High Point Foot and Ankle Injury Lawyer

The workers’ compensation system of North Carolina is one of the most robust workers’ compensation systems in the country. Almost every private employer in the state is legally required to have workers’ compensation insurance, and this insurance provides legal protection to both injured employees and their employers. A foot or ankle injury can be incredibly painful and debilitating, and if you recently suffered this type of injury while working in the High Point area, you need legal counsel you can trust to maximize your recovery efforts.

Experienced Legal Representation for Foot and Ankle Injury Claims in High Point

M. Reid Acree, Jr., is an experienced High Point foot and ankle injury attorney ready to provide the comprehensive and compassionate legal counsel you need for this difficult type of case. Our firm has successfully represented many injured clients throughout the High Point area, and we can leverage this experience on your behalf. Many injured workers experience unexpected complications with their work injury claims, and when a victim has grounds for a personal injury claim, they have the best chance of recovering as fully as possible when they have legal counsel they can trust.

Benefits of Hiring a High Point Foot and Ankle Injury Attorney

While it’s possible to attempt your recovery efforts on your own, do not make the mistake of assuming this is a more financially advantageous option after a foot and ankle injury. Many injured workers in High Point mistakenly believe that the cost of their legal representation would overshadow any potential recovery they could obtain, but this isn’t true when you hire a High Point foot and ankle injury attorney offering contingency fee billing. When you choose M. Reid Acree Jr. to handle your case, you only pay a fee once you win compensation, and your fee is a percentage of the final case award.

Your attorney will not only make every phase of your legal proceedings easier to manage but also increase your chances of maximizing the total compensation you obtain for your damages. Whether you were injured at work and face a complex series of legal matters with your employer and their insurance carrier, or you are preparing for a standalone personal injury claim, you have the best chance of securing the maximum compensation allowable under North Carolina law when you have a dedicated legal advocate on your side.

Ultimately, attempting to manage a workers’ compensation claim and/or personal injury claim on your own while also dealing with your medical needs all at once would be incredibly difficult. So instead, have M. Reid Acree, Jr., and his team act as your legal representatives and guide you through these proceedings with efficiency and confidence.

Complications Common With Foot and Ankle Injuries

While a foot or ankle injury may not be life-threatening, these injuries can be some of the most debilitating injuries anyone can suffer. In the workplace, foot, and ankle injuries might occur from slip and fall accidents, crushing injuries, and other hazards. These injuries may also occur from motor vehicle accidents and slip and fall incidents on private property, prompting personal injury claims. However a foot or ankle injury happens, the victim is likely to face a host of short and long-term medical complications.

Bone fractures and crushing injuries can require surgical treatment, such as the placement of steel pins and plates to rebuild the structure of the foot and/or ankle. In severe cases, amputation may be necessary, requiring the victim to use a prosthetic and adjust to the diminished ability to walk. Repetitive stress injuries can also affect the feet and ankles, and if such an injury manifests from the victim’s work duties, they still have the right to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits.

Many foot and ankle injuries not only interfere with walking, lifting, and carrying heavy objects in the immediate aftermath but also pose a risk of long-term chronic pain or permanent disability. In addition, these injuries often require ongoing rehabilitation, and some victims will require consistent restorative treatment to fully recover.

Filing for Workers’ Compensation Benefits After a Foot or Ankle Injury in High Point

If you were injured while working in the High Point area, it is very likely that your employer is legally required to have workers’ compensation insurance. When a workplace injury happens, the injured worker can file a workers’ compensation claim to recover medical expenses and disability benefits for the time they are unable to work in recovery. Any foot or ankle injury while working has the potential to cause long-term or permanent harm, and it is possible that you could be unable to work for an extended period while you recover. Therefore, it’s vital to have legal counsel you can trust if you want to maximize your compensation through the workers’ compensation claim process.

After an injury at work, you should notify your employer immediately and request the materials needed to file your claim. You can see any doctor when you need emergency care, but after your condition stabilizes, you will likely need to visit a physician approved by your employer’s insurance carrier. This workers’ compensation doctor will review your injury and assign you a disability rating that will have a strong bearing on the scope of benefits you are eligible to receive. If you disagree with the physician’s assessment of your injury for any reason, your High Point foot and ankle injury attorney can help you obtain a second opinion from a different doctor.

Once you complete your medical evaluation and have all the materials needed to file your claim, the process is similar to any other insurance claim. Your employer’s insurance carrier will review the details of your claim and, once approved, issue a determination of benefits. If any disputes arise regarding the insurance company’s handling of your claim, you will need reliable legal representation to assist you in resolving them.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits in High Point Injury Cases

If you are approved for workers’ compensation benefits for your foot and ankle injury, you will likely qualify for two forms of compensation. First, the insurance carrier will pay for all the medical treatment you require to reach maximum recovery from your injury. This includes both immediate and future medical expenses resulting from the injury. Second, you will receive ongoing disability benefits while you recover.

If you are able to handle light duty or alternate job duties that do not pay as much as your previous position, the insurance company may award your partial disability benefits that help make up the difference in your earnings. If you are completely unable to work during recovery, you can typically expect weekly benefits paid at a rate of about two-thirds of your average weekly wage for the year prior to your injury. There is a 500-week cap on weekly disability benefits unless the injured worker can prove they qualify for more expansive disability benefits.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim for a Foot or Ankle Injury

You typically cannot file a civil suit against your employer in response to an injury suffered while working. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, if your employer does not have appropriate insurance coverage, they are not only liable for your damages but also face penalties from the state. If a third party caused your work injury, you would have the right to file a claim for workers’ compensation since the injury happened while you were working, but you could also file a third-party personal injury claim against them to recover outstanding losses.

Success with your personal injury case requires proving the party responsible for your injury caused the injury through intentional misconduct or some form of negligence. Your High Point foot and ankle injury attorney will be instrumental in gathering the evidence needed to prove liability for the injury and establish the full scope of the damages the defendant caused with their actions. In North Carolina, the plaintiff in a personal injury case has the right to seek full repayment of all their economic losses along with pain and suffering compensation.

M. Reid Acree, Jr., has the professional skills and resources you need behind you as you seek compensation for your recent foot or ankle injury. Whether you need to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits, a personal injury claim, or both in response to your injury, our team is prepared to guide you through each stage of your recovery efforts with ongoing reassurance and support.

FAQs

Q: How Much Can I Recover in Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

A: If your foot or ankle injury happened while you were working in High Point, you are likely able to recover full compensation for all the medical expenses you face from the injury as well as a portion of your lost income until you are able to resume your job. Your High Point foot and ankle injury attorney can help you maximize your recovery, guiding you through the workers’ compensation claim process as efficiently as possible and addressing any disputes that arise with your claim.

Q: How Much Can I Claim in Pain and Suffering Compensation?

A: Any foot or ankle injury has the potential to be very painful and debilitating, and many of these injuries result in long-term or permanent complications. If you have grounds to file a third-party personal injury case alongside your workers’ compensation claim, or if you are filing a standalone personal injury claim for your injury, the pain and suffering compensation you secure could form the largest portion of your total recovery. Your High Point foot and ankle injury attorney can assist you in calculating a reasonable amount of compensation to seek for your pain and suffering.

Q: Do I Really Need to Hire a Lawyer for a Foot or Ankle Injury Claim?

A: You are not required by law to hire legal counsel after a foot or ankle injury in High Point, but doing so will make every aspect of your recovery process easier to manage and more likely to yield positive results. Your attorney can streamline the process of filing your workers’ compensation claim if applicable. If you have grounds for a personal injury claim of any kind, your attorney can potentially reveal channels of compensation you may have overlooked had you tried to handle your case on your own. Ultimately, you have the best chance of maximizing your final compensation when you have legal counsel you can trust.

Q: What Happens if a Foot or Ankle Injury Results in Permanent Disability?

A: If you suffered any permanently disabling foot or ankle injury at work that prevented you from resuming your previous job duties, you could qualify to receive permanent disability benefits. It’s also possible that you could qualify for partial disability benefits if you are able to handle light duty and/or alternative job duties. If you are filing a personal injury claim in response to a permanently disabling foot or ankle injury, the defendant could be held liable for the future income you are no longer able to earn and substantial pain and suffering compensation to reflect the severity of your condition after the injury.

Q: How Much Does a High Point Foot and Ankle Injury Attorney Cost to Hire?

A: M. Reid Acree, Jr., understands that you may be hesitant about the potential cost of legal representation when you need an attorney after a foot or ankle injury in High Point. Our firm provides legal representation in these cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you only pay a fee after we win compensation on your behalf, and the fee you pay is a percentage of your total case award. This ensures there is no financial risk to you by hiring our team to assist with your recovery.

M. Reid Acree, Jr., has many years of experience representing injured clients in High Point and surrounding communities. Our firm takes time to address each client’s individual needs and concerns when it comes to recovering from their injuries, and we know how stressful and debilitating any foot or ankle injury can be. If you are struggling in the aftermath of a foot or ankle injury you sustained at work or due to the negligence or misconduct of any other party, we can help. Contact M. Reid Acree, Jr., today and schedule a free consultation with a High Point foot and ankle injury attorney you can trust.