A recent study about the impact of legal representation on workers' compensation benefits found that having an attorney representing an injured worker increases benefits. 

Jon L. Gelman

The report by the National Bureau of Economic Research discusses the causal effect of attorney involvement on the indemnity benefits workers receive after their injuries. The study found that attorney involvement substantially increases total indemnity benefits paid to workers and increases payments for low- and high-value indemnity benefits.

What does this mean for workers?

This study suggests that workers injured on the job may be more likely to receive the benefits they are entitled to if they have legal representation. Attorneys can help workers navigate the complex workers' compensation system and ensure they receive all their entitlements.

What does this mean for employers?

This study suggests employers can reduce workers' compensation costs by advising injured workers to seek legal representation. This will help them obtain prompt and appropriate medical care, return to work quickly and achieve maximum recovery.

What are the implications of this study?

This study has several implications for workers, employers and policymakers. This study suggests that it is vital for workers to seek legal representation if they are injured on the job. This study indicates that employers can reduce their workers' compensation costs by having their workers receive appropriate medical care promptly. For policymakers, this study suggests that there may be a need to reform the workers' compensation system to ensure that workers receive the benefits they are entitled to without insurance carriers delaying and denying appropriate medical care.

Conclusion

This study found that attorney involvement substantially increases total indemnity benefits paid to workers. This suggests that workers injured on the job may be more likely to receive the benefits they are entitled to if they have legal representation.

Claimants' attorney Jon L. Gelman is the author of "New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Law" and co-author of the national treatise "Modern Workers’ Compensation Law." He is based in Wayne, New Jersey. This blog post is republished with permission.