For police officers, firefighters, and other types of first responders in Virginia, the Workers’ Compensation Act creates a presumption that hypertension or heart disease causing total or partial disability is presumed to be an occupational disease suffered in the line of duty.  As such, medical and wage loss benefits may be awarded to the officer/firefighter […]

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on POLICE OFFICERS AND HEART DISEASE (HYPERTENSION)

Like most legal questions, the answer to this question depends on your specific situation.  However, I know one thing for certain, don’t rely on an insurance adjuster to make the final decision.  If an insurance company denies your claim, that doesn’t necessarily mean your claim is denied!  HUH?  That’s right, you may very well be […]

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on I GOT HURT AT WORK, BUT THEY SAID IT’S NOT COVERED BY WORKERS’ COMP. WHY?

Answer: Sometimes. It depends on the facts of your specific case. If you have PTSD from a traumatic workplace incident, it might be covered by workers’ compensation.  As with most work injuries, it depends on the facts of your case.  In 2014, the Virginia Court of Appeals decided in favor of a UPS driver that […]

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) covered by workers’ compensation?

Maybe.  If you have been taken out of work completely, and you are receiving a workers’ comp wage check, you normally cannot receive unemployment benefits.  If you are written to light-duty release, and receiving a workers’ comp wage check, and if the amount of your workers’ comp disability benefit check is less than your unemployment […]

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Can I get unemployment benefits and workers compensation benefits?

The fact that you got hurt out of state doesn’t mean you won’t be covered by workers’ comp.  It all depends on the specific facts of your case.  If you are a Virginia worker, the fact that you were injured out of state does not mean you can’t file a claim in Virginia.  For instance, […]

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on I GOT HURT WHILE TRAVELLING OUT OF STATE FOR MY JOB. WILL WORKERS COMP COVER THIS?

If you’ve been assaulted at work and suffered an injury, you may be covered by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance.  Like many workers’ comp injuries, it depends on whether you can show that the attack arose out of your employment. In a workers’ compensation case, a worker may suffer a random attack from someone he […]

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on WHAT IF I GET ASSAULTED AT WORK?

If you get hurt at work, a good employer will help you get the care and compensation you need and deserve.  If they are making you feel guilty about getting injured on the job, your loyalty to them is not deserved.  If you got hurt at work, their insurance company may raise their rates whether […]

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on I LIKE MY BOSS AND AM GLAD TO HAVE A JOB. I DON’T WANT TO “HURT” THEM BY FILING A WORKERS’ COMP CLAIM.

If your employer has workers’ compensation insurance, they are not allowed to fire you just because you got hurt and filed a workers’ comp claim.  However, this situation can get complicated, and is another reason you need the advice of an attorney specific to your case.  An employer can terminate your employment when you have […]

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on WHAT IF I GET FIRED BECAUSE I AM HURT?

Ok, you got a letter saying you have to appear for a “deposition” in your workers’ comp case.  What do you do?  Well, first of all, make sure you show up.  You can lose your case if you don’t cooperate.  Second, as I always say in my blog, “first seek a competent, experienced workers’ compensation […]

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on What to expect at your Workers’ Comp deposition