First, you are entitled to medical treatment for the injury.   The law states that the care will be provided by a doctor of the employer's choosing, or one chosen by the employer's worker's compensation insurance carrier. If you choose your own doctor you will bear that expense yourself. Second, if the doctor determines you are unable to work you have a right to be paid two-thirds of your average weekly wage after a three day waiting period. Third, if the doctor determines you have some residual disability you are entitled to a lump sum of money to compensate you for you disability.

 

Often your attorney must fight to get your employer to acknowledge you were injured and pay benefits. If you employer believes you were injured they may start paying you a weekly check and sending you to the company doctor. They do no generally offer a lump sum money settlement for your disability. Your attorney will file a formal claim with the Division of Workers Compensation and start working to get your settlement.

 

Some insurance companies will voluntarily offer you a settlement. Be careful of accepting a settlement based solely on the disability rating of the insurance company's doctor. I