When Michigan workers suffer illnesses or serious accidents on the job, they are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Navigating this system can be overwhelming, but a Grand Rapids workers’ compensation lawyer can help. Our personal injury attorneys have decades of experience helping injured workers secure the benefits and coverage they deserve.
Why Do I Need a Workers’ Comp Attorney?
A Grand Rapids workers’ compensation attorney can negotiate with insurers to maximize your compensation, recover costs for medical bills, and prevent payment delays. During the legal process, they handle disputes efficiently, letting you focus on recovery.
What Is a Third-Party Lawsuit in a Workers’ Compensation Case?
Employees can sue a third party for negligence if they caused an injury, allowing them to seek damages (like pain and suffering) not covered by workers’ compensation. Construction accidents, faulty machinery, car accidents, or unsafe property conditions are third parties that could be involved.
What Is Workers’ Compensation in Michigan?
The Michigan Workers’ Disability Compensation Act (Act 317 of 1969) provides compensation to employees for work-related injuries or illnesses. It ensures eligible workers can get all reasonable and necessary medical treatment and can include medical benefits, lost wages, and rehabilitation benefits. If you’re injured or become ill because of your employment, you may qualify for these benefits.
What Are Michigan Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
According to the State of Michigan’s Disability Management Office (DMO), the Workers’ Compensation Program is administered by the Office of the State Employer through its Third Party Administrator (TPA), Sedgwick.
Medical Care
For the first 28 days, the state selects the provider via the TPA. After that, injured workers can choose any qualified provider. Sedgwick covers necessary care but may review treatment. When seeking medical treatment before filing a claim, inform the doctor that it’s work-related. Medical expenses covered by workers’ compensation should not be billed to the worker’s own health insurance.
Wage-Loss Benefits
Wage-loss benefits are calculated based on a worker’s average weekly wages (including overtime) from the highest 39 weeks of pay in the past year. Payments are capped at a weekly maximum set by the Workers’ Compensation Agency (WCA).
Supplemental Wage Benefits
Civil Service provides disability wage supplements for up to 50 weeks, covering 2/3 of the worker’s regular wage. Extensions may be approved in special cases.
Long Term Disability (LTD)
The worker can collect LTD benefits for the injury if Sedgwick denies or disputes the workers’ compensation claim.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Injured employees who can’t return to their previous work may receive vocational rehabilitation, including job adjustments, counseling, training, and other resources, to help them reenter the workforce.
Why Can Michigan Workers’ Compensation Cases Be Denied?
In Michigan, workers’ compensation claims can be denied for reasons like missing legal deadlines, lack of medical evidence, disputes over whether the injury is work-related, or preexisting conditions. Claims may also be denied if the injury resulted from intentional misconduct or if the employee was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Common Types of Work-Related Accidents in Grand Rapids
Our law practice has handled many common workplace injuries and accidents, including slip and fall incidents, burns or chemical exposures, repetitive motion injuries, machinery-related injuries, and overexertion injuries.
Most Common Workplace Injuries
Some of the more common injuries clients have had include:
- Broken bones
- Sprains and strains
- Burns
- Repetitive stress injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
- Neck, spine, and back injuries
- Head trauma and traumatic brain injuries
What Should I Do After a Workplace Accident in Grand Rapids, MI?
Under Michigan law, job-related injuries or illnesses may qualify you for workers’ compensation benefits. Report the injury to your supervisor right away and visit an approved clinic, keeping your medical records. The DMO will file a claim with Sedgwick, the state’s WC Administrator, or guide you to file it yourself.
Contact Our Law Firm Today
Our experienced personal injury attorneys help injured employees secure the benefits they deserve. We work on a contingency fee basis for all personal injury cases. Contact us for a free consultation.
(312) 223-1700