How a work injury could cost you money in the future

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Get Help From our Michigan Workers’ Comp Lawyers Today
You’re not alone. Our Michigan workers’ comp lawyers have been called the best in the state, and we pride ourselves on providing you with care, trust, and responsiveness.

Michigan work injury lawyer explains how proposed changes to the workers comp law could literally take money out of your pocket.

We have blogged before about proposed changes to the workers compensation law.  Certain special interest groups are trying to convince our legislators that work comp reform is needed.

This is really just a money grab and a shifting of costs to the state. When employees cannot get workers comp benefits, they will turn to unemployment and state assistance.

Special interest groups want to change the current law which allows for a reduction of wage loss benefits based upon what a person is able to earn and replace it with a reduction based upon a hypothetical ability to earn.

This change will take away the incentive that employers have to bring employees back to work and will unfairly reduce wage loss benefits based upon a job that may or may not exist. For low wage earning individuals this change will be absolutely devastating.

How the proposed changes could work

Mr. Smith is a 45 year old man who works as a stock person in a retail store. He injured his back while lifting a heavy crate and has permanent restrictions of no lifting over 10 pounds. His employer cannot accommodate his restrictions and tells him to file a workers comp claim.

Mr. Smith was earning 12.00 per hour on a full-time basis. His average weekly wage was $480.00 and his workers comp rate is $301.54 per week.

Mr. Smith has always done physical work and cannot find a job within his restrictions. He asks his employer to be retrained so he can do something else for the company.

A vocational counselor is assigned and it is determined that he could work as a telemarketer earning $16.00 per hour if certain sales goals are met. No such job is actually located and his workers comp rate is reduced to $0.00 based upon his hypothetical ability to earn wages.

The employer and its insurance company then seek recoupment for the weekly benefits they have already paid. Mr. Smith cannot find a lawyer to represent him because his workers comp claim is worthless.

Mr. Smith abandons his workers comp claim and files for unemployment. He is denied unemployment because it is determined that he cannot actually work. He then applies for food stamps and state assistance. Mr. Smith is forced to file bankruptcy and loses his home to foreclosure.

You can stop House Bill No. 5002

Now is the time to call your state legislators and tell them to protect your workers comp rights. Tell them how these changes will cause real hardship in your life. Do not suffer in fear and silence.

We stand ready to help you with your workers comp claims. Call (855) 221-2667 to speak with one of our workers comp lawyers. We will do everything possible to help protect your legal rights.

Alex Berman is the founder of Michigan Workers Comp Lawyers. He’s been representing injured and disabled workers exclusively for more than 35 years.  Alex has helped countless people obtain workers compensation benefits and never charges a fee to evaluate a case.

Related information:

House Bill 5002 (2011)

Find a Michigan House Representative

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons, by danielmoyle.

10/01/2011

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Author Bio Jeffrey Kaufman

Author
Jeffrey E. Kaufman
Michigan Workers Comp Attorney

Jeffrey E. Kaufman has extensive experience in workers compensation cases and has recovered millions of dollars in benefits for his clients. He believes all injured workers deserve to be on equal footing with insurance companies and employers, and fights tenaciously so their rights are secured and protected.


“Jeff also helped me with getting my Blue Cross bills paid. I would absolutely recommend him and the whole firm. Jeff and the firm did everything they were supposed to do for me and my case.”
Ricardo Perfetto

Hundreds of 5-Star Reviews

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Get Help From our Michigan Workers’ Comp Lawyers Today

You’re not alone. Our Michigan workers’ comp lawyers have been called the best in the state, and our clients love how they’re treated with care, respect, and responsiveness. We will give you the time you need, we will explain your legal rights, and we will always treat you with respect.

Our workers’ compensation and Social Security disability lawyers always put your needs first. Get to know your legal team.

Our attorneys post regularly about common issues related to workers’ comp, including common injuries, settlement calculations, laws, and more.

Injured? It’s Time to Get Some Answers

Don’t let the insurance adjuster push you around. Request your free consultation today.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Our attorneys post regularly about common issues related to workers’ comp, including common injuries, settlement calculations, laws, and more.

Our workers’ compensation and Social Security disability lawyers always put your needs first. Get to know your legal team.