When you leave your home and go to work, you probably don’t expect to get hurt. Sadly, injuries are not unusual in the workplace. No amount of money is going to make you whole following a serious injury; however, workers compensation attorneys can help you get compensated fairly if you end up getting hurt at work. At the same time, there are a few key factors that are going to influence the outcome of your workers’ compensation key. These factors could make a big difference in the amount of money your employer and its insurance company might provide in a settlement offer.

Your Pay Prior to the Injury

If you file a workers’ compensation claim, you could be eligible for a few benefits, including temporary total disability, permanent partial disability, temporary partial disability, and total permanent disability. The amount of money provided in all of these benefits is going to depend on how much money you were making before the injury. This is calculated as the total amount of money you made while working for your employer during the 52 weeks preceding the injury. With this in mind, it is in your best interest to make sure your calculated pay during the preceding year is as high as possible. Do not simply let your employer choose a number. Instead, rely on the experience of an attorney who knows the various ways this figure is calculated. This will place you in a position to increase your award.

The Body Part You Have Injured

Your award might be higher if you suffer the permanent loss of use of a body part, impaired functional use, or permanent disfigurement stemming from an injury; however, not every injury is going to be eligible for certain types of awards. For example, the awards for a back or neck injury will be different than an award to an arm, leg, or face.

Furthermore, not every injury is valued the same. An arm might be worth more than a leg. A foot injury might not be worth as much as a hand injury. While it might seem unusual to place price tags on body parts, that is what happens when it comes to workers’ compensation. Count on an attorney who has experience in this field.

Your Future Occupation Prospects

You are likely to heal to some extent following an injury; however, you might not fully recover. At some point, you might reach your maximum medical improvement (MMI). This means that you are as healthy as you are going to get. Aside from pain management, there isn’t much else a doctor can do for you. At this point, your doctor will probably give you work restrictions. These restrictions might limit your future job prospects, which will influence your award.

Maximize Your Award in a Worker’s Compensation Case

These are a few of the most important factors that will play a role in your workers’ compensation award. Rely on the services of an attorney who understands how this process works.