Frequently Asked Questions About Injury and Disability

The process of qualifying for Social Security disability benefits can be extremely long and difficult. Compassionate Allowances are used to identify medical conditions that qualify for Social Security disability benefits, expediting the application process in order to provide benefits as quickly as possible.

How Compassionate Allowances Can Help

Social Security provides disability benefits for those individuals who have medical conditions that prevent them from working. These conditions primarily consist of some types of cancer, brain disorders, and rare childhood illnesses. The Compassionate Allowances program is designed to identify these types of claims, and help families in need by providing:

• Quick approval. Generally speaking, applying for Social Security disability payments is a lengthy process. The application itself is long and complicated, requiring numerous medical documents and testimonies regarding the victim’s condition. The decision process may then take as long as 6 to 12 months. Compassionate Allowances expedite this process dramatically, allowing families to receive the compensation they need while the remainder of the application is still being processed.
• No extra work. The Social Security disability application requires extensive documentation of the applicant’s medical condition. However, applying for a Compassionate Allowance doesn’t require any extra effort. When the Social Security office reviews the disability claim, they will refer to a list of Compassionate Allowances to determine if the applicant has a qualifying disorder. If so, the applicant will start receiving payments as soon as possible. These payments typically begin anywhere from just a few weeks to a couple of months after the application is filed.
• Retroactive payments. Qualifying applicants are entitled to receive retroactive pay for the period between the genesis of their disability and the approval of their application.

Qualifying for Compassionate Allowances

Speaking with an experienced disability attorney is the best way to determine eligibility for a Compassionate Allowance. He can help you complete applications, keep paperwork organized, and guide you through the appeals process, if needed. To learn more, contact the Injury & Disability Law Center by clicking the Live Chat button on this page.

Related Links: Eligibility for Social Security Disability Benefits Understanding the Sequential Evaluation Process for SSDI Claims Getting SSDI If Your Condition Isn’t Listed in the Blue Book

 

Lost wage payments intended to compensate injured New Mexico workers for wage loss are known as indemnity benefits.

Types of Indemnity Benefits

There are four types of indemnity benefits available through workers’ compensation in New Mexico:

• Temporary Total Disability (TTD). As you might guess from the name, these benefits are provided to workers who are temporarily unable to work due to an injury. TTD payments will be made until the employee returns to work, or until his doctor determines that his condition will no longer improve with further medical treatment. This is known as maximum medical improvement.
• Temporary Partial Disability (TPD). These benefits are available to injured workers who continue to work, but at a reduced wage or with reduced hours. TPD benefits will continue to be paid until the worker’s wages return to the normal rate or until maximum medical improvement has been reached.
• Permanent Total Disability (PTD). These are lifetime benefits that are paid to employees who have suffered debilitating injuries, and who are therefore unable to do any work. Workers who have completely lost the use of both of their hands, arms, legs, feet, or eyes (or any combination of two of these body parts) are entitled to receive PTD compensation. Employees who have suffered a severe brain injury may also qualify for permanent total disability benefits.
• Permanent Partial Disability (PPD). Workers who have permanent limitations, but who are still able to return to work, may be eligible for PPD benefits. These benefits are paid to employees for both scheduled losses and whole body impairments once maximum medical improvement has been reached. A scheduled loss involves an amputation or loss of use of a body part, for which an employee will receive two-thirds of his average weekly wage. All other permanent partial disabilities, such as back, head, neck, and lung injuries, are compensated as whole body impairments.

A Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help

As you can see, the rules applicable to indemnity benefits in New Mexico are complicated. You need the guidance of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to ensure that you receive all of the benefits you’re entitled to. To learn more, contact the Injury & Disability Law Center by using the form on this page.

Related Links: What to Do If You’re Injured on the Job How to Find Out If an Employer Has Workers’ Comp Insurance Selecting Your Workers’ Compensation Doctor in NM

 

There really is no such thing as a most dangerous form of distracted driving, since anything that takes a driver’s attention away from the road is dangerous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,450 people were killed in distracted driving accidents during 2016 alone.

Types of Driving Distractions

Unfortunately, our modern, always-connected lives provide plenty of opportunities for driver distraction. There are three primary types of driving distractions:

• Visual. Any person, object, or event that causes a driver to take his eyes off the road constitutes a visual distraction. It only takes a matter of seconds for a driver to miss spotting an obstacle in the road, drift out of his lane, or fail to notice that traffic is slowing ahead of him. Watching kids in the backseat, studying a map, or looking at the navigation system display are common visual distractions.
• Manual. If a driver takes one or both hands off the wheel, his vehicle can quickly drift into another lane. He also loses the ability to respond quickly to road hazards or other emergencies. A manual distraction is anything that causes a driver to remove his hands from the wheel, such as using an electronic gadget or reaching for items in the vehicle. Typical examples of manual distractions include texting, smoking, eating, and personal grooming.
• Cognitive. Even when a driver’s eyes are on the road and his hands are on the wheel—his mind may be elsewhere. He may be daydreaming, thinking about his plans for the evening, or reliving an argument he got into at work. Anything that causes a vehicle operator to think intently about something other than driving is a cognitive distraction, which can affect both judgment and reaction time. Talking with a passenger, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and driving while fatigued are common cognitive distractions.

Receiving Compensation for Your Injuries

If you’ve been injured in a collision with a distracted driver, an experienced vehicle accident attorney can investigate to establish proof of the driver’s negligence and help you receive the compensation you deserve. To learn more, contact the Injury & Disability Law Center by clicking the Live Chat button on this page.

Related Links: Five Things to Avoid After a Car Accident Car Accidents Cause Devastating Injuries Health Insurance Questions After a Car Accident

 

Yes

Explanation:

When your health insurer pays for your medical expenses for treatment caused by someone else’s negligence, and you ultimately recover monetary damages from that negligent person, your health insurer has a right to be reimbursed (these are called rights of subrogation) from you out of the accident money you received. 

Here is the reasoning - Your settlement money from the negligent driver’s insurance included payment to you for medical bills resulting from your treatment.  But your health insurer also paid you (by paying the health care provider) for those same medical bills. 

To allow you to be paid for the medical bills, while also having your own health insurance pay for those same bills, is the legal equivalent of “double dipping”.  Instead, your health insurer has a legal right of subrogation (i.e. right of reimbursement) that requires you to reimburse them in the amount they paid on your behalf for treatment resulting from the accident.

Keep in mind, if you do not ultimately make a recovery from the responsible driver, either because they didn’t carry insurance, or for any other reason, you would not be required to reimburse your health insurer anything.  Your health insurance company’s subrogation rights are triggered only upon your receipt of monetary damages from the negligent party. 

This answer provides a simple explanation, but there are often more complex factors involving subrogation rights, including the amount that must be reimbursed.   For this reason, we recommend seeking legal counsel to help ensure all of your legal rights and remedies are considered when dealing with issues of reimbursement. 

Call us for a free consultation to see how we can help you. 

After an accident, you should seek immediate medical attention. The most important thing is to get the treatment you need and do not let issues of insurance and payment prevent you from getting the proper treatment.   Your safety and health will always be top priority!

If given the option, you should insist on using your own personal health insurance for all of your medical treatment, even if the accident was caused by another person. 

Understandably, many people are hesitant to use their own health insurance to pay since their injuries were caused by someone else—shouldn’t the responsible party’s insurance have to pay?  The answer is yes, they should!

Important Reasons to Use Your Personal Health Insurance After an Accident

One of the most common questions that I get asked in my personal injury practice is whether I should use my personal health insurance to pay for medical treatment after I've been in an accident that was caused by someone else.

The answer is, yes, every time. and here's why.

Anytime you've been in an accident, one of the main goals is going to ensure you don't have any lingering bills or ongoing debts after the accident. Using your personal health insurance is the best way to do that.

#1 – There could be a dispute as to who was at fault.

After an accident. you may think the other person was at fault. But you never quite know if there is going to be a dispute as to who caused the accident. It is not uncommon for there to be an argument as to who actually caused the accident. And since most of your medical treatment is going to take place soon after the accident. You should never assume that there's going to be that insurance to cover you because that may not be determined until a much later time. If you use your personal health insurance you eliminate the risk that that bill could go unpaid.

#2 -  The other driver could be uninsured or underinsured.

You don't know if the accident was caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver. This is true even if the police report shows the other driver has insurance.  Often times those listed policies have expired, so you can’t rely on the insurance provided to the police at the scene. Even if the other driver caused the accident, they may not actually carry the minimum insurance required because in New Mexico we have a very high rate of uninsured drivers – in fact, the third-highest in the United States. So you never quite know if there is insurance to cover your injuries, even if the other person was clearly at fault. You also don't know if they're going to have enough insurance to cover all of your bills. So again, use your personal health insurance to completely eliminate that as a possibility.

#3 -  Health insurers pay discounted rates.

Your personal health insurance company – for instance, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicaid, Medicare, and virtually all health insurers—have contracts with medical providers that allow them to pay a reduced rate, called a “contract rate” for your medical treatment. This means it is in your best interest for your health insurer to pay those bills at a reduced contract rate, as opposed to the other drivers auto insurance company paying your medical bills, because the auto insurer will pay the full amount of those charged bills.  This will help put more in your pocket when your claim is finished.

#4 – You can negotiate with your health insurer.

If you do ultimately receive a settlement and your health insurance has paid out on your behalf, you will have a legal obligation to pay them back. That's part of your contract agreement with them. But there are also some benefits under the law that allow you to negotiate down what you potentially have to reimburse to your health insurance company. Therefore, it will be in your best interest to negotiate the reimbursement owed to your health insurance company versus getting stuck with an unpaid medical bill.

IMPORTANT BONUS TIP - Don’t be surprised if the medical provider does not want to bill your personal health insurer and they instead want to bill the auto insurance for the person that hit you. This has to do with the economics of how much they make off of that medical treatment. My advice is to be persistent and insist the provider bill your health insurer—it may be the single most important step you can take to maximize your take-home pay from a settlement.

A Note of Caution: Do Not Delay Medical Treatment

Since medical treatment is typically required immediately after an accident, you do not want to delay medical treatment while the legal issues of the accident are sorted out.  This is where New Mexico law provides the appropriate remedy.

Medical Payments Paid By Your Insurance Must Be Reimbursed

Keep in mind: New Mexico law provides reimbursement rights to your health insurer for benefits paid out on your behalf that were caused by another person’s negligence.  That means if your health insurer pays for your medical expenses for treatment caused by someone else’s negligence, and you ultimately recover monetary damages from that negligent person, your health insurer has a right to be reimbursed (these are called rights of subrogation) from you out of the accident money you received.  

Quick Example:

You are driving and a negligent driver runs a stop sign and hits you.  An ambulance arrives and transports you to the hospital.   You remember reading something from The Injury and Disability Law Center that said to use your personal health insurance if you are in an accident.  The hospital bills your personal health insurance for payment for your treatment.  It is later determined that the other driver was at fault for causing the accident, and carried auto insurance.  The negligent driver’s insurance company then pays you for your bodily injury damages from the accident, which include your medical bills.  Your receipt of payment from the responsible party’s insurance for your damages triggers the legal right of your health insurance company to be reimbursed what they paid out for your treatment caused by the negligent driver. 

Financial Burden is on the Wrongdoer

As you can see in the example, the law ultimately is designed to place the financial burden on the wrongdoer.  In this example, the negligent driver.  Even though your health insurance paid out initially, the wrongdoer paid for those damages through a settlement with you, and you are then able (and required) to pay your health insurer back.  This process ensures there is no improper shifting of the financial burden unfairly to your health insurer, while at the same time allowing you to receive the timely medical treatment you need. 

Contact Our Roswell Injury Law Office for Help

Our team would be happy to talk with you if you have additional questions about using your personal health insurance, ensuring your medical bills get paid, or any other questions you may have following a car wreck or other accident in New Mexico. Give us a call at (575) 300-4000 or fill out our contact form so we can discuss the details of your specific situation in a free consultation.

Related Links: Who Pays For My Physical Therapy After A Car Crash?  I Used My Personal Health Insurance After a Wreck, Do I Have to Reimburse Them? Do I Need An Attorney To Represent Me In My Car Accident Claim?

 

One of the most common questions we receive about worker’s compensation has to deal with changing doctors.  To help explain the law on this issue I will use three examples:

Worker is injured on the job, and he/she goes to the Emergency Department for treatment, and then requires follow up medical care.  Who gets to pick the doctor the worker must see for the follow-up treatment?

Answer – Employer. But do not lose hope just yet… Worker is not without rights and options.

What Does New Mexico Law Say?

New Mexico law allows the employer to initially (I repeat, initially) select which doctor you must see.   The employer has two options. First, they can select the doctor and the injured worker is required to present for follow up treatment to that doctor. Alternatively, the employer can allow the injured worker to select which doctor to follow up with.

*Important Rule – An injured worker should first check with their employer about who is to select the doctor before continuing treatment.  If the employer does not give direction about which doctor to see, the injured worker can select the doctor of their choice.

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Example 1:

Let’s assume Employer instructed Worker to see a specific doctor who we’ll call “Employer Doctor”. Is Worker stuck with Employer Doctor permanently?  Answer - No. 

*Important Rule -  If the employer selects the initial doctor, then worker has the automatic right to change to a doctor of worker’s choosing after 60 days of treatment.

After 60 days of treatment, Worker has the automatic right (no filing a motion or court hearing required) to change doctors.  Worker must notify Employer by simply completing and sending to Employer a form called the “Notice of Change of Healthcare Provider” which can be found on the New Mexico Workers Compensation Administration's website.

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Example 2:

Let’s now change the facts again and assume Employer did not instruct Worker to see Employer Doctor, and instead allowed Worker to choose the doctor either by expressly telling Worker to choose or by failing to give Worker direction on who to see.   Worker then chooses to see “Worker Doctor”.  Does Worker get to keep seeing Worker Doctor?  Answer - Maybe.

*Important Rule – The same 60-day rule applies equally to both parties.  If Worker makes the initial doctor selection, Employer has an automatic right to change doctors simply by completing and sending a Notice of Change of Healthcare Provider to Worker. 

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Example 3:

Let’s now change the facts again.  This time, Worker chose Worker Doctor and treated for 60 days before Employer exercised the right to change Worker Doctor to Employer Doctor.  Employer Doctor has been treating Worker for 60 days.  Can Worker change back to his/her preferred doctor, Worker Doctor?  Answer - Maybe.

*Important Lesson - Any further changes in doctor selection must happen through one of two ways:  1) Agreement of both parties; or 2) By filing a motion with the court and getting a judge to approve the change. 

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Understand Your Rights in New Mexico

It is impossible to know what a workers’ compensation judge may approve on an issue like that, but it is unlikely a judge will allow Worker or Employer to continue the carousel of changing doctors without a compelling reason to do so.  Examples of compelling reasons could be mistreatment, lack of physician qualification, length of treatment, or any other reason that the Worker or Employer could demonstrate to justify another change in treating physician.  

In summary, New Mexico law grants Workers important rights and remedies when it comes to selecting the Worker’s health care provider. 

Speak To a Roswell New Mexico Workers' Comp Lawyer

Our workers' compensation attorneys are here to answer your questions and explain how workers’ compensation works in New Mexico. Call our office or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation.

Related Workers Compensation Information: Employers Cannot Retaliate For Workers Comp Filing Types of New Mexico Workers' Comp Benefits

 

In New Mexico, almost all employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance in the event of an injury on the job. An employer who has personnel in the construction industry must provide workers' comp benefits. Other employers are also required to carry this insurance as long as it has three or more staff members. The owner and family members working in the business are considered employees under this requirement, making the law apply to more workers.

Although New Mexico requires employers to purchase workers’ compensation insurance, not all employees will do so.

Ways to Determine If Your Employer Provides Workers’ Comp

There are several things to check if your employer offers workers’ compensation benefits. These include the following:

• ​Poster. Under New Mexico law, employers are required to post a workers’ compensation poster in a conspicuous space where all staff members can see it. An employer is supposed to fill in the information regarding the workers’ compensation insurance company’s name and contact information on the poster. A Notice of Accident form must be attached to the poster for it to comply with state law.
• Online search. You can search online at the State of New Mexico Worker Compensation Administration to see if your employer is registered as having workers’ compensation insurance.
• Employer. If you cannot determine whether or not an employer carries workers’ compensation insurance, simply ask. An employer hopefully won't have any problem telling you this if complying with this New Mexico law.
• Experienced workers’ compensation attorney. You should consult with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney who can assist you in determining if your employer provides injury benefits. He can also explain your rights under workers’ compensation laws, file your claim, and negotiate your settlement so that you receive the benefits you deserve.

Do you have questions regarding your rights to workers’ compensation? Even if your employer complies with New Mexico law regarding this insurance, it doesn't mean you won't have to fight to receive what you're entitled to if injured on the job. We're here to answer your questions and explain how workers’ compensation works in New Mexico. Call our office or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation with one of our workers compensation attorneys.

Related Link: Who is eligible for workers’ compensation benefits in New Mexico?

 

If you were injured on the job or suffered an occupational illness, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits to pay medical bills and replace lost wages. Like many other states’ laws, New Mexico’s workers’ compensation program is a no-fault law that provides benefits to injured workers regardless of who was at fault in causing the accident.

Are You Eligible for Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

Almost all employers in our state are required to have workers' compensation insurance. Employers who staff three or more workers must provide workers’ comp benefits to injured workers. An employer and members of his or her family who work at the business are also considered employees. Part-time staff, temporary and seasonal workers, and many agricultural laborers are also considered employees under this rule.

In addition, an employer who has personnel in the construction industry—even if it's less than three employees—is required to have workers’ compensation insurance.

Assuming that your employer is required to provide workers’ compensation, you could be entitled to benefits if you can demonstrate the following:

• You are an employee with active standing.
• Your injury or illness was caused during the course of your employment.

Exceptions to Providing Workers’ Compensation Benefits

In limited situations, an employer isn't required to provide workers’ compensation to injured personnel. You wouldn't be eligible for benefits if you're of the following:

• ​Independent contractor
• Domestic worker
• Real estate salesperson who receives a commission
• Federal employee covered under federal workers’ compensation laws
• Executive who meets certain requirements and has elected not to receive workers’ comp benefits
• Sole proprietor

Contact Our Roswell Office for Help

Even if you're clearly eligible for workers’ compensation and suffered an injury on the job, your employer’s insurance company could deny your claim for benefits. Call our Roswell workers' comp lawyers today to schedule a free case evaluation to learn about your rights to workers’ compensation benefits and how our legal team can help.

When you must make the difficult decision to file a claim for compensation after suffering an injury in a car, slip and fall, or other personal injury accident, it's important to know whether or not it's worth your time to file a claim. To start this assessment, you first have to know the damages for which you can receive a settlement.   

Types of Compensation You're Entitled to in Personal Injury Cases

Although each personal injury claim is unique, most people report the same type of damages in order to regain financial stability after suffering an injury. You may be awarded compensation for the following:

• Medical bills. You're entitled to reimbursement for the cost of doctor visits, hospitalizations, surgery, prescription medications, physical therapy, and any other expenses associated with treatment for your injuries.
• Wage losses. This includes income you'll lose while you're off work, vacation and sick time benefits, bonuses, and commissions. If you must make a career change or become disabled due to your injuries, you may also be entitled to lost earning capacity, which is the future income and job benefits you might lose as a result of those changes.
• Pain and suffering. You're entitled to be reimbursed for emotional trauma, pain, and suffering caused by your accident and injury. Since there isn't a set formula for calculating this amount, you'll need the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney to value this part of your claim.
• Wrongful death. If a family member died as a result of his or her injuries, a wrongful death attorney can assist in seeking compensation for the financial losses you suffered as well as the support, companionship, and advice of your loved one.
• Punitive damages. When the at-fault party’s actions are grossly negligent, punitive damages may be awarded.

Factors That Affect the Value of Your Claim

The exact amount you receive in a settlement is based on a number of factors that affect the strength or weakness of your claim. Some of these factors include:

• Liability. If the liability of the negligent party is clear-cut, or he admits being at fault, this strengthens the claim and makes it more likely that you'll receive what you are owed. When there are issues about your fault in contributing to your injuries, you may have to accept less when settling the case.
• Severity of injuries. Your claim will be worth more if your injuries are more severe or cause some permanent injury than if you suffer a minor injury that you recover from quickly.
• Insurance coverage. The amount of insurance coverage for the negligent party affects the value of your settlement in a practical way. No matter how much the amount of damages, you can only receive the insurance liability coverage in settlement of your claim.
• Your attorney. Having an experienced personal injury attorney with a track record of successfully settling and trying cases similar to yours can increase the value of the case. He or she will be able to thoroughly investigate your accident, build a strong case against the negligent party, and negotiate a settlement that provides you with deserving compensation.

Contact a New Mexico Injury Attorney Today

If you were injured in a personal injury accident, call our office today to schedule a free consultation. We'll discuss the parties who could be responsible for compensating you and the value of your personal injury claim.

Related Link: How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in New Mexico?

 

If you or a family member suffered a serious injury in a motor vehicle, slip and fall, or personal injury accident, you may need to file a claim for compensation with the negligent party’s insurance company.

When you do this, it's important to understand the basic process, such as the types of compensation that you may be entitled to, how personal injury claims work, and the evidence that you will need to prove your case.

In addition, a crucial law to understand is the statute of limitations in New Mexico.

What Is the Statute of Limitations in New Mexico?

The statute of limitations is the New Mexico law that sets the time period for you to file a personal injury lawsuit against all negligent parties who caused your accident. If you fail to file a lawsuit within these time periods, you waive your right to do so, and the judge would most likely dismiss your case.

It is very important that you always consult an attorney to make sure you are filing your claim within the statute of limitations.

As a general guideline, the statute of limitations to file a personal injury case is:

• Two years from the date of the accident for a claim against a governmental entity, including a 90-day tort claim notice from the date of the accident
• ​Three years from the date of the accident for personal injuries suffered
• Three years from the date of the victim’s death if a loved one died from his or her injuries and you must file a wrongful death action
• Four years from the date of the accident for property damage suffered

Act Fast: Contact an Attorney Soon After Your Accident

One of the best ways to ensure you receive what you deserve in a settlement is to retain an experienced personal injury attorney immediately after your accident. Even if your accident happened recently and you have a long time to file a lawsuit, you might be making a big mistake that could weaken your claim for compensation.

If you wait to hire a personal injury lawyer, you limit his ability to promptly investigate the cause of your accident and interview witnesses. If too much time lapses between the incident and his investigation, scene evidence may disappear, or individuals may move or forget important details to help your claim. Your attorney can also handle all communications with the insurance adjuster and help you avoid mistakes, such as agreeing to give a recorded statement or signing the insurance company’s medical release, which could hurt your case.

Do you need to file a claim following a personal injury accident? Call our office today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options, and how we can help you fight to hold the negligent parties accountable.