Were you injured at work? You might be missing out on important benefits. A recent study reveals that having a lawyer could help improve your workers’ compensation claim. The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) examined almost one million claims and found that workers with lawyers received $7,700 to $12,400 more in benefits.
Are you curious about how this could affect you? Read on to learn about the study’s findings and what they mean for workers with on-the-job injuries.
What the study found
The research showed patterns in claim types and lawyer involvement. It also found that lawyer fees were about 20% of the benefits, which is less than many people expect:
- Extended absences: 34% of workers who missed more than a week had lawyers.
- Short-term disability: Only 14% of short-term disability claims had lawyers. These workers got about $6,918.
- Long-term or lump sum: For long-term or lump sum payments, 64% had lawyers. They got about $39,150.
- Severe injuries: Workers with worse injuries were likelier to have lawyers. For example, 61% of workers with nerve pain had lawyers and got about $40,670.
The study also found that lawyers were more common in longer-term cases with higher medical costs.
What this means for you
If you’re hurt at work in Ohio, consider getting a lawyer. The study shows that lawyers can help you get better benefits, though further research could strengthen this conclusion.
Dealing with workers’ compensation is hard, but you don’t have to do it alone. Understanding how lawyers can help with claims can help you make better choices for your recovery and finances.