Workers’ Compensation

When you go to work, you do not expect to end up injured, in the emergency room, or admitted to the hospital. Unfortunately, workplace accidents happen. And when they do, you need an experienced Workers’ Compensation attorney who will help you navigate the Workers’ Compensation system, advocate for your rights, and ensure that you and your family receive the compensation you need.

With offices in Minden and Carson City, Nevada, attorney Natalia Vander Laan and the Vander Laan Law Firm, LLC fight for the rights of injured workers throughout the Carson Valley, in and around Carson City, Gardnerville, and Stateline, Nevada. The Vander Laan Law Firm proudly represents injured workers in Workers' Compensation claims, and fights to protect their rights at every step of the process.

Justice for Injured Workers

Workers’ Compensation applies anytime an employee is injured or suffers a work-related illness in the course and scope of their employment. To be eligible for Worker’s Compensation benefits, the injury does not need to be the result of an accident. Repetitive strain and illness due to exposure to a toxic substance at work can be covered by Workers’ Compensation. However, the injury must be a direct result of the worker’s job and must have been suffered while the worker was performing their job duties.

While the Workers’ Compensation system may seem straightforward, there are filing requirements and deadlines an injured worker must follow. Failure to follow Workers’ Compensation requirements can result in your claim being denied. Working with an experienced Workers’ Compensation attorney can bring you peace of mind, and maximize your financial recovery after a work-related accident or injury.

Common Types of Workplace Injuries

The Nevada Workers’ Compensation system covers workplace injuries that affect injured workers for a few days, to injuries that will affect them for a lifetime. Common workplace injuries include:

• Sprains and strains
• Cuts and abrasions
• Back and neck injuries, including herniated disks and bulging disks
• Head injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Amputation
• Loss of use of a limb
• Depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other psychological illnesses that were caused by an injury
• Torn ligaments
• Burn injuries
• Chemical inhalation
• Smoke inhalation
• Electrical shock
• Repetitive use injuries
• Occupational illnesses

Benefits for Injured Workers

Workers’ Compensation will cover the costs of medical treatment, lost wages due to time missed from work due to your injuries, and disability benefits if you are unable to work for long periods of time. Workers Compensation provides the following categories of benefits for workers who were injured on the job:

• Temporary Total Disability (TTD). Benefits paid to an injured worker who is completely disabled or who has physical restrictions their employer cannot meet. These benefits provide economic support to an injured worker who is unable to work. The payment amount is 66.66% of the employee’s wage and is paid bi-weekly.
• Temporary Partial Disability (TPD). Benefits paid to an injured worker who returns to work but is earning less than their pre-injury wages. TPD is paid at 66.66% of the difference between what the worker earned at the time of the injury and the worker’s current earnings.
• Permanent Partial Disability (PPD). Benefits paid, often in a lump sum, to compensate an injured worker for a permanent impairment that was caused by a work-related injury. PPD payments are calculated based on the worker's age, wages, and percent of disability.
• Vocational Rehabilitation Maintenance. Benefits paid to an injured worker while he or she receives training for a different job. The benefit is in the same amount as TTD payments.
• Vocational Rehabilitation Training. Training available to an injured worker to train to work in another field, consistent with the worker’s physical limitations and educational level. The length of the training program will depend on the percentage of PPD.
• Permanent Total Disability (PTD). Benefits paid when an injured worker is no longer able to work because of a work-related injury. Benefits are usually paid to the injured worker for the rest of their life.

No-Fault Benefits for Workplace Injuries

Private employers in Nevada who employ one or more people are required to carry Workers’ Compensation insurance. If an employee is injured on the job, Workers’ Compensation pays benefits that often include the cost of medical treatment, lost wages, and disability payments. These benefits are provided regardless of fault, which means that the injured worker does not need to prove that their employer was negligent in causing the injury.

Nonetheless, if you were injured on the job, your employer and their insurance company may not treat you fairly. They may deny your claim, request excessive amounts of proof, or delay payments. Your employer can also make your claim more difficult by failing to submit your claim on time or refusing to corroborate your version of the events that led to your workplace injury. But with an experienced Workers’ Compensation attorney on your side, you can level the playing field, protect your rights, and seek justice.

Third-Party Liability for Workplace Injuries

Workers’ Compensation is a no-fault system, which means that the injured worker does not need to prove that the injury was the result of the employer’s negligence. In exchange for this no-fault system, in most cases, workers are prohibited from filing a lawsuit outside of their claim under Workers’ Compensation.

But in certain circumstances, such as if the injury was caused by a third party or if the injured person was not an employee, the injured worker may be able to pursue a third-party claim in addition to benefits under Workers’ Compensation. However, Workers Compensation only covers employees. If an injured worker was an independent contractor, their injuries are not covered by Workers’ Compensation.

An experienced Worker’s Compensation attorney can evaluate your work-related injury to determine whether your injuries are covered under Workers’ Compensation. If they are, an attorney can assist you in recovering the Workers’ Compensation benefits to which you are entitled.

Legal Representation for a Contingency Fee

The Vander Laan Law Firm handles Workers’ Compensation cases on a contingency fee. This means that no fee is owed unless the Vander Laan Law Firm recovers money for you. If there is no recovery, there is no fee.

Attorney Natalia Vander Laan understands the financial burdens that often face injured workers, and she charges a contingency fee. She partners with her clients to assist with their physical, emotional, and financial recovery.

Personal Representation in Carson City

Many Nevada Workers’ Compensation defense attorneys are based in Las Vegas. They frequently attend Workers’ Compensation hearings remotely. Attorney Natalia Vander Laan has offices in both Minden, Nevada and Carson City, and regularly appears at Workers’ Compensation hearings in person. Ms. Vander Laan believes that personal representation is important, and part of her commitment to her clients means being personally invested in and present for their case.

Addressing Your Legal Needs with Compassion and Competence

Carson City and Carson Valley, Nevada Workers’ Compensation attorney Natalia Vander Laan cares deeply about her clients and works hard to help them achieve peace of mind. She is proud to help people who have been injured on the job and fights to protect their rights.

Learn more about what sets the Vander Laan Law Firm apart from other attorneys in Carson Valley, get to know Natalia Vander Laan, and contact the Vander Laan Law Firm today to schedule a consultation to discuss your case.