Workers' Compensation Attorney in Indianapolis

Employees in the state of Indiana are guaranteed certain rights by law. Workers who are hurt while performing their job duties should not have to manage the costs and losses on their own.  

Fortunately, injured employees can file a claim for workers’ comp in Indianapolis to recover the money that they deserve. However, the system for applying for workers’ comp in Indianapolis is complex. This can leave some injury victims unsure about where to turn for help. 

If you need help applying for benefits or appealing a denied workers’ compensation claim, do not hesitate. Reach out to the compassionate legal professionals at the firm of Morgan & Morgan for a referral.  

Our team works closely with law firms and subject matter experts from around the state, allowing you to find the best legal representation for your situation with ease. We wouldn’t refer you to a lesser firm, and you can trust that any firm referred by Morgan & Morgan will confidently handle your case from beginning to end. 

Under Indiana state law, most employers are required to carry workers’ compensation coverage. If you are sick or injured while on the job, contact an attorney to pursue workers’ comp in Indianapolis. 

Fill out the form on our website to speak with one of our team members about which law firm is best for your situation.

Understanding Workers’ Comp in Indianapolis

In 1915, the Indiana legislature passed the Workers’ Compensation Act of Indiana. This important piece of legislation detailed the workers’ compensation benefits system. 

This law details how injured or sick employees should be compensated if their health condition results from their job. The purpose of workers’ compensation benefits is to allow workers to recover and return to their work. 

Claims for workers’ comp in Indianapolis do not require the employee to show that their employer was to blame for their injury or illness. In other words, claimants do not have to prove that their employer was “negligent.”  

The injured person only needs to show that their medical condition happened while working. Workers’ comp payments can be used to cover related medical costs and other expenses. 

When a physician recommends that the injured person stops working, workers’ compensation payments can replace a portion of their income. Under Indiana state law, the maximum weekly payment for a work-related accident is $600. 

Speak with a legal specialist to determine the best way to recover the workers’ compensation benefits that you are rightfully owed. Injured employees should not have to cover the costs and losses from a work-related injury or illness. 

How Can I Know If I Have a Valid Case?

If you have sustained an injury in your workplace, you may deserve compensation. In some instances, the relevant insurance provider will fail to offer the benefits needed for you to fully recover.  

Some of the most common work-related injuries include: 

• Broken bones and fractures
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Neck and back damage
• Shoulder and knee injuries
• And more 

Repetitive stress injuries are also common. This type of physical damage occurs when employees are required to engage in repetitive movements for long periods while working.  

Overusing a specific set of muscles can result in long-term pain, loss of range of motion, and more. This type of injury often affects the victim’s: 

• Wrists
• Elbows
• Fingers
• Arms
• Knees
• Shoulders 

If your job requires you to engage in repetitive movements, you are at a higher risk of a repetitive stress injury. When you have been hurt because of the requirements of your position, it is important to speak with an attorney about filing for workers’ comp in Indianapolis.  

Most employers in Indianapolis are required to carry workers’ compensation benefits insurance. If your injury or illness happened due to your work, you might have a valid claim.

Steps to Take After a Workplace Injury

When you have been injured at work, it is normal to feel uncertain about what actions to take. Most people do not have experience securing workers’ compensation benefits.  

The application process for workers’ comp in Indianapolis can be complicated. Unfortunately, many applicants are rejected because of avoidable errors in their paperwork. 

Having a knowledgeable attorney assist with your case will give you the highest likelihood of recovering the money you deserve. The team at Morgan & Morgan has plenty of experience helping workers’ compensation applicants in the state of Indiana. 

As soon as you are aware of your job-related injury or illness, take the following important steps:

Notify Your Employer of the Injury

Make sure to inform your employer about your work-related illness or injury quickly. To pursue a successful benefits claim, you must tell your employer about your medical condition within 30 days. 

Your employer must write a report detailing your situation and file the report with the workers’ compensation insurance provider. Failing to notify your employer promptly could result in the denial of your claim. 

Injured employees should notify their supervisors of the situation in writing. Also, make sure to request confirmation that your employer received the notice. This will help to prove that you took the proper steps to seek benefits.

Seek a Medical Assessment

Your first priority should be your physical health and well-being. If your injury constitutes a medical emergency, seek care immediately. 

Once you begin the claims process, you will be required to visit the medical care provider that your employer chooses. Provide the details of your accident or illness to the physician.  

Make sure to tell them that your injury happened in the workplace. The physician's notes will serve as powerful evidence in your workers’ compensation claim. 

If you do not believe that the medical care provided is adequate, you have the right to file an “Application for Adjustment of Claim” through the Indiana Workers’ Compensation Board.

Ensure that Your Employer Files the Report

Your employer should file the written report with the insurance provider within seven days of being notified. This document is known as an “Employer’s Report of Injury” form.  

Employers are also required to provide a copy of this form to the injured worker. If more than seven days have passed and you do not have a copy of the Employer’s Report of Injury,” you will need to speak with your employer again. 

If the company refuses to file this form on your behalf, you may have legal recourse. When seeking workers’ comp in Indianapolis, it is best to secure the services of a knowledgeable legal specialist.

Await the Insurance Provider’s Decision

After receiving the report from your employer, the insurance provider is required to file the report with the Indiana Workers’ Compensation Board. The provider will then begin investigating the circumstances of your workplace illness or injury. 

An investigator is likely to reach out to you and your employer. This investigation will seek to determine the nature, severity, and legitimacy of your injury or illness.  

Once the workers’ compensation insurance provider receives the report from your employer, they have 29 days to determine the status of your claim. If the company wrongly denies your claim, consult with a skilled lawyer to explore the possibility of appeal.

Appealing a Workers’ Compensation Claim Denial

In many cases, injured workers are wrongfully denied the benefits they are due. In other instances, the benefits are awarded but inadequate.  

If you are dissatisfied with the workers’ compensation provider’s decision in your case, you have the legal right to appeal. There are several ways that you can seek to appeal your workers’ compensation decision. 

You have the option to contact the Workers’ Compensation Board to inquire about dispute resolution possibilities. You can also file an “Application for Adjustment of Claim” form. 

Once you request an appeal, the Workers’ Compensation Board will schedule a hearing to review the facts of your case. It is critical to have a legal representative present your case on your behalf.  

You are required to file an appeal within two years of the initial accident or injury date. The team at Morgan & Morgan knows what it takes to present the strongest case possible for workers’ compensation applicants, which is why our referrals are so powerful. 

Do not hesitate. If you were wrongfully denied earned benefits in Indianapolis, reach out to America’s largest personal injury firm — Morgan & Morgan— for a referral that works best for you.