Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Workers' compensation is an insurance program that pays you benefits if you are unable to perform your regular job due to a workplace injury or occupational disease. Workers' compensation is designed to pay benefits regardless of who was at fault for the injury or disease. As long as your condition is work-related, you are most likely covered. If you are not receiving the benefits you deserve, our lawyers can help.

At the law firm of Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman PLLC, our workers' comp lawyers in Southaven represent injured and sick workers. We offer a free initial consultation to review your case and answer your questions about workers' compensation.

What Are Your Rights If You Get Hurt at Work?

After an on-the-job injury, it’s important that you know your legal rights, including your right to recover workers’ compensation. In Mississippi, eligible employees can recover workers’ comp benefits after sustaining an injury while working or if they are diagnosed with an illness or condition caused by their work. It’s important to note that you could still be eligible for benefits even if you did not suffer your injury at an actual place of work; as long as you were injured while carrying out duties that benefit your employer and you are a covered worker, you can file for benefits.

If you are injured at work in Mississippi, here are some rights you should know:

• Most workers in Mississippi are covered by workers’ compensation; exempt employees include domestic workers, farm workers, and non-profit employees
• You must report your injury to your employer within 30 days of the accident or within 30 days of receiving a diagnosis for your work-related condition
• You are allowed to choose your own doctor after a work-related injury, and your doctor can refer you to one specialist; however, additional referrals will require your employer’s approval
• Workers’ compensation benefits cover all reasonable medical expenses (including transportation to doctors’ appointments), as well as wage replacement
• Temporary disability benefits are available to those who are unable to work while recovering from their injuries; you can receive up to two thirds your average weekly wages up to a set limit
• After you reach maximum medical improvement (as determined by your doctor), you may be able to receive permanent disability benefits (partial or total)
• You can receive workers’ compensation benefits for a total of 450 weeks or until your doctor determines that you are able to return to work

If you have any questions about your rights after a work-related injury, or if you need help filing your workers’ compensation claim, contact our attorneys for a free and confidential consultation.

You May Be Eligible for Compensation

If you've suffered an injury during the course of work or have an occupational illness that developed because of the work you do, then you should know that some of your expenses may be covered by workers' compensation in Mississippi.

Some common workplace injuries include:

• Overexertion
• Slip or trip and fall accidents
• Struck by object
• Machinery accident
• Workplace violence

Understanding what is covered isn't always easy without help from a lawyer. In addition, certain actions you take can actually hurt your claim. At Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman PLLC, we will make sure you don't make any of the common mistakes that end up costing injured workers access to workers' compensation benefits.

Should I Hire an Attorney for My Workers Compensation Claim?

The experienced team at Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman PLLC is well versed in workers’ compensation law, and are advocates on your side, fighting for your best interest all along the way. Call our firm today to find out how we can help you especially if:

• You have a preexisting condition
• Your claim has been denied
• Your permanent disability rating has been challenged
• You have a workers’ compensation hearing coming up
• You are already receiving other government benefits

Workers' Compensation Benefits

Workers' compensation provides three main benefits to workers who are injured on the job or suffer an occupational disease:

• Free medical care and prescription drugs for your injury or illness
• Temporary disability benefits for as long as you are unable to work or can only work part-time
• A lump sum payment for any percentage of permanent disability you suffer

In Mississippi, you have a choice of physicians. In Tennessee, you can choose from a panel of five physicians for a back injury or a panel of three physicians for most other injuries. In either state, you may be entitled to a second opinion if you don't agree with the workers' compensation doctor.