Work Injury
Hurt on the Job?
Under New Hampshire worker’s compensation law, an employee who is injured by a work-related accident or illness is entitled to numerous benefits including weekly disability payments, payment of medical bills and partial weekly payments if only able to return to work for light duty. There are also other benefits including permanent impairment awards, vocational rehabilitation benefits, job protection and others. It is important to know your rights!
Under NH Workers Comp Law, an injured or sick worker can receive weekly disability benefits usually equal to 60% of his or her average weekly wage. Weekly disability benefits are not taxed by the IRS. The payment will be based on an average weekly wage computed from prior earnings. In some cases, a low wage earning injured worker can even qualify for weekly disability benefits that are more than 60% of his or her average weekly wage. The calculation of weekly disability benefits can also include part-time jobs that the worker can no longer do because of the work-related injury or illness.
Under the New Hampshire Department of Labor regulations, an insurance carrier must pay for medical bills caused by the workers comp injury or illness on a timely basis. If they refuse to pay, your attorney could be awarded attorney fees on an appeal to the department of labor hearing officer. Refusal to pay just medical bills without a fight is an increasing problem in our opinion.
If the injury is serious and the worker will have permanent impact, the worker is frequently entitled to additional lump sum compensation for documented permanent impairment. Consult with an attorney. The insurance company frequently does not remind you of this important right.
If you are hurt on the job due to someone else’s fault like a car crash, we frequently are able to obtain additional third party benefits. Explore your rights.
We represent injured or sick workers in connection with claims for worker’s compensation benefits. Call us to discuss your specific facts and circumstances.
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