In one of our most recent blogs, MCV Law’s John Iaconis covered several of the biggest advantages injured and sick workers can give themselves by securing legal representation to guide and protect them during their pursuit of Workers’ Compensation benefits. As an injured or sick worker, it can prove extremely helpful to have your own lawyer available to make legal arguments in front of an Administrative Law Judge, advise you of deadlines, identify and correct payment issues, inform you of your rights in advance of Independent Medical Examinations, and counter the arguments of the insurance carrier’s lawyer.
These advantages likely factored into the conclusions of a major study by the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). Released in September, this study generally found that workers receive substantially higher indemnity benefits when attorneys are involved. While the study primarily focuses on patterns of attorneys giving injured and sick workers a direct financial edge, it also makes note of the importance of nonmonetary gains to workers from attorney involvement, such as assistance navigating a complex system, reassurance during a vulnerable time, and assistance gaining employer acceptance of a return-to-work plan. In combination, the monetary and nonmonetary gains listed in this study create an impelling picture of the positive impacts attorneys typically have on Workers’ Compensation cases.
This overarching study was conducted at a nationwide level. However, given the complexity of the New York Workers’ Compensation system, we can confidently infer that the study’s conclusions apply to cases within our state, serving as further evidence of the value attorneys can bring to workers who are navigating the aftermath of an injury or illness and facing the daunting process of filing for Workers’ Compensation benefits.
We are here to help injured and sick workers, and we are always pleased when high level insights, statistics, and research reflect the accomplishments that we and other attorneys in our field have worked so hard to achieve on our clients’ behalf.
WCRI membership is required to access the complete study, which is based on indemnity benefit metrics arising from cases of varying levels of attorney participation, location, injury severity, etc.
If you or a loved one has experienced a work-related injury or illness, we welcome you to connect with our office for guidance on the Workers' Compensation process.
"Very happy with MCV Law. Christopher Stringham and Valerie Swieck have helped me with several injuries over the years and won every case. They are pleasant to work with and explain everything. I recommend them to anyone needing help with Workers' Comp. I am very happy I went with them."
-Jim T., a satisfied MCV Law client
“I recently had the pleasure of working with MCV Law, and I couldn't be more pleased with their exceptional service. From the very start, their team demonstrated a genuine concern and commitment to my case. Communication was clear and timely, and I felt well-informed and supported throughout the entire process. I highly recommend them for anyone in need of legal representation.”
-Nicholas W., a satisfied MCV Law client