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Virginia Workers' Compensation Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Virginia on
Q: Had an accident at work on a Thursday. Wrote a statement. Boss didn't have me go to doctor or make formal claim.

Work thu small amount of discomfort on Friday. Over the weekend it gets worse. Monday go to doc appointment. And turn in my note. Am I at fault here.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 9, 2024

A Virginia attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for three weeks. No, you aren't at fault. You did the right thing by reporting the accident and seeking a medical evaluation. I hope you are okay, but if you are still in pain or discomfort, and believe you will need further... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Virginia on
Q: I have a workers compensation claim from wrist injury , was wondering if I should have a lawyer during this process

I was evaluated today do I wait and see if a settlement is offered and get a lawyer if I don't agree with the settlement. I'm not sure how all this works and if so am I suing the insurance company or the company I work for?

Gary K. Burger Jr
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answered on May 15, 2024

It's the employer's workers' compensation insurance, not the company itself. However, in some work injury situations there are also third-party claims when someone else acted in a negligent way that caused you to be injured.

As to your first question, you should be seen by...
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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Discrimination, Workers' Compensation and Employment Law for Virginia on
Q: Can I sue my job for wrongful termination

I was injured on the job and I was fired because of it.

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jul 27, 2023

In Virginia, as in many other states, workers' compensation laws generally protect employees from being fired solely because they filed a workers' compensation claim or were injured on the job. Terminating an employee for exercising their rights under workers' compensation laws may... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Libel & Slander and Workers' Compensation for Virginia on
Q: Can an car accident defense attorney subpoena previous/future jobs for medical records? Can the employers refuse?

I was struck by an angry Road rager on January 31st 2020. Of course the road ranger lied in court and pretended that we were both at fault. So the judge, confused, dismiss the case. I appealed, have no attorney, and now we are headed to trial soon. Ironically enough, when I finally found another... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 25, 2022

A Virginia attorney is going to need to advise here, but your post remains open for two weeks. Making the call you are describing is often not a simple thing. Although you contend that the incidents are separate, and they well may be, defense attorneys will typically summon medical records on the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Estate Planning, Family Law and Workers' Compensation for Virginia on
Q: What happens when someone's in the process of getting a divorce by a online divorce site but passes before its processed

My fiancée passed away and he had filed for divorce but he was told he had to send $66 more and then the papers would be mailed out but he passed before he could pay the $66 can i do anything to stop his wife from getting his Medicare set aside assistance because he didn't want her to have... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Oct 21, 2021

She is the widow, and you are not.

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation and Health Care Law for Virginia on
Q: My employer's insurance wants my entire medical record to file my back injury claim. Do I actually have to give that?

I am a healthcare worker who was exposed to an aggressive patient who caused a repetitive stress injury to my back over the course of my shift. I filed an incident report before clocking out and went to the doctor immediately, and due to timely intervention was back to baseline within a few days.... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Feb 3, 2021

I'm sorry about your injury. An experienced workers' comp attorney should answer your question, but it remains open for five weeks. As a GENERAL doctrine of insurance law in virtually any setting, insurance carriers generally have the right to request prior medical/accident records that... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Workers' Compensation for Virginia on
Q: Is my employer (Oregon) supposed to pay out accrued PTO if it is their in the employee handbook? I'm working from VA.

I have given my 2-week notice and will soon be leaving my current job. I have about 40 hours PTO accrued. I am located in Virginia as a remote worker but my employer is in Oregon. Is my employer required to pay out my PTO for my final paycheck? Their employee handbook says that they will pay out... View More

Rhiannon Herbert
Rhiannon Herbert
answered on Sep 30, 2020

Generally, the payment of PTO upon termination will be governed by your employee handbook. If your handbook is up to date and says PTO for individuals who work your job will be paid out upon termination, then you should receive your remaining unpaid PTO upon termination.

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Workers' Compensation and Health Care Law for Virginia on
Q: Got injured at work, accepted and insurance settlement and paid initial bill. Received additional bills, what can I do?

I got injured last year at work (bit by a rabid cat) and received a ~$15k settlement from the customers insurance company. The original bill I received from the hospital was for ~$5k, which I paid. I just got another bill for an additional ~$25k because I do not have health insurance and my... View More

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Mar 12, 2020

I regret that I do not handle personal injury cases. Sorry.

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation for Virginia on
Q: I was injured at work & accepted an insurance settlement. My med bills are more than the settlement, can I do anything?

I was injured at work last year and was originally billed ~$5k, insurance gave me a settlement of ~$15k. I paid the $5k bill online and thought I was done but was then was sent an additional bill for $25k because I do not have health insurance and the $5k bill was only if I had health insurance. My... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 29, 2020

A Virginia attorney is best suited to advise here, but you await a response for three weeks. If you were not represented by a WC attorney, you could contact a Virginia workers' comp attorney to see if they would give you a free, or brief, initial consult to examine your WC file and the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Virginia on
Q: Received lifetime medical for back injury went to doctor 6months after receiving award and doctors office said my case

Was closed reached out to risk management knowone several times and had no success in speaking to any one . What should I do ? I called workers compensation now I'm planning on inform them in writing

Jerry Lutkenhaus
Jerry Lutkenhaus
answered on Sep 22, 2019

You have a lifetime medical award for your injury. However, a doctor must say you “need” medical treatment for your injury. You should review the last medical report from the doctor to see if you were released. If you disagree, then you need to see another doctor to see what that doctor says.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Virginia on
Q: Can I receive full sick leave pay from my employer and workers compensation pay at the same time?
Jerry Lutkenhaus
Jerry Lutkenhaus
answered on Sep 20, 2019

I would think not unless the employer has a program that says sick pay would be used to supplement workers compensation pay which pays only two thirds of your salary. I believe the City of Richmond used to do this in order to make up for the one third that an injured worker loses by going on... View More

4 Answers | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law, Civil Litigation and Workers' Compensation for Virginia on
Q: Are pro se Appellants held to the same standard a licensed attorney in the state of Virginia? I am searching for cases
F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Aug 22, 2019

Pro Se Appellants are help to the same rules of the Court as a licensed attorney.

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1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Virginia on
Q: Can a worker close out a claim if they no longer want to continue with a WC claim. Medical was approved but no money.

I never received money from WC and the injury was almost two months ago 4/25/19. I did receive medical care. I went back to work and now live in a different state. A hearing is scheduled but I cannot afford to return for a hearing or hire a Lawyer. What can I do.

Jerry Lutkenhaus
Jerry Lutkenhaus
answered on Jun 27, 2019

If you are 100% sure you have no residual medical problem from this accident, you can “withdraw” this claim. Be sure you withdraw the claim “wirhout prejudice” which would allow you to re-file it within two (2) years of the date of your accident. You can call the Commission at... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation for Virginia on
Q: If I was sexually assaulted & no one sent me to get checked out but 5yrs later I am now having major issues...

Happened in VA while at work with a client. No one made me get checked out. Therapy and psychiatrist bills due to PTSD were never paid by agency. Now I have had to have neck surgery due to an injury that most likely came from that. Can I file a work man's comp claim? I know it was never... View More

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Jun 23, 2019

I regret that I do not handle workman compensation claims or personal injury matters. Sorry.

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Virginia on
Q: I'm a govt contractor who's company is in PA. Do I need to call the VA workers comp?

I am a contractor and my company is in PA. I fell at work and they use a private company (AIG) for their workers comp. Do I need to also inform the VA workers comp?

Jerry Lutkenhaus
Jerry Lutkenhaus
answered on Jun 18, 2019

Virginia would only have jurisdiction of your case if your company regularly has two or more employees working in Virginia and the accident occurred there. Of course, if you are not an employee, then you are not covered by workers compensation insurance unless you insure yourself.

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Virginia on
Q: Can I file a suit for workers comp injury that happened in 2014?

I did receive care from providers my job sent me to which wasn’t the best treatment. Just recently I was in auto acccident and now I have another concussion, the first was from job in 2014. I am told this one is worst because it’s my second concussion and I may not have fully recovered from first.

Jerry Lutkenhaus
Jerry Lutkenhaus
answered on Feb 8, 2019

You generally have two (2) years from the date of your accident to file a claim for an accident at work with the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission. Sometimes, if your employer never reported the accident to the Commission, then you can use that omission as an excuse and file after the two... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Virginia on
Q: Is it legal for comp liaison for your company to go into your Dr appointments ? Even if you don't want them too ?

The workers comp liaison for my company almost insists to be at my Dr appointments and in the room with Dr and myself. Is it legal ? Do I have to allow it ?

Jerry Lutkenhaus
Jerry Lutkenhaus
answered on Jan 24, 2019

I have been practicing Workers Compensation law in Richmond, VA for over 35 years. I can tell you the nurse case manager who wants to be "push" and come into your examinations is a constant problem in Workers' Compensation cases. You can certainly advise the doctor you want a private... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Virginia on
Q: Can you loose your Lifetime medical award ?
Jerry Lutkenhaus
Jerry Lutkenhaus
answered on Jan 9, 2019

In a way yes, if the authorized doctor says you no longer need medical care for your injury, then that is the effective end of your medical coverage. You can also lose medical care if you refuse medical care that could correct your medical problem. If losing medical care is an issue, you should... View More

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