If you were injured on the job in Alabama, you could be entitled to recover workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation is beneficial to both the employee and their employer. It protects employers from lawsuits while allowing employees to get the financial relief they need for medical expenses, a portion of their lost income, and other losses.
However, the workers’ comp process can be confusing, especially if you’re trying to navigate it while also recovering from an injury. That’s why the Alabama workers’ comp lawyers at Stokes Stemle, LLC want to help.
By working with an experienced lawyer from our firm, you can feel confident that your rights are protected and your concerns are understood. Our attorneys can provide you with legal guidance and help you follow all the required protocols. If the insurance company fails to resolve your claim in a timely manner, we will step in to advocate for you and work to expedite the process.
If you’re covered by workers’ comp insurance and have been injured on the job, you deserve your benefits. Contact an Alabama workers’ compensation attorney from Stokes Stemle, LLC to find out how we can help you get them.
How Does Workers’ Comp Work in Alabama?
Under Alabama’s workers’ comp laws, any employer who regularly employs at least five people must offer workers’ comp benefits. As long as the injury occurred while you were at work or doing your job, you should be eligible to receive benefits.
Employees, employers, and insurance carriers must follow specific timelines for workers’ compensation claims. The state of Alabama’s workers’ compensation requirements include the following:
- Employees — Employees must notify their employers within five days of sustaining an injury on the job. In Alabama, the statute of limitations for workers’ compensation claims is two years from the date of injury or date of the last compensation payment.
- Employers — Employers are required to notify the state of their employees’ injury within 15 days. They also have 10 days from the day the employee begins receiving compensation to file a complimentary report.
- Insurance carriers — Insurance carriers must begin payments within 30 days of being notified about an employee’s injury. If they refuse to offer benefits, they must notify the state and explain their reasoning within 10 days after the 30-day window.
How Much Does Alabama Workers’ Comp Insurance Pay?
The amount of workers’ compensation coverage you receive will depend on a variety of factors, including your medical expenses and how much time you missed at work. If your workers’ compensation claim is approved, your employer’s insurance provider will be responsible for paying your medical bills. Workers’ compensation can also partially replace lost earnings from the time you missed at work and cover other financial expenditures.
You can pursue Alabama workers’ compensation to cover the following:
- Workplace accident injuries — If you were injured in an accident that occurred in the workplace or while performing your work duties, workers’ compensation should be available to help you cover your medical costs. These expenses may include reasonably necessary medical treatment, surgery and other procedures, chiropractic treatment, medicine, and medical devices.
- Work-related illnesses — If you are exposed to harmful or toxic chemicals in the workplace, you could develop a work-related illness and might require medical treatment. Workers’ compensation also covers illnesses caused by such workplace hazards.
- Repetitive injuries — Employees in certain fields, such as construction and other industries that involve manual labor, are at risk of suffering injuries caused by repetitive movements. Even employees in office environments can suffer repetitive motion injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. As long as your injuries were sustained on the job, you can pursue workers’ compensation.
- Lost income — If your workplace injury or illness is particularly serious, you might have to take time off work while you seek treatment and recover. Fortunately, workers’ compensation doesn’t just cover medical expenses. It also partially replaces lost wages after missing 21 days of work. In Alabama, workers’ compensation will replace two-thirds of an employee’s typical weekly wage as long as it falls between a certain minimum and maximum established by the state.
- Long-term care — If your injuries are serious, you may need to continue receiving treatment after you are back on the job. Workers’ compensation benefits can also compensate you for the ongoing care you need to treat your workplace injury or illness.
- Disability costs — If you become disabled because of a work-related injury, you can collect permanent disability benefits through workers’ compensation. These benefits can be paid all at once or weekly.
- Funeral expenses — Families of workers who are killed while performing their job can collect compensation for funeral expenses through the employer’s workers’ comp policy.
An Alabama workers’ comp attorney can help you understand the different coverages provided by your employer’s policy and help you get the benefits you need.
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