Workers’ Compensation

Each year Freeman & Fuson represents a number of clients who have been injured on the job. Although employers have made efforts to limit an employee’s recovery when hurt on the job, the Nashville workers’ compensation lawyers at Freeman & Fuson are committed to getting the most financial award possible under the law. It is not unusual for employers to send employees to doctors who are loyal to the employer and to the insurance company who pays them. We send our clients to doctors we know will give an honest opinion about the extent of the injury so that we can maximize the client’s recovery. We also help the client with obtaining the necessary medical treatment as well as the lost wages that the client is entitled to while he or she is off from work.

Fighting for the Client

Most employers do not explain the laws regarding work injuries and take advantage of their own employees. However, the laws for injured employees are designed to help them if followed. If you have been injured on the job, you may be entitled to both temporary benefits, including a panel of doctors and medical benefits, mileage, home services if necessary, temporary wages while off work, temporary wages if returned to work, a lump sum recovery for permanent impairment and lifetime medical coverage. Mark and Joseph will stand up and fight to make sure you receive the benefits you are entitled to. Do not let the employer or the insurance company adjusters push you around.

You also need experienced and compassionate workers’ compensation attorneys in the Nashville area to consult with you and your family about the case. Mark and Joseph will provide this support personally and are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

The Prevalence Of Work-Related Injuries

Job-related injuries account for more than 50,000 deaths each year. In 2010 alone, nearly 4 million workers suffered non-fatal occupational injuries or illnesses, costing employers an average of $74 billion in workers’ compensation insurance per year. This year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has already received 2 million reports of workplace incidents that required emergency treatment, labor restrictions, job transfers, and time away from work. Sadly, many more cases go unreported, as workers cling to their jobs in an unstable economy. But medical journals consistently state that over 75% of recurring or exacerbated injuries are a direct result of staying “under the radar” and “working through” the pain. Common job injuries often involve:

• Slip-and-falls
• Confined spaces
• Highway work zones
• Construction accidents
• Electrical malfunctions
• Repetitive stress fractures
• Chemical spills and burns
• Exposure to toxic substances

Reluctance To Provide Full Compensation For Job Injuries

In Tennessee, most employers are required to provide workers’ compensation insurance covering their employees. But as many workers know, they are sometimes reluctant to accept full liability for a workers’ compensation claim. Even if the employer may be willing, the insurance company is not. Recovering compensation becomes a fight in which the injured victim is overpowered by a team whose sole purpose is to minimize liability for the loss. As a result, workers rarely recover full compensation for their injury. They settle for less, believing they are expendable, while an injury not only costs them a job, but also their health. In most cases, the worker is entitled to various benefits arising out of an occupational illness, injury, or death, including:

• Temporary wages
• Medical costs, expenses
• Home health care services
• Lost income, future earnings
• Future surgery, medical treatment

The Workers’ Compensation Claims Process And Benefits

Benefits are awarded according to the degree of injury and loss of bodily function. Those who suffer partial or temporary disability are entitled to a calculated portion of their weekly wage. Workers who suffer permanent or catastrophic injuries are entitled to a lump sum payment and lifetime benefits. If the employee dies from a job-related injury, surviving family members are entitled to medical costs, reasonable funeral expenses, lost income, and “non-economic” damages for the lost companionship, guidance, and support of the deceased. In all cases, the worker must report the injury immediately to a superior and has a limited time to file a claim. Any delay may result in the loss of important evidence and even bar your right to relief.

Maximize Your Recovery For Work-Related Injuries

If you were injured on the job, do report the injury to your supervisor or human resources. But do not let an employer, insurance agent, or unsympathetic doctor intimidate you. Instead, consult the Nashville workers’ compensation attorneys at Freeman & Fuson who have more than 25 years of experience handling personal injury cases in Tennessee. You will be amazed at the stark difference it makes to have a trusted legal professional protecting your rights. Employers, insurers, and businesses all have skilled attorneys; you should, too.

Once you are represented, you no longer have to put up with the haggling and confusing denials; we send you to the most helpful physicians and present the most persuasive evidence to your advantage. Freeman & Fuson is dedicated to advocating for your best interests and helping you maximize your recovery from an injury claim. Even if you were denied benefits the first time, we can usher you through the appeals process work diligently to improve your chances of obtaining relief. Call us at 615.298.7272 today, or contact us online.

Retaliatory Discharge

If you have been terminated as a result of being injured on the job, you are entitled to additional compensation and may have a claim for retaliatory discharge. Freeman & Fuson have experience handling cases involving termination following work injuries. If this has happened to you or someone you know, Contact Mark or Joseph.

Frequently Asked Questions – Workers’ Compensation

Freeman & Fuson are renowned leaders in workers’ compensation law. Located in Nashville, this full-service law firm is the “go-to” place for handling job-related injuries and other personal injury claims. We are known not only for our skill in handling workers’ compensation cases, but also for our compassion and sensitivity in working with our clients. The workers’ compensation lawyers at our Nashville firm are dedicated to helping you achieve the best outcome possible in your case.