Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Denver, CO

Lakewood, Colorado Personal Injury Lawyer Serving Denver, Boulder, and Nearby Areas

It is an unfortunate fact of life that people get injured at work. Some injuries, like a crash of a delivery truck or a slip in the bathroom, happen quickly and unexpectedly. Other injuries take years to develop from the continuous strain of carrying heavy loads or other strenuous activities.

Whatever the case may be, if you’ve been hurt on the job or suffer a disease because of your work exposure over time, workers' compensation provides a system of benefits to help you get back on track.

After suffering a workplace injury, you need to know your rights. Contact the experienced workers’ compensation attorneys at the Frickey Law Firm today online or at 303-237-7373 to discuss your case for free. Our workplace accident attorneys proudly serve clients throughout Colorado, including Denver, Boulder and Lakewood.

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Fighting for Working Coloradans

On this page we discuss:

What Is Workers' Compensation?

Client review | The Frickey Law FirmWorkers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance system mandated by the state of Colorado. It covers compensation, benefits and treatment for workers who are injured, become ill or die while on the job. Because it is a no-fault system, workers’ compensation does not require the determination of fault in an accident. You can’t sue your employer and your employer can’t deny your benefits if the injury is your fault.

However, there are extenuating circumstances to no-fault coverage. For example, benefits will likely be denied if it is proven that you intentionally injured yourself or if you were found to be intoxicated at the time of injury.

Most Common Causes of Work Related Injuries

Some of the most common causes of work related injuries covered under workers’ compensation include:       

  • Overexertion
  • Fall on the same level
  • Fall to lower level
  • Struck by object or equipment
  • Other exertions or bodily reactions
  • Highway accidents
  • Slip and Trip without Falling
  • Caught in/compressed by equipment or objects
  • Struck against object or equipment
  • Repetitive motion injuries
workplace accident attorney - The Frickey Law Firm's workplace injury Infographic

Occupational Diseases

An occupational illness can be something that develops over a long period of time or instantly after a particular incident. Regardless of how quickly it develops, to be considered an occupational disease it must be directly caused by the work you are doing or the conditions you’re doing it in. That means pre-existing conditions, ailments, or illnesses do not qualify, even if they are further exacerbated by the work or work environment.

Some of the most common occupational diseases include:

  • Tennis elbow/golfer’s elbow
  • Hearing loss
  • Asthma
  • Carpal tunnel
  • Computer vision syndrome
  • Lead poisoning
  • Sun poisoning
  • Lung diseases (black lung, cancer, byssinosis, etc.)
  • Skin diseases (eczema, skin cancer, etc.)
  • Reproductive disorders (caused by exposure to toxic substances)

Remember that your employer and their insurance company will do whatever they can to assert that your condition was not caused by your work and that, as a result, they are not liable for your condition. The severity of occupational diseases ranges from mild to life-threatening, making it crucial to file a claim as quickly as possible. Contact the Frickey Law Firm to speak with a workplace accident lawyer, today to learn more about your rights and options in these situations. Your initial, no-obligation consultation is completely free of charge.

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Work-Related Car Accidents

Work related accidents aren’t relegated to the job site or office. Many people are injured every day driving cars as a part of their job. If you’ve been hurt in a car accident related to work, you may be entitled to workers' compensation. In addition to work comp benefits, you may be entitled to other damages depending on the nature of your accident. You need an experienced lawyer to determine what damages you are entitled to.

Call the experienced workers’ comp lawyers at the Frickey Law Firm today if you’ve been involved in a work-related car accident. Typically, you will be eligible for workers' compensation even if the accident was your fault. Our lawyers have experience covering drivers performing a wide array of functions including:

  • Taxi drivers
  • UPS/FedEx/USPS drivers
  • Couriers
  • Commercial truck drivers
  • Bicycle couriers

rear end accident with car and truckThere are some circumstances where you will not be eligible for workers' compensation in the event of a work related car accident. These circumstances include:

  • Driving under the influence
  • Injuring yourself while engaging in horseplay with another employee
  • When you were performing a non-work related function in your vehicle
  • Intentionally injuring another person or yourself

You may also have to fight with the insurance company over what compensation you deserve. The insurance company may try and push you back into work before you are ready. In the event of a dispute with the insurance company after a work related car accident, we will consult our own medical experts to ensure you return to work only when necessary and that you get the compensation you deserve.

Work related car accidents happen all the time but no two accidents are the same. That is why you need an experienced car accident lawyer working for you to make sure you receive the proper compensation for your injuries.

Can I Sue My Employer?

Colorado prohibits injured workers from suing their employer in exchange for workers' comp benefits. No matter how negligent your employer has acted, you cannot sue them after a workplace injury. However, you can sue third parties whose negligence caused your injury.

For example, if you work in a mine and you were injured in a drilling accident you cannot sue your employer for putting you in a dangerous situation. But if a third party operated the drill and they didn’t take enough care in drilling safely you can sue that third party for compensation for your injuries.

Third-party liability is common in construction accidents. Construction and mining operations often involve multiple contractors working together. If a negligent third party caused your accident, you may be entitled to compensation.

Our experienced workplace accident attorneys and workers' compensation lawyers understand the relationship between all of the contractors and determine which parties were negligent and which contractors you can receive compensation from.

See What Our Clients Say About Us...

"The people at Frickey were wonderful to work with. From the first meeting ,they were understanding and concerned with my case. Once I decided to go with them they went to work on my case. The company they had to deal with was a bit difficult to say the least. It took a while to bring my case to an end but they kept me informed all the way. So if get your hurt at work an need help I would strongly advise you to have the Frickey law firm take a look at your case to see if they can help. They did a wonderful job for me." - Patrick U

"The Frickey Law firm was there when I needed them most. They are more than a law firm, they are like family to me. At the end of a very long and painful ordeal, the Frickey Law Firm got me top dollar. I cannot say enough about this firm. They treated me with kindness, made me feel like family, and took excellent care of me in every way." - J.R.

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Why Contact an Attorney after a Workplace Accident?

Most workplaces are very safe places. But sometimes, accidents happen on the job and the damage can last a lifetime. Following a workplace injury, you may find yourself wondering where to turn. You need an experienced workplace injury lawyer to ensure you receive the justice you deserve. You might be entitled to more than just workers' compensation benefits.

construction worker collapsed on floor next to power drillDepending on the nature of your accident, you may be entitled to benefits beyond workers' compensation. Some factors that might allow you recover additional compensation include:

  • Egregious or negligent behavior by your employer
  • Whether your employer carries workers' compensation insurance
  • Injuries caused by defective products
  • Exposure to toxic substances
  • Injuries caused by a third party

All of the above circumstances can lead you recover additional compensation from your employer or a third party. Our workplace injury lawyers can deal with all of your various claims so you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery. In the event of a fatal workplace injury, our lawyers will make sure your family has the financial support to recover after a tragic accident.

No matter how big or small your injury is, our team of experienced lawyers is here to fight for your rights. We will make sure you have the resources you need to recover some quality of life after your workplace accident.

Learn more about workplace injuries in our blog

Filing Workers' Comp Claims

Work injury checklist infographicThe moments immediately following a workplace injury can confusing and hectic, but the actions you take during this time are important. If you’ve been hurt on the job, you should:

  1. Seek emergency care, if necessary: If the injury is life threatening, get emergency care right away and start the processes described below as soon as possible. The same is true if your injury happens when you are outside of your normal workplace but still on the job.
  2. Notify your supervisor: If your injury is less severe, report it to your supervisor and request medical treatment. If your employer has a designated health care provider, you will have to visit that provider for treatment. In fact, your employer has to give you the option of at least two health care providers to see.
  3. Get medical treatment: If your employer doesn’t have a list of approved health care providers, you can see a qualified care provider of your choice. If you’re provided a list, you must use one of those primary physicians or else you could be responsible for the costs. If you’re not happy with that doctor, you have 90 days in which to file to request a see a different provider.
  4. Submit a report to your employer: Be sure to write up a report about the injury or illness and submit it to your supervisor or HR department within four days of the incident. Your employer may have a form for you to use. Your report should include details on how, when, and where the accident occurred and specifics about the injury and symptoms. Keep a copy.
  5. File a workers’ comp claim: Next you should file a workers’ comp claim with the Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation (DOWC). Your employer or the insurer may tell you that you don’t need to file—that everything is taken care of when the employer reports the incident. It’s best that you file to help ensure that your coverage will extend as long as necessary. If not, your benefits may expire after two years even if you’re still receiving care.
    If you develop a work-related condition, like carpal tunnel syndrome, the process is the same. Even though it’s not possible to pinpoint an exact injury date, be sure to note the time frame that likely caused the condition.
  6. Contact the Frickey Law Firm: As with most cases involving insurance companies, you may have to fight to get what you deserve. You might not be advised of all your rights and benefits, and you must meet deadlines and supply certain information. Contacting our workers’ compensation attorneys can be a smart decision so you have legal clout on as you recover from a workplace injury.

Changing Doctors

lawyer with spinal injury modelOne of the most important aspects of a workplace injury is the doctor your employer assigns to you. You must see the doctor assigned to you by your employer to be eligible for workers' compensation benefits.

But how do you know your employer’s doctor has your recovery as their number one priority? Your employer’s doctor may be biased towards your employer and not provide you the care you need to make a proper recovery. Luckily, there are ways to combat this issue through the workers' compensation system.

If you suspect your employer’s doctor is not providing you the proper care you need, you may be able to switch doctors. Recent changes in the workers' compensation system make it possible for you to switch doctors under certain circumstances.

Our experienced workplace injury attorneys will be able to determine whether or not you have the right to change doctors if you are unhappy with the medical care you have received from your employer’s doctor. As respected and experienced workplace accident lawyers, our priority is for you to get better and get back to work so you can provide for your family.

How Long Do Employees Have to File a Claim for Workers' Compensation?

If you are an employee who experiences an accident that causes injury while on the job, you have 30 days from the date the accident occurred to report your injury. If you miss this deadline, you may decrease your chances of filing a workers’ compensation claim. Once you report your injury to your employer, it becomes their responsibility to report to your state’s local Office of Workers’ Compensation.

What Do I Do If I Have Been Injured At Work?

If you are wondering exactly what to do in case an accident occurs while you’re on the clock, read our step-by-step breakdown below:

  1. Ensure the injury gets treated immediately. If you or someone you work with suffers from a serious injury due to an accident at work, call 911 or notify medical staff immediately.
  2. Once the injury is taken care of, gather evidence. Take photos of the accident location or a photo of your injury if possible. Write down details of how the accident occurred. Speak to any co-workers or colleagues who may have also witnessed the accident happening.
  3. Be sure to report the accident to your employer within 30 days of when it occurred.
  4. Get a copy of the accident report.
  5. Ensure your employer files a claim with your workers’ compensation insurance.
  6. If you go to the hospital or require medical attention, keep a record of bills, costs, and receipts.

Can Wrongful Death Occur While an Employee Is On the Job? Is That Considered Workers' Compensation?

Unfortunately, many workplace accidents can lead to fatal tragedies, but thankfully, workers’ compensation is designed to benefit those who suffer loss from these accidents. In cases like these, workers’ compensation typically is still given, but instead of going to the employee, it will go to their families or next of kin in the event of their death.

Denial of Workers' Compensation Claims

Undocumented workers' rightsEven though you’ve gone through all the steps to report a workplace injury and file a workers’ compensation claim, that claim may be denied by the insurance company. Remember, it’s the insurance company reviewing and deciding on these cases, not the State of Colorado. A denial might be a delaying tactic. Sometimes, portions of the claim may be denied—allowing for medical coverage but not loss of income.

Initially, it can’t hurt to check with the insurance company to see if the denial was issued just on the basis of incomplete information. More often than not, though, the reasons for denial or partial payment are more significant, such as:

  • No medical proof or support for the claimed injury
  • Incorrect classification of an injury
  • Medical diagnosis was not from an authorized healthcare provider
  • Information was not submitted on time by the injured party
  • Employee had a pre-existing health condition
  • Injury is not work-related
  • Injury is minor

In the appeals process, the burden is on the victim to introduce new information that disproves these accusations. This new information must be presented in the right way and in the right settings. While you’re not required to have a lawyer represent you at the various stages of the hearing and review process described below, very few have the knowledge and experience to successfully represent themselves in these bureaucratic settings, places that insurance company attorneys work in every day.

The good news is that if you have a legitimate workers’ compensation claim, and follow all the right steps on your initial filing and later appeals, there is a good chance that the workers’ comp system will serve you as it is intended. The Frickey Law Firm has extensive experience helping victims of workplace accidents who were wrongfully denied compensation to appeal their denial and receive the benefits they are entitled to.

Schedule Your Complimentary Consultation Today

If you’ve been hurt while on the job, you need an experienced, proven team in your corner. Contact the accomplished workers’ compensation attorneys at the Frickey Law Firm today to discuss your case for free! Click here to send us an email contact form, or call 303-237-7373 to reach our office. We proudly serve clients throughout Colorado, including Denver, Boulder and Lakewood.