Best Workers Compensation Lawyers in Kenosha, WI

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Kenosha, Wisconsin?

  You can reach the Kenosha Police Department at (262) 656-1234 for non-emergency dispatch.

• Where can I get a copy of police report for incidents related to my case in Kenosha, Wisconsin?

  You can request a copy of a police report by completing a request form and submitting it via mail, fax, or in-person to the Kenosha Joint Services Records Bureau. Please allow 10 working days for your request to be responded to. The copy of the report can be mailed back to you or you can pick it up from the Public Safety Building’s Information Counter. For inquiries, call the Records Bureau at (262) 605–5015.

  Request form: http://www.kenoshajs.org/public-records/reports-request/request_for_records_fillable_2.pdf

  Fax to: (262) 653-6909

  Submit or mail to: Kenosha Joint Services ATTN: Records
  1000 55th Street Kenosha, WI 53140

• Will workers' compensation pay for the wages you lost from missing work in Kenosha?

  Yes, workers’ compensation in Kenosha covers lost income due to a work-related injury or illness. You will start getting disability or wage replacement benefits from your fourth day of absence from work. Your first three days of absence will not be covered unless your absence extends over seven days. Disability benefits pay for two-thirds of the salary you lost and are calculated based on your average gross weekly salary. So, if you were earning $500 weekly, you will receive $333.33.

• Can you choose your treating physician while receiving workers’ compensation benefits in Kenosha?

  The workers’ compensation program in Kenosha gives injured workers the right to be treated by their preferred doctor. You can choose any state-licensed doctor and must inform the insurer of your choice. However, note that the insurer has the right to send a doctor to examine you and follow that doctor’s recommendations. If the insurance doctor says you can go back to work, but your doctor disagrees, that is an issue a workers' compensation attorney can help you with.

• What if your injury was caused by a violation of safety laws in Kenosha?

  Although workers’ compensation insurance is a no-fault system, it can make a negligent Kenosha employer accountable for safety violations. According to Wisconsin Workers Compensation Statutes Section 102.57, the injured employee's benefits will be increased by 15% up to $15,000, and the negligent employer will have to pay for that increase. So, if your injury was due to a safety violation, and you are receiving $50,000 in disability benefits, your employer will pay you an extra $7,500 for the violation.

• What happens if you can no longer go back to your previous work in Kenosha due to your injury?

  If you can no longer perform your previous job in Kenosha or your employer has no work available for you that accommodates the restrictions your doctor advised, you may be eligible for retraining benefits under workers’ compensation. Retraining benefits include classroom retraining arranged by a counselor from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, weekly benefit payouts, and coverage for tuition, book, meal, and mileage expenses.

• Is there a deadline for claiming workers’ compensation benefits in Kenosha, WI?

  Yes, there are two deadlines you must know when it comes to workers' compensation in Kenosha. First, you must report your injury to your employer within 30 days from the date you were injured, or 30 days from the date you found out you have a work-related illness. Second, workers’ compensation claims must be filed with the Wisconsin Workers’ Compensation Division within six years. Normally, your employer's insurance carrier will report your claim to the WC Division within 14 days.

• What does a workers’ compensation attorney do?

  Workers’ compensation attorneys help injured employees recover monetary benefits following workplace accidents and illnesses. Attorneys in this practice area provide legal advice, gather evidence, review medical records, prepare petitions, and negotiate insurance settlements. They also represent clients’ interests during court cases and administrative hearings overseen by state workers’ compensation boards.

• What are the benefits of filing a workers’ compensation claim?

  Workers’ compensation insurance gives employees access to vital cash benefits in case of workplace injuries or illnesses. Filing a claim can help injured workers pay for medical care, physical therapy, and essential living expenses while they recover from a temporary or permanent disability. Workers’ compensation also pays for funeral and burial expenses following fatal workplace injuries.

• How long does a workers’ compensation claim stay open?

  Workers’ compensation claims typically remain open as long as the individual is receiving treatment or until the injured party reaches maximum medical improvement. This milestone varies for each person, and it can take years to determine whether a disability is temporary or permanent. Additionally, there’s a fixed time limit for filing a lawsuit. The statute of limitations can be anywhere from six months to two years from the date of the injury or the date of the last payment, depending on the worker’s state of residence. A qualified attorney can explain your state’s specific rules.

• What is the average payout for a workers’ compensation claim?

  Nationally, the average workers’ compensation claimant receives $21,800. Payouts range from $2,000 on the low end to upwards of $60,000 for well-compensated workers in high-income areas. The exact amount depends on the claimant’s average weekly paycheck, the extent of the injuries, and their state of residence. Individuals who accept an insurance settlement or initial offer typically receive less than those who negotiate or have an attorney represent them before an arbitrator or workers’ compensation judge.

• How are settlements calculated in workers’ compensation cases?

  Settlements typically cover current and future medical expenses, vocational rehabilitation or retraining, and two-thirds of lost wages. The total amount may vary depending on whether the worker’s disability is temporary or permanent. Workers’ compensation also pays death benefits, including funeral expenses and two-thirds of wages for up to 25 years or a state-specified maximum.

• What is workers comp?

  Workers' compensation is an insurance program that provides medical care, rehabilitation, and other benefits for employees who are injured or fall ill while performing assigned work duties. Common reasons for filing a workers' comp claim include slip and fall injuries, machinery accidents, or muscle strains while lifting heavy items.

  All businesses must carry some form of workers' compensation insurance, with minimum guidelines imposed by the state of residence. Workers' comp is intended to safeguard both the employee and the employer by providing a social safety net. This can protect companies from civil suits and guarantee that injured employees receive the benefits they need.

• What does workers comp cover?

  Workers' compensation insurance covers benefits associated with a wide range of accidents and illnesses that may occur in a place of work. This can include:

  • Medical benefits, such as payments for treatments, hospitalizations, or surgeries
  • Compensation for lost wages while not working
  • Coverage for ongoing care, such as physical therapy
  • Continued access to benefits, including insurance provided through an employer
  • Disability benefits, if an injury results in a permanent loss of functioning in some manner
  • Death benefits and funeral expense coverage

  How and when workers' compensation coverage applies depends on the illness or injury in question and the results of a medical exam. An unsatisfactory ruling by an insurer can be appealed with help from a workers' comp attorney.

  
  

• What does a workers comp defense attorney do?

  A workers' compensation defense attorney is a legal professional who represents the employer in a workers’ comp case. Typically, the defense attorney works to minimize the employer’s liability and reduce the amount of benefits to be paid out.

• When does workers comp start paying?

  How and when workers' comp starts paying can depend on both the circumstances and the state in which an injury took place. In most areas, benefits related to medical care start paying out immediately, even before a claim is formally processed or accepted. Once a case is approved, injured workers may be entitled to other benefits, including coverage for lost wages.

• How much is workers comp insurance for self-employed people?

  Workers' compensation isn't required for self-employed individuals, but those working in dangerous industries, such as construction or manufacturing, may choose to purchase policies. In some cases, employers may request this coverage when hiring a contractor. While costs will vary based on industry and location, most freelancers can expect to pay around $25 to $50 per month.

• How do I file a workers comp claim?

  A workers' comp claim is best filed as soon as an injury occurs. In some states, there are time limits, such as one month following an incident.

  After an injury, an employee must notify their employer. The employer must then provide access to the necessary forms and offer guidance. Employees must fill out all forms and return them to the employer who then files them with the insurer. Some states have additional requirements, including assessment by a medical provider. Once the paperwork has been filed, the insurance provider issues a ruling. If the ruling is unfavorable, the employee may choose to appeal the decision with the support of an attorney.