(316) 721-5500
3636 N. Ridge Rd Suite 100, Wichita, KS 67205 | Dugan & Giroux is one of Wichita top workers’ compensation attorneys. Employers and insurance companies are not always on the side of an injured employee. We help ensure fair compensation is provided to workers who have suffered an on-the-job injury.
Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in Wichita KS
We are dedicated to helping our clients secure fair compensation for losses incurred due to workplace injuries. If you’re hurt at work, an experienced attorney can help you determine if your employer and insurance companies are providing fair compensation. While most employers in Wichita are looking out for their employee’s wellbeing, insurance and healthcare costs can occasionally cause companies to offer less than reasonable settlements.
Our Wichita Workers’ Compensation attorneys develop legal strategies that consistently deliver fair compensation to Kansas workers. This may include payment for medical bills, prescription fees, lost wages, ongoing care, and other damages related to your injury.
If you’ve been injured at work, or have been unfairly denied worker’s compensation benefits contact us for a consultation. We will help ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
About Workers’ Compensation Benefits
In general, benefits are available to those employees injured in the course and scope of their employment. However, there are many statutory rules and regulations determining when and what type of benefits are available. The state can impose a drug or alcohol test on the employee to test whether or not the employee was under the influence. Worker’s compensation can be denied if test results come back positive. Compensation may also be denied if injuries were self-inflicted, meaning the employee was violating a job policy.
In Kansas, workers’ compensation benefits are designed to cover the cost of medical bills and prescriptions related to on-the-job injuries. It may also cover lost wages to some degree, depending on the amount of work missed. There are waiting periods, and lost wage benefits will not be 100% of a workers regular salary.
A lawyer is not required to receive workers compensation benefits, however, a knowledgeable attorney may be able to help you secure additional benefits, particularly in complex and contested cases. Long-term care, emotional hardship, and additional financial compensation could be warranted, but not offered by the employer and/or insurance company. A skilled attorney can help employees in cases where employees do not believe they are being treated fairly.
Workplace Accident Reporting
Notify your supervisor if you receive a work-related injury. The longer you wait to report your injury, the more chances are of losing your right to collect worker’s compensation.
Most employers will have a request form for those inquiring about worker’s compensation. The form will consist of questions such as, name of the injury, including every body part affected by the injury, how the accident occurred, when and where the accident happened, other parties involved, and medical treatment you have undergone.
Following the claim, you want to make sure you keep copies of all documents. These reports may include the forms you filled out and documents received, notes on how your injury affected your job, medical reports, and receipts for out-of-pocket expenses.
How to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Kansas
The Workers Compensation Act was established to help workers and their families receive medical treatment, temporary wage replacement, and disability benefits in the event of workplace injury.
It is important to notify your employer of any injuries sustained on the job as soon as possible. Claims, all or in part, may be denied if the injury is not reported promptly. Be sure to retain documents related to this report, as well as any information you may have about the time, location, and cause of the injury.
If a claim is denied, you can file an appeal. If you have not already contacted an attorney, you will certainly benefit from having a skilled workers’ compensation lawyer assist with the appeal process.
Dugan & Giroux provides expert legal support for workplace injuries in Wichita, and throughout Kansas.