Following a work injury, you may be feeling anxious about your future. It is natural to feel this way throughout the process, but by working with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney at The Harris Firm, you can feel confident that you are moving through this unique system in the correct way. We are here to answer any of your questions.
People are often nervous about their workers’ compensation hearing. These hearings are very informal. It is formatted as an administrative process, meaning it is different than the types of court cases that most people are expecting.
Workers’ compensation hearings generally only last 15 minutes. They are very quick and to the point. This can be a benefit to the injured worker. Instead of having to spend an entire day in a courtroom like he or she may expect, the injured individual will be in and out within one hour, at most.
The first hearing will be held in front of a district hearing officer. If an appeal gets filed, you will need to return at a later date for a second hearing. It will be scheduled approximately 30–40 days later. This second hearing will take place in front of a staff-hearing officer. Usually, you will not get a decision on the day of your hearing. The hearing officer will take the matter under advisement and you will get a decision in the mail within five to seven days.
Workers’ compensation hearings should not leave you feeling nervous or anxious. After being injured on the job, you have been through enough emotional and physical turmoil up to this point; you deserve to feel at ease throughout this process. However, you cannot go through this alone. The attorneys at The Harris Firm can help instill the confidence that you need to assure yourself that you are taking the correct steps in this complicated process. Contact us today to begin your workers’ compensation process if you have any questions.
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