If you are injured on your job in a workplace accident, it is often necessary to consult an attorney. This is especially the case if you have a severe injury that costs you your job or has resulted in a permanent impairment. You need to consult an attorney if the following occurs:

1. If the claims adjuster calls you and wants to take a recorded statement, you should consult a lawyer.

2. If you have suffered a number of injuries in your accident and the claims adjuster sends you an agreement form that does not cover all your injuries, you need to consult a lawyer.

3. If your claim is denied by the claims adjuster, you need to consult an attorney.

4. If the claims adjuster has filed a request for a hearing with the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission, then you need to consult an attorney.

5. If you are sent interrogatories, then you need to consult an attorney.

6. If you are offered a settlement, you need to consult an attorney.

7. If you discover you are being video taped by a private detective, you need to consult an attorney.

8. If the claims adjuster refuses payment of a medical bill you incurred as a result of your accident, then you need to consult an attorney.

9. If the claims adjuster refuses to authorize reasonable and necessary medical treatment, then it may be necessary to consult an attorney.

10. If you did your own hearing and lost, you need to consult an attorney regarding an appeal but please consult the attorney before the hearing.

Finally, claimants need to be aware that attorneys specialize like doctors. Thus, one should not just consult any attorney but preferably consult one who specializes in workers compensation law.

This may be considered AN ADVERTISEMENT or Advertising Material under the Rules of Professional Conduct governing lawyers in Virginia. This note is designed for general information only. The information presented in this note should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.

Jerry Lutkenhaus

Gerald G. Lutkenhaus, Attorney at Law, in Central Virginia. In the July 1999 issue of Richmond Magazine he was recognized as the Best Attorney for Workers Compensation in Central Virginia. In 2003 he received Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating of AV. In 2005 and 2006, he was selected by Lexis Nexis to be in the 2005 and 2006 editions of the Bar Register of Preeminent Attorneys. He has been representing Workers Compensation Claimants and Social Security Disability Claimants in Central Virginia for more than 30 years.