Winchester Worker’s Comp Attorneys
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We’re Here for You After You’ve Been Injured at Work
Getting injured at work or getting ill from exposure at your job can be a scary and uncertain time for anyone. But the medical bills and living expenses don’t pause for you as you go through the processes of filing workers’ compensation claims. That’s where an experienced attorney that you can trust comes in to help you navigate the process of your claim, get the best care for your injury, and get you and your family taken care of financially. Our personal injury attorneys have over 50 years of experience representing injured workers, and we ONLY represent injured workers.
Employers and insurance adjusters have to focus on their costs and bottom lines, not necessarily the best result for the employee. Don’t go into this situation alone when you can have an expert team fighting in your corner for your best interest. So if you have been injured at work in Winchester or the Northern Virginia area get the expert personal injury attorneys at Ritchie on your side. Our Winchester office is located Downtown.
Equip Yourself with the Right Information for Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
What Injuries are Covered in Virginia Workers’ Compensation?
Injuries resulting from accidents on the job or illnesses that arise from prolonged exposure to harmful situations on the job. Injuries not normally covered in workers compensation are ones developed over a long time of small tasks like bending over or sitting down. Serious injuries and any injuries affecting your arms, legs, neck, or back should always be discussed with a lawyer. Important! You must report your injury to a supervisor within 30 days of your accident or 60 days of your illness diagnosis.
Who Chooses Your Workers’ Compensation Doctor?
After you give notice of your work injury to your employer, the employer is required to give you a list of at least 3 doctors. You will choose a doctor from this list. If your employer doesn’t give you a list of doctors, you can choose your own treating doctor. Don’t let your employer force you to go to the “company doctor.” You should insist on the list.
Can I Change My Workers’ Compensation Doctor?
If you are unhappy with your medical treatment, you may be able to change your treating doctor. You can ask your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company if they will agree to a change in doctors for you. If they won’t agree to the change, you can ask for a hearing with the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission to determine if there should be a change in treating physicians.
Filing Your Virginia Worker’s Compensation Claim
To be eligible for compensation you must file your claim no later than 2 years after the incident. You can file your claim online or by mail. Worker’s compensation benefits can cover your medical expenses from the injury/illness as well as your lost wages while you were unable to work.
Can I Determine How Much My Virginia Workers’ Compensation Claim is Worth?
Evaluating a claim for settlement is not easy. If you’ve been handling your workers’ compensation claim on your own, you have probably been dealing with an insurance adjuster who is more experienced at valuing claims such as yours. The claims adjuster’s goal is to minimize the amount of money they pay to you.
If you have been receiving weekly benefits for a while, a cash settlement may be a reasonable option. However, there are serious issues to consider regarding future benefits involving Medicare and Social Security benefits. An attorney who specializes in Virginia workers’ compensation cases can help you address these issues.
Download Our Full Worker’s Compensation E-Book
Download Our Full Worker’s Comp E-Book. Or visit Click Here to view the full Title 65.2 Worker’s Compensation section of the Virginia Code.
What is workers’ compensation?
Workers’ compensation in Virginia is intended to replace income lost by a worker who is injured on the job or in the performance of the workers’ job. Workers’ comp helps to restore earning capacity (what the worker could have earned) and tries to return the worker to productive employment.
Who Is Covered by Virginia Workers’ Compensation?
If your employer regularly employs 3 or more full-time or part-time employees and if your injury (or occupational disease) arose “out of” and “in the course of” your employment, then you are covered by Virginia Workers’ Compensation. There is usually no compensation for pain and suffering in Virginia workers’ compensation.
What To Do If You Are Injured Or Contract An Occupational Disease On The Job?
Report your injury to your supervisor in writing then file a Claims Benefit Form.
What Injuries Does Virginia Workers' Compensation Cover?
Any injury (or occupational disease) that happens “out of and in the course of employment” is covered by the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act. It doesn’t matter who was at fault in the accident.
Covered injuries might include some of these injuries: broken bones, muscle strains, back and neck problems, loss of strength and/or flexibility, heart problems, and others.
Do I need money to hire your law firm?
Is it really necessary for me to talk to an attorney?
Claims adjusters work for insurance companies and must act in the insurance company’s interests. It’s that simple. If you have serious injuries there is too much at risk to go forward without professional help. The insurance companies have lawyers protecting their interests. You need the same protection. If the accident was the other driver’s fault, his or her insurance company will be responsible for your expenses, although you may need a lawyer to get everything you deserve.
Our Worker’s Compensation Attorneys
Roger Ritchie
Roger’s family has always been heavily involved in the construction industry. Roger, himself, has spent time working on construction sites. He’s seen first-hand how work injuries can change a worker’s life in an instant. Having tried hundreds of workers’ compensation cases at the hearing level, Roger is highly experienced in the complex workers’ comp system.
Michael Ritchie
Michael brings with extensive experience in personal injury cases. Mike helps the injured and disabled to successfully navigate their worker’s compensation claims as well as the social security disability systems. He regularly practices before the Virginia Worker’s Compensation Commission and the Social Security Administration.
Robert Guntharp
Bob has handled a wide array of personal injury cases ranging from the simple to the complex. These have included serious injuries involving: automobile and tractor-trailer accidents, wrongful death, brain injuries, medical malpractice, insurance coverage disputes, social security disability, and workers’ compensation claims.
John Krall
John has been serving injured workers since 1991. His experience encompasses not only helping injured workers get their medical bills paid but also helping them get their lost wage benefits. John’s trial experience is extensive and successful, with a portfolio of trials at both the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission and numerous Virginia circuit courts.
Alvaro Inigo
Throughout his career, Al has concentrated his practice on civil litigation and has acquired substantial jury trial experience in a wide variety of negligence cases. He currently focuses his practice exclusively on representing injured persons in the areas of personal injury and worker’s compensation, as well as Social Security disability matters.