5 IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW IF YOU GET HURT AT WORK
You May Be Entitled to Payments and Protections
If you get hurt at work in New Hampshire, you may be eligible to receive the following important payments and protections as a matter of law:
- Payment for Lost Wages
- Payment of Medical Bills
- Payment for Permanent Injury
- Job Protections
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services
1. Payment for Lost Wages
If your claim is accepted, the workers' compensation insurance company is obligated to pay for your resulting lost wages at 60% of your Average Weekly Wage (AWW). There are various ways to establish your wage and an attorney can help you with this to be sure you are being paid all you are due.
2. Payment of Medical Bills
You're entitled to payment for your medical bills resulting from an accepted work injury, but the insurance company has the right to refuse to pay a bill if they think the treatment wasn't related, reasonable or necessary. If this happens, you have the right to request a hearing to appeal that decision.
3. Payment for Permanent Injury
If you have a serious injury that results in a permanent bodily loss, you are entitled to a payment for Permanent Injury. The amount depends on your wage and the type of injury, as well as the extent of injury, which has to be established by a medical examination and report.
4. Job Protections
Employers must provide certain job protections to their employees who are hurt at work in NH. Employers with five or more employees are required to provide alternative work opportunities (TAD) to employees who because of their work injury have restrictions and need job modifications. They are also required to offer their employees reinstatement to their former position, if the employee is able to return to their job within 18 months.
5. Vocational Rehabilitation Services
If, as a result of a work injury, an employee is unable to perform their previous work for which they had training or experience, the employee is entitled to assistance to return to suitable employment; this can be in the form of job placement services or even help paying for retraining.
MORE INFORMATION
If you are in need of a workers' compensation attorney in New Hampshire, contact Anne M. Rice, Esquire, experienced NH workers' compensation attorney.
For a FREE case evaluation by phone contact Rice Law Office PLLC 603-528-5299
