Southern Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
If you are injured on the job, it’s likely you are busy focusing on your health so you can get back to work. You are going to all of the doctor’s appointments and taking your medications so that you can go back to work as soon as possible.
Rarely do you worry about your health insurance. You hand your card over for every visit and don’t think twice about it. Your bills start to come in, and before you know it, you may be hit with a Notice of Intent to Discontinue (NOID) your workers’ compensation benefits.
What is a Notice of Intent To Discontinue your workers’ compensation benefits?
A Notice of Intent to Discontinue your worker’s compensation benefits, otherwise known as NOID, can be heart-wrenching. You may fear losing your benefits and even your job through this time. Financially, you may not be able to survive your medical bills, as well as your normal bills, through this difficult time.
When you receive your NOID, according to Minnesota Rule part 5220.2630, there are many parts that must be included. Your name and information must be included, as well as the date of injury and claim number. They will need to outline which benefits are being discontinued and the reason why.
An effective date for the discontinuation must be included, along with a list of the benefits that were already paid. There will also be instructions that tell you who to contact if you need more information, along with information on how to schedule a hearing. Copies of any medical reports and other relevant documents must be included.
Why would you get a NOID?
Many insurance companies will do whatever they can to get your benefits dropped. They will look into every possible reason for your injury – that you got hurt somewhere else, your injury was temporary, or that you aren’t as limited as your doctor’s restrictions, meaning that you could still be working. Other reasons could be that you returned to work with or without a wage loss, or you have reached 90 days beyond your Maximum Medical Improvement.
You may be sent for several “second opinions” to figure out how to get you back to work as quickly as possible (or to find reasons to drop your coverage). These “independent medical exams” often are not very independent and are used to end your benefits. If an IME is set up for you, you should contact a workers compensation attorney.
Here are some reasons why you need a lawyer.
Time is of the essence.
If you don’t want to lose your benefits, you have to act quickly. You only have a few weeks to make sure that you don’t lose your workers’ compensation benefits so it is important that you find a lawyer immediately so that you can take action right away.
Financially, you are going to need your benefits.
Most people can’t live months without a paycheck, especially with medical bills piling up. For this reason alone, you need to fight for the compensation that you deserve.
You will need someone to represent you when you stand in front of the workers’ compensation judge.
You will have a chance to talk to a judge about your case. The judge will issue a preliminary decision within a few weeks of the NOID. Having an attorney at this first conference may help you keep getting your benefits until a hearing before a different judge. At that time, you will get a full trial and a having lawyer would greatly help your chances of success.
To make the most of the little time that you get before a judge, it is important that you receive guidance from your lawyer so that you are you understand the issues and are prepared to give your testimony.
If you received a Notice of Intent to Discontinue your worker’s compensation benefits, you need to contact a lawyer right away. You need someone on your side to make sure that you get the compensation that you deserve so that you can take care of yourself, without worrying about paying the bills.
Contact Harvey & Carpenter Today – A Southern Minnesota Law Firm
Contact us if you have been hurt at work or are disabled from working. If you believe that your benefits were discontinued and they shouldn’t have, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will help you get the benefits that you deserve.