New Orleans Termination of Benefits Lawyer
Workers’ compensation benefits are a lifeline for injured workers. Without these benefits, their condition might worsen, and they can struggle to support themselves and their families financially. For some, their benefits are the only income coming through the door, and without them they might lose the roof over their head.
Unfortunately, insurance companies focused on the bottom line are constantly looking for reasons to terminate benefits. They often rely on second medical opinions, conflicting medical evidence, or frivolous claims of worker misconduct to quickly cut a worker loose. There is a right way to respond: contact a New Orleans termination of benefits lawyer at Lunsford Baskin & Priebe today. We will review your case in a free consultation and immediately get to work defending your right to benefits.
What to Do if Your Benefits are Terminated
It’s a little-known fact that workers’ compensation insurers can legally terminate benefits without needing any approval, not even from the Louisiana Office of Workers’ Compensation. They can cut off either medical benefits or indemnity (lost wages) benefits with the snap of a finger—even if you are receiving treatment from a doctor for your injuries.
What can you do?
First, you should analyze the reason given for terminating benefits. Typically, the insurer claims they are terminating the benefits because:
- Your condition has improved, and a doctor has given the green light for you to return to work.
- You refused treatment unreasonably.
- You miss medical appointments and aren’t trying to get better.
- You provided false information to an insurer.
Alarmingly, workers’ compensation insurers are aggressive at terminating benefits. They might rely on a second medical opinion authored by a company doctor which states you can return to work! Your own physician might disagree, but the insurer cuts benefits anyway.
Second, contact a New Orleans termination of benefits lawyer to review your case. We might take any of the following actions:
- Negotiate a reinstatement of benefits with the insurer
- Request an examination by a third-party doctor (Independent Medical Exam) to rebut the claim you are well enough to work
- Submit a Disputed Claim for Compensation form with the appropriate office
We will also continue to collect medical evidence that shows the full extent of your injuries. It is possible to march into court and convince a judge to reinstate your benefits, which might be the step we end up taking.
The process for disputing a termination is confusing. Many injured workers are overwhelmed simply trying to improve their condition and manage pain, so they don’t know what to do. Let us do the heavy lifting for you.
Contact Lunsford Baskin & Priebe
Our legal team stands ready to fight to get your benefits reinstated. Often, the best defense is a good offense. By hiring a lawyer right away, you might prevent an insurer from terminating benefits in the first place because they know you have an experienced legal advocate who can push back.
To get started, call us to speak with a New Orleans termination of benefits lawyer today.
