Keene Workers’ Comp Lawyer

No one ever goes to work expecting to get hurt, but even in the safest workplaces when all precautions are taken, accidents happen and people get injured. If you sustain an on-the-job injury or develop a work-related illness, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, and a Keene workers’ compensation lawyer from Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. is ready to help you fight for them. Reach out to our New Hampshire personal injury attorneys today.

How Shaheen & Gordon works for you and your family

Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. takes pride in its history of providing creative solutions for clients. No two cases are exactly alike, so we treat each one individually, recognizing its unique circumstances and developing a customized strategy to achieve the most favorable results possible. One of our team members was recently recognized as a in the nation, and you can expect to see that excellence at work when you put your case in our hands.

We have law offices throughout New England, and our personal injury team has served as local advocates for residents of Keene, the state of New Hampshire, and northeastern New England for decades. Throughout your case, you can count on your attorney for sound legal advice, compassionate support, and total commitment to your best interests.

Your legal rights as an injured worker in Keene

You go to work to earn income and provide for yourself and your family. A work-related injury or illness takes away your ability to accomplish those necessary tasks. You can recover your losses and maintain financial security by exercising your rights. Our team is here to help with that. Your rights include:

Right to seek compensation for work injuries: The New Hampshire workers’ compensation law, Chapter 281-A of the Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA), establishes an injured worker’s right to collect compensation after sustaining a work injury or work-related illness.

Right to legal representation: Partnering with an experienced workers’ comp attorney from Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. puts you in the best position to collect the compensation you deserve.

Right to appeal compensation denials: Your employer or their insurance company may deny your claim, but you have the right to appeal that decision and continue the fight for justice with your attorney.

Our team is here to make a difference for you

We take cases to make a difference in our clients’ lives. If you come to us with a workers’ comp case, know that we care about your well-being now and in the future. Our case results show our creative solutions have made a real impact on injured workers’ lives.

“$357,000 in combined workers compensation and personal injury settlement for worker who suffered a debilitating hip injury following a job-related auto accident”

$335,000: “Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. represented a gentleman who injured his back while lifting heavy materials at work…Well before settling the case, Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. obtained yearly cost of living benefit increases for the client. Also before settlement, Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. successfully collected permanent impairment awards for the client in the amounts of $13,500 and $30,000, bringing the total financial award to nearly $380,000.00”

“$230,000 for equipment technician with a lumbar back injury”

“$90,000 for a dry cleaner employee who developed bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome”

Getting these positive outcomes requires taking your case through the legal process with skill. We have the legal knowledge, resources, and experience needed to get the job done. We will investigate your injury or illness and its relationship to your job, working to build your case on a foundation of convincing evidence.

We can manage all types of workers’ compensation cases

Some injured workers do not pursue workers’ compensation benefits because they think their injury or illness is not covered. Never make that assumption. Connect with a Keene workers’ compensation attorney for a free case review.

Accident-Related Injuries

Some injuries result from an accident or traumatic event. A construction worker may fall from a scaffold or take a blow to the head from a crane or other swinging equipment. Those working with power tools can sustain lacerations, amputations, or electrocution. Cooks or chefs can experience burns or deep cuts. Commercial drivers can be involved in a motor vehicle crash.

Those in less physically demanding jobs can still have accidents. Office workers, teachers, or nurses can fall down poorly lit stairs or on slippery floors. If you suffer any accident on the job, it’s worth pursuing workers’ compensation—for instance, our firm successfully represented a man who fractured a hip when a defective chair collapsed at work, and a nursing assistant who herniated a lumbar disc when assisting a patient into a Hoyer lift

Repetitive-strain injuries

Repetitive-strain injuries may be called “overuse injuries,” “repetitive-stress injuries,” or “cumulative trauma injuries.” A body part can become injured from making the same motions over time or from exposure to consistent conditions. For example, office workers can develop carpal tunnel syndrome from typing. Workers exposed to loud noises on a consistent basis and over time can experience hearing loss. Manual laborers can have exacerbations of arthritis in their joints from heavy lifting.

Work-related illnesses

Workers may develop an illness from an unhealthy work environment. Exposure to mold, asbestos, or other toxins can cause respiratory problems and even lead to deadly cancers. Mental health conditions are also covered by workers’ comp, if caused or worsened by job-related trauma. First responders in particular may develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

No matter what your situation is, you can call on us for help. We are here to get you the benefits you are entitled to, so you are justly compensated for your losses and financially secure as you make your way to recovery.

What you need to know about workers’ compensation in Keene

All employers in New Hampshire are required to provide workers’ compensation benefits. All employees, full-time, part-time, temporary, and immigrant workers are covered. Undocumented workers are also be entitled to benefits. Importantly, workers’ compensation provides coverage regardless of who is to blame for the injury. You do not need to prove that your employer did anything wrong in order to qualify – all that matters is that an injury occurred because of exposure to some kind of employment-related risk.

Steps to follow when pursuing workers’ compensation benefits

If your accident requires emergency care, your first priority is getting to a medical facility for treatment. Then, report the incident to your employer. If you do not need emergency care, report the accident and injury to your employer or supervisor and fill out an accident report—your employer should have copies of the appropriate form. If there were any witnesses to the accident, ask them to write an account of what they saw and send it to you.

Get prompt medical care. If your employer’s insurance includes “managed care,” you will have to see a doctor included on the managed list, but that is unusual in New Hampshire – in most cases, you can choose your own doctor. You can also get a second opinion, if you’re so inclined. Inform each doctor that your injury or condition is work-related. Care providers should send all bills to your employer and specify that they treated you for a work-related condition in their reports. Be sure to keep documentation of all doctors’ visits and reports.

Your next call should be to a Keene workers’ compensation attorney. We can help you file your claim, take you through all additional steps, and follow up with your employer to make sure they report the injury to the insurance company and the New Hampshire Department of Labor (DOL). We assist in facilitating a suitable return to work, ensuring your medical professionals decide when resuming employment is safe, free from employer or insurer pressure.

What workers’ compensation benefits cover

Workers’ compensation covers your injury-related medical bills and recoup some of your lost wages through “weekly indemnity benefits” per RSA 281-A:28. These weekly payments comprise 60% of your average weekly wages. Injured workers are eligible for these payments after missing three days of work because of an injury that is totally disabling, but temporary. The formula for calculating the average weekly wage is complicated, so having an attorney’s input is important for ensuring your payments are fair.

Other injured employee benefits schedules may apply in different circumstances. For example, some workers may be partially disabled for a time and able to work in reduced capacity, while others may be permanently impaired and need long-term support. Some workers have multiple employers and may be entitled to indemnity benefits based on the income earned from both. An experienced attorney can analyze your situation and prevent you from losing out on critical compensation.

Vocational Rehabilitation

Some work injuries do not heal fully. They may prevent you from returning to your pre-injury job, but still allow you to work in another capacity. Workers’ compensation can cover vocational training and counseling to prepare you for work in other fields. Vocational rehabilitation follows specific procedures. Your attorney can help you work through those procedures so you get the opportunities you deserve.

We have solutions

Shaheen & Gordon is a solutions-focused, client-centered law firm. Our workers’ compensation lawyers have experience managing all kinds of work-injury cases, and we are ready to help you with yours. Call (800) 451-1002 or send a message to arrange your free case consultation. Our experienced team is ready to help.

Frequently asked questions about workers’ compensation in Keene, NH

Can my employer fire me for seeking workers’ compensation benefits?

It is unlawful for an employer to fire you in retaliation for filing for workers’ compensation, but they can fire you for other reasons while you are on workers’ compensation. Per RSA 281-A:25-a, your employer may be required to reinstate you to your position if a doctor releases you back to work at full duty within 18 months of the accident. A Keene workers’ comp lawyer can fight to protect you from unfair treatment by your employer.

What should I do if my claim is denied?

Your employer or insurance companies may deny your claim, but you don’t have to accept that response as the final answer. If you have not yet partnered with an attorney, make that call right away. Your attorney will review your claim and the reasons for the denial and can determine if you have grounds to dispute the decision. Our team can help you request a hearing with the DOL. According to the DOL’s Workers’ Compensation Fact Sheet, a significant number of appeals resolve in favor of the injured worker.

How long do I have to file a claim?

The statute of limitations for filing your claim is three years from the date your injury occurred. If the nature of the injury or connection to the workplace is not immediately apparent, the timeframe may be extended to three years from the date you came to know or should have known those details. You must report the injury or condition to your employer within two years of the injury or condition’s onset, though earlier reporting is always better.