What is an “ALJ” in My Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Case? The Role of Administrative Law Judges in Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Cases Explained
The truth about workers’ compensation cases in Mississippi is that while some workers’ compensation claims are granted upon application, many claims are denied and must go through the Mississippi workers’ compensation appeal process. During this process, injured Mississippi workers may be surprised to find out that they may be required to attend a hearing before an “ALJ” (or “AJ”), which is a Mississippi workers’ compensation administrative law judge. But what exactly is the role of an administrative law judge in a Mississippi workers’ compensation case, and what will happen in a Mississippi workers’ compensation case after a hearing before a judge? We answer those questions here.
Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Administrative Law Judges – Who they Are and What they Do
Under the Mississippi workers’ compensation system, cases that must be “litigated” or “tried” to determine worker benefits eligibility are not done so in a court of law, like a personal injury or criminal case, but rather at the administrative level before an administrative law judge or administrative judge. Like civil and criminal law judges, who are employees of the court, workers’ compensation administrative law judges in Mississippi are employees of the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission. A maximum of eight Mississippi workers’ compensation administrative law judges are employed by the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission to oversee and make determinations about Mississippi workers’ compensation claims.
The role of a Mississippi workers’ compensation administrative law judge is not unlike that of a civil or criminal law judge. A Mississippi workers’ compensation administrative law judge presides over hearings, evaluates the evidence before them, analyzes the facts and interprets Mississippi workers’ compensation laws, and issues decisions regarding the injured workers’ workers’ compensation claim. A Mississippi workers’ compensation administrative law judge issues determinations, or “orders”, which is the ultimate outcome of the case, based on their determination.
Help with Your Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge
If you were injured in a workplace accident and are now faced with a Mississippi workers’ compensation hearing in front of a Mississippi workers’ compensation administrative law judge, it is important to speak with an experienced Mississippi workers’ compensation lawyer about your case. A hearing before an administrative law judge can steer the direction of your Mississippi workers’ compensation claim, so it is important to know your rights and options and to plan and strategize accordingly. The experienced Mississippi workers’ compensation lawyers at the law firm Lunsford Baskin & Priebe help injured Mississippi workers with their claims before the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission, including hearings or other required appearances before a Mississippi workers’ compensation administrative law judge. The Mississippi workers’ compensation lawyers at Lunsford Baskin & Priebe also provide a free and confidential consultation to learn about your case and to see if they can help you get Mississippi workers’ compensation benefits due to you. Contact the experienced Mississippi workers’ compensation lawyers at Lunsford Baskin & Priebe today and speak with an experienced Mississippi workers’ compensation lawyer for free.
