What Your Attorney Will Want to Know
- Your work history
- Your average wages
- Your usual work conditions
- The details of how your workplace accident happened
- Whether any bystanders witnessed your accident
Your attorney may also need to know whether you have had any contact with your employer or their insurer about your accident and injuries since this could help determine how to advance your case.
Items to Bring to Your Consultation
Prospective clients often ask Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum if they should bring any documentation to their initial consultation. In general, you should bring anything, and everything related to your workplace injury. This could include:
- Any related medical bills
- Your recent pay stubs
- Your W-2s
- Your insurance information
- Copies of any correspondence you have received from the Rhode Island Department of Labor & Training
You can still have a productive meeting if you don’t have all the documents on the list. At Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum, we simply recommend that you try to bring any available evidence that could support your claim.
Questions to Ask the Attorneys at Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum
- How long has Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum been practicing workers’ compensation law?
- Have you ever worked with clients who have suffered similar injuries?
- Do you think my workers’ compensation claim has any particular strengths or weaknesses?
- What is your success rate?
- How does your firm handle legal costs and fees?
If we believe we can help you file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits, we will walk you through the application process and help ensure that your claim meets Rhode Island’s rigorous standards for approval.
Your Potential Workers’ Compensation Benefits
If your claim is approved, you could receive benefits, including:
Weekly Compensation
Rhode Island workers’ compensation provides accident victims with roughly 75% of their pre-injury take-home pay. If you are able to return to light duty work, you may still be eligible to receive a weekly check to compensate for any loss in income.
Medical Benefits
Once your claim is approved, you have the right to choose your own doctor and have your medical expenses reimbursed.
Disability
If you are unable to perform any work at all due to your injuries, you may be able to receive disability benefits. The Department of Labor & Training may provide compensation to cover permanent total disability, permanent partial disability, temporary partial disability, and temporary total disability.
Disfigurement
You could receive additional compensation for any scars or other disfiguring wounds caused by your workplace accident.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Retraining
Vocational rehabilitation and retraining is available to injured workers who are permanently disabled. The costs of rehabilitation are paid by the insurance company.
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