Colorado Workers Compensation Lawyers
Colorado Workers' Compensation
Workers' compensation is a "no fault" system based on legal statutes that are designed to compensate employees who are injured while on the job. The "no fault" provision allows the employee to collect benefits irrespective of whether or not his or her employer was at fault for the injury.
Liberal definition of "injured at work"
The law is pretty liberal when it comes to defining what it means to be "injured at work." In some cases, you can qualify for workers' compensation even if you were not physically present at your place of employment at the time of your injury incident. For instance, let's say you got into a car crash on the way to a work meeting. Even though you were not physically at your place of employment, you would likely qualify for workers' compensation.
That said, restrictions do apply. If you had a pre-existing condition prior to taking your job, you cannot claim workers' compensation for costs related to that pre-existing condition unless you can show that your job exacerbated those conditions. Furthermore, if the actions leading up to your injury are deemed to exhibit negligence that can be attributed to your own action, you can also be disqualified from receiving workers' compensation benefits.
What are the "benefits" entitled to workers?
Generally speaking, benefits typically include:
- Care for Immediate Medical Expenses: assuming that you qualify, and you promptly report the accident to your employer (so that the statue of limitations on your claim does not run out), you may be able to receive compensated for medical expenses, including tests, surgery, medication and therapy.
- Disability Benefits: whether you are temporarily or permanently sidelined from your job, you may be able to get a stipend (usually paid out weekly) to compensate you. The stipend is calculated based on a complex formula, which takes into account how seriously disabled you are, how long you will likely be out of work, and how much you typically earned each week. Your physician or a special assessor, known as a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME), can determine your disability benefits.
- Rehabilitation Services: assuming that your injury has negatively impacted your ability to perform your job duties effectively, you may require vocational training to find a new line of work. Workers' compensation will generally cover costs associated with vocational training, as well as costs associated with continuing education or enhancement of certain skills.
- Benefits for Death: if a worker dies while on the job, his or her family may be entitled to receive significant death benefits to help pay for funeral expenses and provide monetary support for dependents.
To build an effective workers comp case, speak with attorney Timothy Bussey of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Mr. Bussey has settled over 1,000 cases over the span of his career, and he has taken over 100 matters to trial. He is AV rated by Martindale Hubble (the highest rating possible), and local judges and attorneys alike respect him. Don't fight your workers compensation battle on your own or in a vacuum. Call 719-475-2555 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.
Colorado Springs personal injury lawyer Timothy Bussey at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. in Colorado represents clients in Colorado Springs and throughout El Paso County, including the cities of Fountain, Manitou Springs, and Monument.
The Bussey Law Firm, P.C.
12 E. Boulder Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: (719) 475-2555
Fax: (719) 475-0046