Worker's Compensation Archives | Ahlander Injury Law

Is PTSD Covered by Workers Compensation in Las Vegas, NV?

January 8, 2019 by Erik

If you’ve been involved in an accident or traumatic experience at work and are suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), you may qualify for benefits through your workers’ compensation program. The Nevada Department of Business and Industry strives to provide impartial assistance to both employers and employees. The Department regulates a timely and accurate distribution of workers’ compensation benefits. Make sure you are familiar with your coverage and follow all compliance regulations and guidelines in order to take advantage of workers’ compensation PTSD benefits.

PTSD and Workers’ Compensation Coverage

Most injuries and illnesses that occur in the workplace are covered by workers’ compensation in the state of Nevada. Employees who file a workers’ compensation PTSD claim may qualify for the following benefits.

Medical Treatment
Lost Time Compensation (TTD/TPD)
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)
Permanent Total Disability (PTD)
Vocational Rehabilitation
Dependent benefits in the event of death
Other claims-related expenses

Exemptions

Before filing a claim, it is important to be aware that there are factors relating to the incident which may disqualify you from receiving PTSD workers’ compensation.

If the employee was not performing their usual business, occupation, or trade.
If the employee was knowingly negligent when the injury occurred.
If the employee was attempting to hurt themselves or another person.
If the employee was traveling to or from work.
If the employee was intoxicated at the time of the injury.

Workers’ Compensation PTSD Settlement

Notify your employer of any problems as soon as possible and find out what forms need to be filled out and any other steps that need to be taken. Visit your doctor and gather any information needed about your medical history and current situation. Make sure you take note of due dates and get everything turned in on time! Usually, you will have seven days to notify your employer and 90 days to file a claim for compensation.

If your claim is denied or disputed, there are a couple of things you can try before taking legal action. Start by contacting the insurance claims adjuster and see if you can resolve any issues with them. If that doesn’t work, you can request a hearing within 70 days. If you still do not feel the issue has been resolved after the hearing, you can appeal the hearing officer’s decision within 30 days.

If you decide to appeal after the hearing, now is the time you will want to speak with an attorney. Attorneys can be extremely helpful when it comes to keeping track of deadlines and evidence and effectively arguing your case.

Reach out to Ahlander Injury Law in Nevada if you need assistance with your PTSD workers’ compensation claim. Our attorney will speak with you personally and give you the attention you deserve. Learn more about why you need an attorney for your workers’ compensation claim and contact us today to set up an appointment!

These Stats Show Why You May Need a Slip and Fall Attorney in Las Vegas, NV

October 8, 2018 by Erik

Unfortunately, slips and falls happen. Sometimes they are through no one’s fault but your own clumsy two feet…but sometimes they are caused by negligence on the part of another person or business. Since the consequences of taking a bad spill can add up (chronic pain, time missing work, medical bills, etc.), it’s important to talk to a slip and fall attorney to find out your options so you’re not left high and dry.

Here are some slip and fall statistics about who falls and where they fall that are good to know and may inspire you to take legal action.

Who Has Slip and Fall Accidents?

Here are some slip and fall statistics regarding who is most likely to experience an accident:

The National Floor Safety Institute says more women than men will experience a slip and fall accident, but fall fatalities are nearly equally divided.

The National Safety Council stated that in 2013, over 47,000 workers were injured badly enough by a fall to require days off of work and 595 workers died because of one. Construction workers are most at risk of death via fall. As far as injuries go, many industries are at risk, but perhaps surprisingly, workers in government, education, and health services lead the list.

More than one in four people over 65 years old will experience a fall. Also, over 60% of nursing home residents fall each year. According to the CDC in 2005, more than 15,000 people this age died as a result, making it the leading cause of injuries and death from injury. Falls also account for half of all deaths that occur at home, meaning it can happen to anyone.

What Causes Slip and Fall Accidents?

Regarding what causes slip and fall accidents, the most common reasons are:

Home hazards such as broken or uneven steps and throw rugs or other clutter that can be tripped over.

At work, employees slipping on slick floors is attributed to 85% of worker’s compensation claims. Many other falls involve unsafe ladder practices or damaged equipment.

Use of medicines such as tranquilizers, sedatives, antidepressants, or even over-the-counter medications can affect balance.

Hire an Expert Slip and Fall Attorney

If you have been injured by a slip and fall and have incurred pain, trauma, time away from work, and a pile of medical bills, please contact Ahlander Injury Law to schedule a free initial consultation with our expert slip and fall attorney.

What to Expect in a Workers’ Comp Settlement

April 1, 2018 by Erik

You do your job. You clock in each day, and you take care of business, steadily checking items off your to-do list. Then something happens. Maybe some boxes tip over, maybe the package you received was a lot heavier than you expected, maybe a door comes crashing closed at just the wrong time. Before you know it, just another day at the office becomes the day that you are no longer able to work–at least for a while.

So what do you do now?

Once you seek the proper medical attention, you will want to file a workers’ compensation claim. Your employer has coverage that will help alleviate the financial strain that comes along with getting injured on the job.

What does workers’ compensation cover?

It will cover hospital bills, the ambulance ride, and other costs associated with the injury. It also covers a portion of missed wages associated with the injury, any attorney fees you may accrue in the claims process, and provides temporary disability for the time needed to recover from the work-related injury.

What happens after you file a claim?

Once your employer’s insurance company accepts the claim, it will likely offer money to cover medical bills along with a payment plan for the other costs covered. You can choose to accept the insurance company’s offer, or you can press for a lump sum settlement or a larger structured settlement. If you decide to seek a larger settlement, you and your attorney will negotiate with your employer’s insurance company. Your company is kept in the loop, but you would not be engaged in any direct negotiations with your employer.

Your attorney and the insurance company will negotiate, which can result in a compromise amount between their initial offer and the amount you subsequently seek. If you cannot agree on a settlement, you may engage in a workers’ comp hearing in which a judge will decide on the amount to be awarded. This could result in less than the previous offers, but with skilled representation, this is unlikely.

Whatever road your workers’ compensation claim takes, you want to have the best representation you can get. By having a skilled workers comp attorney like Ahlander Injury Law, you can get the settlement you deserve. With the right attorney taking care of your claim, you can focus on getting better.

When to Call an Accident Lawyer

March 1, 2018 by Erik

Getting in a car accident can bring on a state of shock that makes it hard to know how to move forward. Though some situations work out relatively smoothly, people often have difficulty with insurance claims, medical bills, and more. In the unfortunate event of a car accident, here are a few guidelines to help you decide when to call an accident lawyer.

At the scene of the accident

Before we talk about when to bring in a lawyer, it’s important to know what to do at the scene of the accident. If you do need a lawyer, the information collected at this stage is vital for your lawyer to be able to help you.

Be sure to keep your car at the scene of the accident, take photos of the damage, and collect insurance information from the other people involved. You should also immediately call the police, and an ambulance if necessary.

Bringing in a lawyer

Because complications can come up after an accident, it’s always good to run your situation by an accident lawyer. Car accidents can cause injury, loss of income, auto body damage, and even long-term disability. A car accident lawyer can help to negotiate the best possible outcome for you and work through the complicated red tape with your insurance.

Particularly, lawyers are important to bring on board if you’ve already talked with insurance and are struggling to work out a reasonable claim. If you’re over your medical limit from insurance and still need medical help, this is another time an accident lawyer is crucial to getting the attention you need.

Ahlander Injury Law serves the Las Vegas, Nevada area, and we are ready to help you resolve difficulties stemming from your car accident. Contact us today.

Workers’ Comp vs. Lawsuit: What Choice is Right for You?

June 19, 2017 by Erik

An accident can happen to anyone. Unfortunately, it can even happen when you’re at work, resulting in an injury you sustain while on the job. Of course, when you are injured while you’re working, you have options available to you if it’s serious enough that you will require medical treatment or time off from work. Most businesses have workers’ compensation insurance available just for this very reason. There is also the option of filing a personal injury lawsuit against your employer. However, it can be difficult to understand the difference between these options and knowing which is the more appropriate one to choose for your situation. [Read more…]