Indiana Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

Last updated on March 17, 2025

Regardless of whether you love your job, you rely on the income. At a bare minimum, it keeps food on the table and a roof over your head. An on-the-job injury or illness can take away that security in an instant and physically and financially change your life forever. It is for this reason that the workers’ compensation program exists.

Our attorneys at Sarkisian Sarkisian & Associates can help you obtain the benefits you are entitled to by law. They will guide you through your workers’ compensation case with compassion and commitment. They hope that their guidance will reduce your worry and help you work toward recovery.

Call our offices in Portage and Valparaiso at 219-265-6061 for help throughout northwest Indiana and Chicagoland. Our initial consultations are free.

Our Team Handles All Types Of Workers’ Compensation Claims

With our focus on personal injury, workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability cases, our lawyers can help you investigate all potential claims for compensation or benefits. They look forward to serving you.

Our team has succeeded on behalf of our clients in a variety of work site injuries.

• Burns
• Electrocutions
• Explosions
• Injuries at work
• Accidents involving heavy machinery
• Falling items
• Slip-and-falls and trip-and-falls
• Back injuries

Our attorneys also represent the family members of those who have been killed in workplace accidents. Legal options may include seeking workers’ comp death benefits or filing a wrongful death claim.

Who Is Eligible To File A Workers’ Compensation Claim?

Under Indiana law, employers must provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage if they have one employee or more. There are some exceptions to this mandate, but if you work for someone else as an official employee, chances are good that you are eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim following a workplace injury.

There are numerous types of benefits provided to injured workers. Chief among these are coverage of medical care expenses and partial wage replacement if your injury keeps you out of work for at least seven days. Wage replacement pay will typically be two-thirds of your average weekly wage prior to your injury.

If your injuries have left you permanently unable to return to your old job or continue work in your profession, Indiana workers’ compensation benefits can also cover “vocational rehabilitation,” which helps you train for and find new types of employment.

Workers’ Compensation Claims In Indiana

If you’ve been hurt at work, then you are likely eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim. However, there are some important steps to follow to give your claim the best chance of success.

It’s important to get medical attention as soon as possible and follow the doctor’s advice. Your employer’s insurance should cover these costs, but make sure to inform the health care provider that your injury is work-related. Keep records of all your medical treatments and expenses; this information will be crucial for your claim.

If you didn’t do so at the time of the accident, report your injury to your employer as soon as possible. Indiana law requires you to notify your employer within 30 days of either the accident or the discovery of a work-related injury. It’s best to do this in writing and keep a copy for your records to ensure that there’s no confusion later on.

Next, your employer should give you a form called the First Report of Injury, which they will fill out and send to their workers’ compensation insurance company. After your report, you should receive information from the insurance company about your claim. This will include whether your claim has been accepted or denied and details on the benefits you are entitled to if your claim is approved.

If your claim is denied or you’re not getting the benefits you believe you’re entitled to, then you can file an Application for Adjustment of Claim with the Workers’ Compensation Board. While you are not required to hire an Indiana workers’ compensation lawyer for your claim, many injured workers find that hiring an attorney right away makes the claims and appeals processes easier and less prone to errors or problems that could impact approval.

How Workers’ Compensation Disputes Are Resolved In Indiana

Not all workers’ compensation claims go smoothly. If a claim is denied, benefits are delayed or a dispute arises about the level of compensation, injured workers have the right to challenge the decision through the Indiana Workers’ Compensation Board. The board establishes clear procedures to resolve these disputes fairly through specific channels.

If you receive a denial letter or disagree with the benefits offered, you can file an Application for Adjustment of Claim. This formal document initiates the dispute resolution process and must be filed within two years of your injury date or the last date you received benefits. Once your application is filed, your case will typically progress through several key stages. Initially, a board member may schedule an informal dispute resolution conference. This meeting brings all parties together to discuss the issues and potentially reach an agreement without formal proceedings.

If the informal conference does not resolve your dispute, your case moves to mediation. A neutral third-party mediator will work with you and the insurance company to find common ground. Many cases reach settlement during this stage, saving time and reducing stress for injured workers.

For unresolved disputes, your case advances to a formal hearing before a WCB hearing member. This proceeding resembles a simplified trial where both sides present evidence and arguments. The hearing member then issues a written decision that determines the outcome of your claim. Either party can appeal the hearing member’s decision to the full Workers’ Compensation Board within 30 days. The board reviews the evidence and may uphold, modify or reverse the original decision. Further appeals can be made through the Indiana Court of Appeals and, in rare cases, to the Indiana Supreme Court.

Throughout this process, having knowledgeable legal representation can significantly improve your chances of a favorable outcome. Our attorneys understand the fine distinctions of Indiana’s workers’ compensation dispute resolution system and can advocate effectively at each stage. We stand ready to represent your interests and pursue the full benefits you deserve under Indiana law.

Our Lawyers Reduce Your Financial Burden Rather Than Adding To It

Our team can help you cope with the difficulties of a workers’ compensation case in various ways. For example, our attorneys know that finances can sometimes be a source of worry. Because they want to help you instead of worry you, they have arranged things in a way that relieves financial stress.

This means that we do not receive payment or reimbursement of any sort unless and until our lawyers secure a recovery for you. We also offer an initial consultation for free, and we don’t require your commitment, either. Our attorneys want to win together with you, and they feel sure that they can.

Contact Us Today For Your Free, No-Obligation Consultation

The sooner you act after an accident, the better your odds of securing restitution are. At Sarkisian Sarkisian & Associates, we have offices in Portage and Valparaiso, and we serve clients throughout the surrounding areas of Indiana.

To discuss your legal options with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney, contact us to schedule a free initial consultation. Just call 219-265-6061 or send us an email.