If you have suffered an injury while on the job, Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. is here to fight for the justice you deserve. Contact us to schedule an appointment with a New Hampshire worker’ lawyer. Initial consultations are completely free and confidential.

New Hampshire Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

Serving All of New Hampshire from Our Offices in Concord, Dover, Nashua & Manchester

You’ve worked hard to make ends meet, to build a career, and you’re proud of the work you’ve done. But now that you’ve been hurt on the job, you’re not sure where to turn for help.

Your employer may be pressuring you to come back to work, and the insurance company certainly doesn’t want you on its books. The only thing you want is a straight answer.

When a work accident forces you to stay home, financial insecurity is not often far away. Even though your income is less, you still need to eat and pay your bills. On top of that, you may have medical bills that make things worse yet. Our team is here to assist you with all aspects of your workers’ compensation claim.

The lawyers and staff in the workers’ compensation law group at Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. have experience and expertise in all aspects of workers’ compensation law in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts.

Let Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. help you find your way through the maze of workers’ comp. Contact our NH workers’ compensation attorneys online or call 800 451-1002.

What Is Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ compensation – sometimes called workman’s compensation or workers’ comp – is a body of laws designed to help people who can’t work because of an accidental injury or illness suffered while working.

The basic workers’ compensation benefits include:

• Lost wages (“indemnity benefits”)
• Payment of medical bills
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Permanent injuries or impairments

It is important to understand that by retaining an attorney, you are not suing your employer. In fact, in New Hampshire (and most states), injured employees usually cannot sue their employer for workplace injuries. The claim is against the insurance company only.

Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Lost Wages

Weekly indemnity benefits are paid to you in place of the check you usually receive from your employer.

These are basically your “lost wages.” Under the law, if you are totally disabled from working, you are entitled to a weekly check from the insurance carrier in the amount of 60% of your gross average weekly wage. Generally, your average weekly wage is based on your last 26 weeks of paychecks before your injury.

Medical Bills

Payment of medical bills is the other essential right of workers’ compensation. Any medical bills that you incur as a result of your injury are paid by the insurance carrier as long as the medical services are directly related to the workplace injury, and are reasonable and necessary.

This provision generally includes costs associated with prescriptions or over-the-counter medicines, or medical devices, and reimbursement for mileage to and from doctors’ offices.

Vocational Rehabilitation

In some cases, vocational rehabilitation may also be appropriate. If after your doctor has released you to return to work, you are unable to return to your usual occupation because of your injury or illness, you may be entitled to receive help in finding a new job or occupation by way of a private vocational rehabilitation specialist, paid for by the insurance carrier.

Permanent Impairment

If your doctor says that you have a permanent impairment, you are entitled to a certain sum of money depending on the extent of your injury. This lump sum award is evaluated by using the American Medical Association’s Guidelines to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairments.

If you are left with a permanent impairment after receiving all appropriate medical treatment, you should know exactly what you are entitled to. Don’t expect the insurance company to look out for your best interests.

Other Benefits

There are a number of other rights you may be entitled to, as well as obligations you have during the life of your workers’ compensation claim. Some of these laws involve statutes of limitations, return to work, reasonable accommodations, partial disability benefits, and many more.

The workers’ compensation lawyers at Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. can give you the legal advice you need to make it through your workers’ compensation claim, and get what you deserve. Contact us at 800 451-1002 to get started.

5 Common Types of Workplace Injuries

There are many types of work-related injuries that can occur from any number of accidents.

Some of the most common workplace injuries include:

• Falls: Whether it was a slip and fall accident on a wet surface or a fall from a height, these are some of the most common work-related injuries in the United States. Ladders, roofs, spills, trips, and falls can cause serious damage to the victim and may take years to recover from.
• Neck and back injuries: Falling from heights or slips and falls on the job can cause serious back or neck injuries, but so can standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time or using improper lifting techniques. Back and neck injuries can be debilitating and result in costly medical expenses.
• Car accidents: Motor vehicle accidents, especially those caused by delivery personnel, are common as well. Traffic, speeding, reckless drivers, and drunk drivers can all cause you serious injuries. These accidents may also pertain to forklift operators or other small-vehicle drivers.
• Exposure to harmful substances: Working in loud environments or around harmful chemicals risk severe injuries to a worker’s eyes, ears, and skin. Without proper protection even respiratory systems are at risk in these types of environments.
• Crush accidents: Being caught underneath, between or underneath an object can cause major complications. Crush accidents are medical emergencies and may require amputation or surgery and can sometimes cause death.

If you have been injured while on the job, you deserve compensation, and our team can help. Even if your injury was small, such as a twisted ankle or broken finger, you can still obtain medical benefits and workers’ compensation. You should never suffer alone, and when you work with our team, you will never have to.

Rights of Injured Workers

Did you know that after an injury, you have rights? You have the right to receive workers’ compensation in a timely manner and the right to benefits that can help you heal and move forward. Most people are unsure of what they will be able to obtain and how they will be able to go about receiving their benefits, but when you work with an attorney from Shaheen & Gordon, P.A., you can rest assured that we will fight for your workers’ compensation benefits.

If your compensation gets denied, you can count on our team to help you appeal the benefits as well. Contact Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. to speak with an attorney right away!

Your rights after an accident include:

• The right to obtain medical care by a physician that you choose
• The right to medical care being paid for
• The right to return the position you left or be provided vocational training to help you obtain another position in the event that you cannot return to your job
• The right to receive a portion of their paid salary as a part of the disability benefits, both permanent and temporary
• The right to be treated with respect and dignity by physicians, care providers and employer

There are many other rights that you are entitled to and if you feel that your rights are being violated in any manner, it is important that you work with an attorney to help you obtain the best available outcome for your case.

Being injured is difficult and especially when your rights are being taken away from you and your family. Do not hesitate to work with our team after an accident.

There are some important steps you can take to help us help you:

• Speak with one of our attorneys right away. As time goes by, the insurance company may take steps to prejudice your claim, and valuable evidence may disappear.
• Revisit your medical provider so any on-going complaints can be documented. Make sure your doctor completes the Workers’ Compensation Medical Form.
• When you work with your workers’ comp attorney, be up front and honest about any pre-existing medical conditions.

What Can Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. Do for Me?

Every case is unique and may require different courses of action, but we will use our workers’ compensation experience to help you get every dollar you deserve. We will work with the insurance company on your behalf so you can focus on your medical needs and taking care of your family.