Workers’ Compensation Hearings
Seek a Beneficial Outcome with the Help of Our Louisville Workers’ Comp Attorney
Workers’ compensation hearings can be stressful and complicated. That is why Justice Law Office is committed to representing the rights of clients in court against insurance companies. Adequate preparation and organization is key to pursuing a successful outcome. If your claim has been denied, it is important to use solid evidence to convince a judge of your entitlement to compensation. Our Louisville workers’ compensation lawyer has guided numerous clients through mediations and formal court hearings. We can answer your questions and aggressively defend your case every step of the way. Contact our office today to discuss your situation with our passionate lawyer. We offer free consultations for your convenience.
Preparing for a Workers’ Compensation Hearing
Preparation for a workers’ compensation hearing is essential. Before the hearing, it is important to collect necessary evidence and mentally prepare to testify. It can be helpful to create a timeline of your medical treatment, as well as write down descriptions of your injuries, symptoms, and physical limitations. Furthermore, you will need to discuss how your accident occurred to show that it actually happened at work, especially since the insurance company is disputing your claim.
Evidence for a workers’ compensation hearing may include:
- Paystubs, for lost wages
- Medical records
- Unpaid medical bills
- Employment records
- Personnel records
- Depositions by expert witnesses
Generally, a mediation and pretrial conference will be held prior to the hearing. During the mediation, your attorney will negotiate with the insurance company’s attorney to try and reach a settlement. These negotiations may continue through the pretrial conference, where you will exchange relevant information with the judge. However, if a settlement cannot be agreed upon by both parties, the case will proceed to a formal hearing.
What You Need to Know About Workers’ Compensation Hearings
The hearing itself may be very short. It generally takes a few hours to present both sides of the argument. You may have to testify, and you may also call other witnesses to provide testimonies on your behalf. Once all the evidence is presented, the judge will make a decision regarding your settlement. Our Louisville workers’ compensation attorney can guide you through this stressful experience as you pursue a favorable outcome.
Witnesses could be:
- Fellow employees
- Others who saw the accident
- Experts, such as physicians
Instead of making a final decision at the hearing itself, the judge will send out a court order after the hearing is over. This will usually occur within 30 to 90 days. Depending on the outcome, you may file an appeal to seek a greater amount of compensation.
In Kentucky, the statute of limitations for filing a workers’ compensation claim is 2 years. This means you have 2 years from the date of your injury to pursue a financial settlement. If you wait longer than 2 years to file a claim, it will be difficult to obtain compensation.
Passionate Representation for Clients in Workers’ Compensation Hearings
At Justice Law Office, we diligently represent injured employees in workers’ compensation hearings. We can collect the necessary evidence, practice with you as you prepare to testify, and stand by your side every step of the way. Our firm prides itself on finding effective legal strategies for each situation. We can analyze the facts of your case, use thorough preparation, and present your side of the argument in court.
Call our Louisville workers’ compensation lawyer today at (502) 822-2230 for assistance with a workers’ compensation hearing.