Workplace injuries seem to happen when you least expect them, and leave employees facing significant consequences, both physically and financially. If you or a loved one have been injured on the job in Milford, Delaware, it’s vital to understand your rights and to take the appropriate steps to preserve your right to workers’ compensation benefits. The decisions you make from the moment the injury occurs can have a significant impact on the overall outcome of your case.
Proudly serving the people of Milford, Seaford, Dover, and beyond, the experienced Delaware workers’ compensation attorneys at Rhoades & Morrow have dedicated their entire practice to advocating for injured citizens across Delaware. Let us help you see the workers’ compensation benefits you’re rightfully owed. We’re ready to start fighting for you today.
Understanding Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Offering workers’ compensation benefits isn’t a privilege or a perk of the job. In fact, almost every employer is required to have a workers’ compensation benefits insurance policy in place under Delaware law. Workers’ compensation benefits provide financial assistance and medical benefits to employees who have suffered injuries or illnesses at the workplace or during the normal course of their work duties. These benefits include compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and any permanent disfigurement. Additionally, they offer partial disability benefits if the employee cannot return to the same level of work due to the injury, and death benefits to surviving family members if the injury was fatal.
Delaware’s workers’ compensation system operates on a no-fault basis, meaning that employees are generally entitled to benefits even if the injury was wholly or partially their own fault unless the injury was the result of the employee breaking the law.
Under Delaware law, it is expressly illegal for employers and supervisors to retaliate against an employee for filing a workers’ compensation claim. Retaliation can take on many forms, including wrongful termination, demotion, harassment, disciplinary actions, negative performance reviews, and a change in work conditions. If you’ve experienced any form of retaliatory behavior, you have the right to take legal action against your employer.
What to Do if You’ve Been Injured on the Job in Milford
- Seek medical attention for any workplace injuries you’ve sustained. Doing so not only protects your health, which is always the first priority but also provides critical evidence for a workers’ compensation benefits claim.
- Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible. Workers’ compensation benefits claims are extremely time-sensitive. Delays in reporting workplace injuries can negatively affect your workers’ compensation claim’s eligibility and credibility.
- File a workers’ compensation claim with the Delaware Office of Workers’ Compensation after reporting the injury to your employer.
- Visit your employer’s approved healthcare provider for further assessment and treatment, if your initial provider wasn’t pre-approved. This is a mandatory step in the workers’ compensation benefits claim process under Delaware law.
- Document the incident, including the date, time, details, and circumstances surrounding the workplace injury. Collect contact information for any witnesses.
- Follow the treatment plan prescribed by the approved medical provider. Doing so will strengthen your case and will demonstrate the full extent of your injury.
- Communicate with your employer regarding your recovery process and any challenges you’ve encountered, and keep a record of the communication.
- Consult with an experienced Delaware workers’ compensation attorney who can guide you through the claims process, protect your rights, and address any difficulties you’re facing in obtaining rightful compensation.
The Importance of Legal Representation: Rhoades & Morrow, Your Milford Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If you or a loved one have suffered a workplace injury, you have the absolute right to seek workers’ compensation benefits. With employers and insurance companies fighting to undervalue your pain and diminish the benefits you’re rightfully owed, trust an experienced workers’ compensation legal team to guide you through the complex legal landscape, ensure your rights are protected, and help you see real compensation. If your claim was denied or you’ve experienced retaliatory behavior, it’s even more vital to consult an experienced attorney as quickly as you are able. For your Delaware workers’ compensation needs, trust a law firm backed by over three decades of experience in the field. The skilled and seasoned team at Rhoades & Morrow has offices in Milford, Wilmington, Newark, and Lewes, and proudly serves clients across the state of Delaware. We offer free and confidential consultations, so call us at (302) 427-9500 or fill out our online form today!
