Injured at Work Attorneys in Denver, Colorado
Hurt on the job in Denver or elsewhere in the surrounding region? If you’re wondering where to begin, you are not alone. Handling medical bills and dealing with insurance companies should not be part of your recovery process. Whether you have been injured at work or elsewhere, an experienced Denver attorney can manage your claim and determine who is liable for your injuries. You do not have to take on the workers’ compensation claims process alone.
My firm, The Law Offices of W. Dan Mahoney, P.C., is based on more than a quarter century of personal injury and insurance claim experience. I know the Denver-area legal system and understand how healthcare providers and insurance companies operate. My firm is committed to personalized, results-focused legal representation. To set up a free, no-obligation consultation with a top, please contact me at my Denver law office today.
Prepared To Handle Any Work-Related Injury in Denver, Colorado
When I start managing your case, I will walk through the details of your situation with you to ensure your claim is properly handled. I have helped many Colorado residents file and settle their claims. I help anyone with a debilitating injury or injuries such as:
- Head injury
- Neck injury
- Back injury
- Shoulder injury
- Hip injury
Whether you work in construction or some other industry, I can help you obtain the workers’ compensation benefits to which you are entitled. My previous experience as a defense attorney for insurance carriers is a significant asset to my current clients: I understand how insurers determine who qualifies for compensation, and I will use that knowledge to advocate for injury victims.
What Is A Workers’ Compensation Injury?
The answer lies in two separate questions: Did the injury occur on the job? Did your injury occur while doing your job (or in the “course and scope” of your employment)? The state of Colorado poses those questions so the relevant parties can determine if they have a legitimate workers’ compensation claim.
If it is, the injured worker could receive medical coverage and compensation for pain and suffering, lost work, disability or other necessities. Compensation is usually provided through the insurance company of the responsible party.
Retaining an experienced lawyer strengthens your claim, which often leads to a better settlement or reasoning for a lawsuit.
The Steps to Take After an On-the-Job Injury in Colorado
A work-related accident can be stressful and confusing. It is normal to feel confused, even overwhelmed, about what exactly you need to do next. Taking the right steps is key to protecting your health, well-being, and legal rights.
Here are five important steps that you should take after being injured on the job in Denver or elsewhere in Colorado:
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: When an injury occurs on the job in Colorado, the first and foremost step to take is seeking immediate medical attention. Your health and well-being should be the top priority. Even if an injury seems minor, it is vital to get a professional evaluation. Beyond protecting your well-being, it is important to emphasize that you cannot get workers’ comp benefits in Denver if you do not see a doctor.
- Notify Your Supervisor/Employer: Colorado law requires prompt notification of an employer in the event of a workplace accident. As soon as you are safe and have received the necessary emergency medical attention, notify your supervisor or employer about the incident. In Colorado, it is imperative to report the injury to your employer within ten working days. Provide a clear and concise account of what happened. If you have questions about reporting an accident, a work injury lawyer in Denver can help.
- Thoroughly Document the Incident: Documenting the incident is an essential step in protecting your rights and building a solid foundation for any claims you may need to file. Take pictures of your injuries and the area where the accident occurred, if possible. Collect the names and contact information of any witnesses. Keep a record of all medical treatments and expenses, and jot down notes on how the injury has affected your daily life and ability to work. You can share this information with your Denver work injury attorney.
- Consult With a Denver Workplace Injury Lawyer: In Colorado, navigating the workers’ compensation system can be complicated. The right professional representation can make a difference. Be sure to consult with an experienced Denver workplace injury lawyer. Your attorney will help you understand your rights, know the benefits you may be entitled to, and guide you through the legal claims process.
- File for Workers’ Compensation Benefits: Finally, you need to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. Notifying your employer of a workplace injury or occupational disease is not the same thing as actually filing for benefits. In Colorado, the claim must be filed within two years of the injury. Of course, there is no reason to wait to bring your claim. Your employer should provide you with the necessary forms to start the claims process. Be thorough when filling them out, and ensure all the information is accurate. Your work injury lawyer in Denver can help.
An Overview of Workers’ Comp Laws in Colorado
In Colorado, workers’ compensation laws serve as a safety net for employees who sustain injuries or suffer from illnesses related to their employment. These laws are vital in ensuring that injured workers get the medical care and financial support needed during recovery. As an experienced work injury lawyer in Denver, I have deep knowledge and expertise in Colorado law and the ins and outs of the claims process.
Here are some key points workers should know:
- Workers’ Comp is Required for Employers: As explained by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, almost all employers in the state are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, even if they only have one employee.
- An Exclusive Remedy for Injured Workers: A workers’ comp claim is typically the sole legal remedy that an injured worker has against their own employer. A personal injury lawsuit against your own employer in Colorado is generally not an option.
- No-Fault Coverage: In exchange for forgoing the right to sue, employees get no-fault workers’ compensation insurance coverage. You do not have to prove that your employer “caused” your injury or illness to be eligible to get benefits.
- Timely Reporting of Injuries: In case of an injury, employees must report the incident to their employer promptly. The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment notes that an employee’s failure to report an injury within 10 business days could be used against them in the claims process.
Understanding Denver Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Ultimately, the core purpose of workers’ compensation insurance is to ensure that people hurt on the job are able to access the benefits that they need to support themselves and their families and to make a recovery. In Colorado, a wide variety of different workers’ compensation benefits may be available. As an experienced Denver workplace injury attorney, I always represent clients with a focus on ensuring that they are able to maximize all of their benefits.
Here are the benefits that may be available through a Colorado workers’ compensation claim:
- Medical Benefits: Your health needs always come first. Workers’ comp medical benefits cover all necessary medical treatment for work-related injuries and illnesses.
- Temporary Total Disability Benefits (TTD): TTD benefits are compensation for lost wages if an employee is unable to work temporarily due to injury. At a baseline, these benefits are calculated at two-thirds of an employee’s average weekly wage. Though, there are state-mandated minimum and maximum TTD benefits.
- Permanent Disability Benefits (PPD): In some cases, an injured worker may be left with permanent physical or mental impairments. Colorado workers’ comp provides permanent disability benefits for employees who sustain a permanent impairment. The extent of these benefits is highly case-specific.
- Vocational Rehabilitation: Vocational rehabilitation benefits are for workers who cannot return to their previous job by providing training and education for a new occupation.
- Death Benefits: Unfortunately, workplace fatalities still happen far too often in Colorado. Workers’ compensation death benefits provide financial support to the dependents of a worker who dies due to a work-related injury or illness.
What to Know About Third-Party Liability Work Injury Claims
Workers’ comp is a legal remedy for people hurt on the job in Colorado. It is not necessarily the only legal remedy that is available in every case. In some situations, an injured worker may also have a claim against a negligent third party. These cases—referred to simply as third-party liability claims—are fault-based legal matters. A number of different parties may be named as a defendant in a third-party work injury claim in Colorado.
Examples include:
- Contractors;
- Subcontractors;
- Property owners;
- Developers;
- Equipment manufacturers; and
- Motorists.
Additional financial compensation may be recovered through a fault-based third-party liability claim, potentially including for pain and suffering. Notably, an injured worker does not have to choose: They might have two separate claims: a workers’ compensation claim against their employer for medical expenses and lost wages and a third-party liability claim against the responsible party for additional damages. As an experienced work injury lawyer in Denver, I have the skills, knowledge, and tenacity to represent clients in all types of third-party liability cases.
Why Rely on Denver Work Injury Attorney Dan Mahoney
Workers’ compensation claims are complicated. As a top Denver work injury lawyer with decades of experience fighting for the rights and interests of people who were hurt on the job in Colorado, I have a proven history of favorable verdicts and settlements in workers’ compensation claims. No matter the situation that you are dealing with, I am prepared to invest the time, resources, and attention to understand your case and help you take action to secure justice and the maximum workers’ comp benefits available under Colorado law. You do not have to go up against an employer or an insurance company alone. I offer a free, no-obligation consultation. Further, my law firm does not charge any legal fees unless you receive compensation.
Contact Me for a Free Consultation With a Denver Workplace Injury Lawyer
I am a Denver-based workplace lawyer representing clients in Denver County, Adams County, Jefferson County, The Western Slope, The Foothills, and throughout Colorado.
To schedule a free consultation with no obligation, call The Law Offices of W. Dan Mahoney, P.C., at 303-407-0484 or send me an email. I do not receive compensation unless you receive compensation. Se habla español.