Workers' compensation is designed to cover you if you are injured on the job. This type of insurance helps to cover your medical expenses, your lost wages, and any permanent disabilities you suffer as a result of your accident. Many workers' compensation cases are pretty straight forward. You cut your finger at work on a knife, you go get stitches, the employer pays for your medical care, and you are back to work in a few days. However, some cases are more complex and may leave you wondering if you should hire a workers' compensation attorney. Here are three signs that you may need to hire a workers' compensation attorney. 

Your Employer Is Not Providing You With Any Workers' Compensation Insurance Information

When you are injured on the job, it is your responsibility to let your employer know about the injuries. They must then provide you with a claim form that must be turned in and submitted to their workers' compensation insurance company. If they refuse to provide you with a claim form or tell you who their insurance carrier is or if they try to prevent you from filing a claim, you should hire a workers' compensation attorney. They can figure out who your employer's insurance carrier is and help you to file your claim. 

Your Workers' Compensation Case Has Been Delayed or Denied

Another sign that you may need to hire a workers' compensation attorney is having a case that is delayed or denied. If the insurance carrier is not accepting your case, you may need help proving the injury happened during the course of your normal employment. You have a limited amount of time to appeal denials, so finding an attorney to help you quickly is important. 

You Are Expected to Have Permanent Injuries or Disfigurement

The final sign that you may want to hire a workers' compensation attorney is that you are expected to have permanent injuries or disfigurement. Permanent injuries entitle you to further compensation at the end of your case. There is no set amount for permanent injuries, so coming to an agreement as to what your injuries are worth can be challenging. An attorney can help fight to maximize the settlement you can get, ensuring you are fairly compensated for these permanent injuries that you will live with for the rest of your life. 

Not every case requires you to hire a workers' compensation attorney. If you have a relatively small injury and the workers' compensation insurance company is providing you with lost wages and medical care, you may not need to hire an attorney. However, if you are not able to get the insurance coverage you need, if your case has bee delayed or denied, or if you are expected to have permanent injuries, hiring an attorney can be extremely beneficial to you. 

To learn more, contact a workers' compensation attorney.