Workers’ compensation laws are different from state to state. The rights of the injured worker vary as well as does the different legal procedures that will ensure those rights are maintained. There are a number of rights an injured worker has that are common across most states.
* You have the right to file a claim for your injury or illness with the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission.
* You have the right to choose your doctor and pursue medical treatment. Your medical treatment relating to your work injury or illness is covered by your employer. This can include medical treatment at your doctors office and at hospitals, nursing services, physical therapy, prescription medication costs, and mileage reimbursement to and from medical appointments.
* You have the right to return to your job once you have been released to return to work.
* You have the right to some type of disability compensation if you are unable to return to work because of your injury or illness, whether it is permanent or temporary. If your doctor takes you off work for more than five days, then you are entitled to receive disability benefits and are entitled to receive 2/3 of your average weekly wage, up to the allowed maximum. Your doctor must take you completely off work, or give you restrictions that your employer cannot accommodate.
* You have the right to choose an attorney to help you facilitate the workers’ compensation legal process. Filing a workers’ compensation claim is a slow process and an attorney who understands can help you through it.
Protect your legal rights. The most important way to protect your legal rights when you are injured on the job is to report your injury to your employer. Depending on the circumstances, this may not always be possible. It is, however, very important to report your injury as quickly as you can.
Call our office at 662-289-4740 and speak to one of our attorneys today and see how you can benefit from someone who understands.