New Mexico Workers' Comp
It Can Be Important to Talk to a Licensed Lawyer Early About a New Mexico Workers' Compensation Claim
New Mexico workers' compensation claims can become more difficult after important decisions have already been made and after certain facts have developed.
Medical reports, recorded statements, return-to-work choices, and deadlines are just some of the things that can affect a claim.
Talking to a lawyer early may help an injured worker understand:
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What the insurers are fighting or may fight later;
- Which benefits may be at risk;
- What benefits may be owed;
- What stage the claim has reached; and
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Whether a law firm may be able to take over the legal work.
How a Licensed New Mexico Lawyer can Help
Employers and insurance companies handling New Mexico workers' compensation claims often have other professionals helping them evaluate and defend claims.
An injured worker may not have similar assistance at the beginning of the case. It is also likely that the injured worker is learning about the New Mexico workers' compensation system for the first time as the claim develops.
A lawyer experienced with New Mexico workers' compensation claims understands the importance of medical records, injured worker statements, witness statements, claim notices, return-to-work decisions, mediation, hearings, evidence, testimony, and legal arguments.
Simply put, an experienced lawyer can help level the playing field for injured workers pursuing workers' compensation benefits in New Mexico.
When a New Mexico Workers' Compensation Claim Becomes Difficult or Disputed
Talking with a lawyer who has experience with New Mexico workers' compensation claims may be important when:
- A New Mexico workers' compensation claim has been denied;
- Workers' compensation benefits have stopped, been delayed, or been underpaid;
- Temporary Total Disability benefits have been denied;
- Medical treatment has been delayed, denied, or not authorized;
- There is a dispute over whether treatment is reasonable and necessary;
- There are problems with the authorized health care provider;
- There is a dispute over changing workers' compensation doctors;
- There is an Independent Medical Examination dispute;
- Work restrictions are being ignored by the employer;
- There is pressure to return to work too soon;
- Light-duty work is outside medical restrictions;
- Benefits have stopped after a return-to-work offer;
- There is a Maximum Medical Improvement dispute;
- There is an impairment rating dispute;
- Permanent Partial Disability benefits are disputed;
- Permanent Total Disability claims have been denied;
- The average weekly wage or compensation rate is incorrect;
- There is a dispute over whether the injury was work-related;
- There is a preexisting condition or medical causation dispute;
- There is a late notice or accident-reporting dispute;
- A workers' compensation complaint has been filed with the WCA;
- New Mexico workers' compensation mediation has been scheduled;
- A hearing has been set before a New Mexico Workers' Compensation Judge;
- There is a workers' compensation settlement dispute;
- There is a lump-sum settlement dispute;
- The claim involves an uninsured employer; or
- There is a New Mexico workers' compensation death benefit dispute.
New Mexico Workers' Compensation Claims Can Have Many Disputed Issues
Some of the possible issues that can arise in a New Mexico workers' compensation claim include:
- Workers' compensation benefits stopped, delayed, or underpaid;
- Temporary Total Disability benefits denied;
- Medical treatment delayed, denied, or not authorized;
- Disputes over whether treatment is reasonable and necessary;
- Problems with the authorized health care provider;
- Disputes over changing workers' compensation doctors;
- Independent Medical Examination disputes;
- Work restrictions ignored by the employer;
- Pressure to return to work too soon;
- Light-duty work outside medical restrictions;
- Benefits stopped after a return-to-work offer;
- Maximum Medical Improvement disputes;
- Impairment rating disputes;
- Permanent Partial Disability benefits disputed;
- Permanent Total Disability claims denied;
- Incorrect average weekly wage or compensation rate;
- Disputes over whether the injury was work-related;
- Preexisting condition or medical causation disputes;
- Late notice or accident-reporting disputes;
- Workers' compensation complaint filed with the WCA;
- New Mexico workers' compensation mediation;
- Hearings before a New Mexico Workers' Compensation Judge;
- Workers' compensation settlement disputes;
- Lump-sum settlement disputes;
- Uninsured employer claims; and
- New Mexico workers' compensation death benefit disputes.
The dispute process may include a workers' compensation complaint filed with the WCA, New Mexico workers' compensation mediation, adjudication before a New Mexico Workers' Compensation Judge, and possible appeal.
New Mexico Workers' Compensation Claims We Handle
Scruggs Law Firm helps injured workers with claims involving:
- New Mexico workers' compensation claim denied;
- Workers' compensation benefits stopped, delayed, or underpaid;
- Temporary Total Disability benefits denied;
- Medical treatment delayed, denied, or not authorized;
- Disputes over whether treatment is reasonable and necessary;
- Problems with the authorized health care provider;
- Disputes over changing workers' compensation doctors;
- Independent Medical Examination disputes;
- Work restrictions ignored by the employer;
- Pressure to return to work too soon;
- Light-duty work outside medical restrictions;
- Benefits stopped after a return-to-work offer;
- Maximum Medical Improvement disputes;
- Impairment rating disputes;
- Permanent Partial Disability benefits disputed;
- Permanent Total Disability claims denied;
- Incorrect average weekly wage or compensation rate;
- Disputes over whether the injury was work-related;
- Preexisting condition or medical causation disputes;
- Late notice or accident-reporting disputes;
- Workers' compensation complaint filed with the WCA;
- New Mexico workers' compensation mediation;
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Adjudication before a New Mexico Workers' Compensation Judge;
- Workers' compensation settlement disputes;
- Lump-sum settlement disputes;
- Uninsured employer claims;
- New Mexico workers' compensation death benefit disputes; and
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Other disputed New Mexico workers' compensation claim related matters.
How Scruggs Law Firm Helps
Our work may include:
- Reviewing what has happened in the claim;
- Identifying the issues being disputed;
- Reviewing medical records, pay records, job records, claim records, witness statements, and other evidence;
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Communicating with the employer, insurance company, and all representatives involved with the claim;
- Helping clients prepare for New Mexico workers' compensation mediation;
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Helping clients prepare for adjudication before a New Mexico Workers' Compensation Judge;
- Preparing evidence and testimony;
- Building legal arguments;
- Addressing a workers' compensation complaint filed with the WCA;
- Addressing workers' compensation settlement disputes;
- Addressing lump-sum settlement disputes;
- Keeping clients informed as the claim develops; and
- Working to present the strongest case reasonably possible.
Our role goes beyond appearing at mediation or a hearing. We work to understand our clients' needs, identify the disputed issues, prepare the evidence, and help injured workers pursue the benefits they may be owed.
Why Injured Workers Choose Scruggs Law Firm
Scruggs Law Firm offers:
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Representation from a lawyer licensed in New Mexico;
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Counsel that use modern legal tools to research and manage New Mexico workers' compensation claims;
- A focus on representing injured workers;
- Experience with disputed workers' compensation claims;
- Experience with New Mexico workers' compensation mediation;
- Representation throughout New Mexico;
- Phone and video consultations;
- Virtual representation when allowed;
- In-person representation when necessary; and
- Lawyers who stay involved.
Scruggs Law Firm DOES NOT represent insurance companies in workers' compensation claims.
Scruggs Law Firm only represents injured workers.
Schedule a free consultation with a lawyer at Scruggs Law Firm to discuss your New Mexico workers' compensation claim and learn how the firm may be able to help.