There are a lot of factors that affect how long you work accident claim will take. A good rule of thumb is that the more complex your claim is, the longer it will take.

One important factor is the nature of the injury itself. In some cases, the work injury is very straightforward. In others, the doctor needs several visits just to determine the extent of the injuries. Your attorney will likely tell you to wait until you have completely recovered. If the accident results in a permanent injury, you wait until you have reached MMI status. MMI stands for Maximum Medical Improvement. Once you have reached MMI, your doctor will issue a report on the medical and legal issues of your case.

Another important factor is the liability. In some cases, your employer will claim responsibility right away. If this happens, your case will proceed to the next stage. On the other hand, your employer may claim that you or someone else contributed to your injuries. In this case, you must first prove that they are liable.

A dispute may also arise when you and your employer disagree over other things. For example, you may disagree over temporary disability benefits. The need for future medical care is another possible source of disagreement.

If you resolve your case, there is still the settlement to consider. There are two kinds of settlements possible. The first is ‘Stipulations with Request for Award”. In this kind of settlement, weekly payments are arranged, and medical treatment will be paid for when necessary. The second is “Compromise and Release”. This type of settlement is a lump sum, inclusive of the estimated cost of your future medical care. If you need further medical care, that is your responsibility.

If you and your employer can’t come to an agreement, a trial will decide the outcome of your case.