The ABCs of Workers Compensation

The ABCs of Workers Compensation

Workers’ compensation is a unique set of laws in Alabama, with different rules and procedures from general tort law.  As such, workers compensation has developed its own linguistics and phraseology that can be confusing to lawyers who do not emphasize workers’ compensation claims in their practice-more so for injured workers.  In this blog, we will define general terms you will likely hear if a lawsuit has to be filed in your claim for workers’ compensation benefits.

Answer:  The legal document that the employer/insurance company must file in order to get your lawsuit moving. Not everyone will have a lawsuit, but those who do should know this term, because waiting for the defendant to answer often delays a claim. (wc)

Complaint:  The initial filing that starts a lawsuit.  Usually the worker will file this through his attorney, and the defendant will file a response. In some cases, the defendant might actually initiate the suit.

Deposition:  A recorded meeting between you, your lawyer and the lawyer for the defendant. The lawyer is able to ask you questions on a wide variety of topics so they can prepare their case.  Your testimony is taken down by a court reporter and under oath.

Discovery:  The process by which each side gets to ask the other for information pertaining to the case.

Interrogatories: Written questions each side asks each other once a lawsuit has been filed.  Your answers are under oath.

Request for Production: A Request for Production of Documents.  Once a lawsuit has been filed, this is part of the initial discovery process in which the parties request certain documents from each other.

If you were hurt at work and you have questions about your right to Alabama+ Workers Compensation benefits, don’t hesitate to contact and talk to one of the experienced Alabama Workers Compensation Attorneys at Powell and Denny today for a free consultation.  Virtual appointments via Zoom are available to better protect you during the coronavirus pandemic.

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Offices in Birmingham, AL and Huntsville, AL

 

Powell and Denny have been selected as one of the Best Law Firms by U.S. News and World Report for each of the last 7 years, have been selected as one of Birmingham’s Top Lawyers by B-Metro Magazine for the last 3 years, have been selected by The National Advocates as one of the Top 20 Workers’ Compensation Firms (plaintiffs) and Powell and Denny, P.C.-has been selected as one of the “Best of the Best” law firms by The American Registry.

Mr. Denny is AV rated by Martindale Hubbard (the highest rating possible) and Mr. Powell has been rated as Superior by The National Registry

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+ Powell and Denny have successfully represented injured workers from Birmingham, Huntsville, Florence, Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, Athens, Decatur, Town Creek Ardmore, Hartselle, Madison, Toney, Scottsboro, Ft. Payne, New Hope, Guntersville, Albertville, Boaz, Ashville, Anniston, Gadsden, Cullman, Jasper, Gardendale, Morris, Kimberly, Centerpoint, Leeds, Tarrant City, Fairfield, Hueytown, Bessemer, Adger, Tuscaloosa, Cordova, Alabaster, Pelham, Harpersville, Opelika, Phenix City, Montgomery, Clanton, Calera, Enterprise, Monroeville, Mobile, Evergreen and towns and cities in between.

 

 

The ABCs of Workers Compensation