(864) 582-0416 Before beginning a case, you may wonder about the length of a Spartanburg workers’ compensation claim and what to expect throughout this process. Although many cases are fairly straightforward and can take a few weeks to recover compensation, others may be more complex and involve a longer process. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney at Holland & Usry can help you get a better picture of what your case might look like.
Here’s a breakdown of the different aspects of these cases and how long you can generally expect each to take.
To start with, you will need to report your accident to your employer as soon as possible after your workplace accident. Depending on when you report your injury and seek medical treatment, this aspect can greatly affect the length of a Spartanburg workers’ compensation claim.
You have 90 days to report your injury to your employer, and, unless you need emergency care from the nearest medical facility, you will need to see a doctor who falls under your employer’s workers’ comp insurance policy.
After reporting your injury, and seeking medical care to help prove the nature of your injury, you can file your workers’ compensation claim with the employer’s insurer.
This process will largely impact the overall length of a Spartanburg workers’ comp claim, as insurers may take as many as several weeks to investigate your case. The more complicated a case is and the higher the potential compensation, the more thorough and extensive the investigation is likely to be.
First, insurers will want to interview you regarding your work accident and injury, asking you about how you sustained the injury and if any pre-existing condition could have contributed to or caused the injury.
Additionally, insurers will review medical records from the approved doctor and any other third-party medical professionals. This aspect is why it is so crucial to gather reliable medical records proving the extent of your injury and how you got injured.
While you may expect to receive compensation shortly after the insurer approves your claim, this process can also further increase the length of a workers’ comp claim in Spartanburg.
For instance, the transmission of medical records could take longer than anticipated due to issues with your doctor, or adjusters may simply take a long time to move the case along.
As for the final settlement for permanent injury, you can’t qualify until the doctor releases you at maximum medical improvement. This can take months or more, especially if you’ve suffered a serious surgical injury like a torn rotator cuff, torn knee meniscus, or herniated spinal disc causing radiculopathy. These cases are high-stakes for you and medically complicated, tremendously enhancing the risk that the insurance company will deny or shortchange you in a settlement.
To shorten the length of a Spartanburg workers’ compensation claim as much as possible, it helps to work with an attorney who understands this process. The team at Holland & Usry can review your case and give you a realistic timeline based on its complexity and the amount of time similar cases take to settle. While you may not need the help of a lawyer to negotiate a claim, you can still speak with one to determine what your case will involve and better prepare you ahead of filing.
On the other hand, if you sustain a serious injury and are likely to struggle navigating your claim, an attorney can be an invaluable asset to have by your side throughout the claims process. For example, a lawyer can calculate the total value of your case, which can be a complex process if you’re seriously hurt, and negotiate with adjusters to reach a favorable settlement.
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