A workplace injury changes things fast. What started as an ordinary shift can end with a visit to the emergency room, weeks of missed work, and a stack of paperwork from your employer’s insurance company that you’re expected to navigate on your own. Virginia’s workers’ compensation system is designed to protect injured employees—but it doesn’t always work that way in practice. Inman & Strickler has helped workers throughout Norfolk and the Hampton Roads region secure the benefits they’re entitled to.
Virginia’s workers’ compensation system provides benefits to employees who are injured on the job or who develop an occupational illness as a result of their work. These benefits can include coverage for medical treatment, a portion of lost wages during recovery, and compensation for permanent impairment when applicable.
Most employers in Virginia with three or more employees are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. If you are injured at work, you generally do not need to prove that your employer was at fault—the system is designed to provide benefits regardless of fault in most circumstances. However, claims are frequently delayed, underpaid, or denied, and navigating the system without guidance can cost you significantly.
Norfolk’s economy includes a significant maritime and port sector, construction, healthcare, retail, and government and military contracting. Each of these industries carries its own injury risks. We handle claims involving falls from heights, forklift and equipment accidents, repetitive stress injuries, exposure to hazardous materials, back and spine injuries from heavy lifting, and injuries sustained during transportation or delivery work.
Port and maritime workers face particular hazards and may have claims under both Virginia workers’ compensation law and federal maritime statutes, including the Jones Act. The interplay between these systems requires careful analysis to make sure injured workers pursue the right claims and maximize their recovery.
Employers and their insurers dispute workers’ compensation claims more often than most injured workers expect. Common reasons for denial include arguments that the injury didn’t happen at work, that it was pre-existing, or that the worker failed to report it within the required timeframe. These disputes go before the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission, where having experienced representation makes a real difference.
Our attorneys understand the procedural requirements of the Commission and know how to build the documentation needed to support your claim. We also evaluate whether a third-party personal injury claim exists alongside your workers’ compensation case—for example, when defective equipment or the negligence of a contractor caused your injury.
Report your injury to your employer as soon as possible. Virginia has strict deadlines for reporting workplace injuries, and missing them can jeopardize your claim. Seek medical attention promptly and keep records of all treatment, communications, and out-of-pocket expenses. Then contact an attorney before signing anything from the insurance company.
You shouldn’t have to fight for benefits you’re legally entitled to while you’re trying to recover from an injury. Call Inman & Strickler today or reach out online to discuss your situation and understand your options.
