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21 East Main StreetChristiansburg, VA 24073
Virginia Worker’s Compensation Lawyer
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Physical Therapist Can Better Represent You!
Orthopedic Injuries, Occupational Exposures
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Worker's Comp FAQ's
Report the injury to your employer right away, and confirm it in writing by email or text. Ask for a panel of doctors to choose from, get medical care, and tell the provider the injury happened at work. Then file a formal claim with the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission. Filing with your employer's insurance company is not the same thing. We recommend speaking with a workers' comp attorney as soon as possible after a work accident.
Read more: What to Do When You Are Injured at Work
A hearing means the insurance company has denied all or part of your claim, and the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission will decide the dispute. It works like a short "mini trial" before a Deputy Commissioner, with no jury. You'll testify under oath and be cross-examined by the insurer's attorney, and your medical records must be submitted before the hearing. You'll get a written decision by mail, usually within a few weeks. The insurer will have an attorney, and you should have one well before the hearing too.
Read more: Your Virginia Workers' Comp Hearing: What to Expect
Your employer cannot legally fire you for reporting a workplace accident or filing a valid workers' compensation claim. That is illegal retaliation under Virginia law. But Virginia is an at-will employment state, so being under a doctor's care does not protect your job: an employer can still let you go for other legitimate reasons, such as having no light duty work that fits your restrictions. Being fired doesn't automatically end your benefits.
Read more: Can I Be Fired for Filing a Workers' Comp Claim in Virginia?
Don't simply accept your employer's or adjuster's doctor. If medical care is authorized, you're entitled to a panel of three doctors to choose from, so ask for one. Choose carefully: after a few visits, that doctor becomes your authorized treating physician, whose opinion carries the most weight, and changing later is difficult. Usually it takes a referral from that doctor, the insurer's agreement, or an order from the Commission. If your claim is denied or no panel is offered, you can choose any doctor.
Read more: Choosing and Changing Your Doctor in a Virginia Workers' Comp Case
Yes. Most settlements close your case in exchange for a one-time, tax-free lump sum, though some keep medical coverage open for a period or settle only part of the claim. In most cases you give up future wage loss and medical benefits for the injury, and you can't reopen the case later, even if your condition gets worse. Every settlement must be approved by the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission. Being interested in settling never obligates you to accept an offer.
Read more: Settling a Virginia Workers' Comp Case: What It Means and How It Works
Often, yes. The choice of where to file belongs to you, not your employer, and an employment contract can't take away Virginia jurisdiction when Virginia law provides it. If you were hurt in Virginia, or your job is rooted here (hired here, with an employer that has a place of business here), you may have a Virginia claim even for an out-of-state accident. When more than one state has jurisdiction, you can often pick the state with better benefits.
Read more: Hurt Out of State? When You Can File for Virginia Workers' Comp
A full and final mediation is a free, confidential and voluntary meeting run by the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission, where you and the insurance company try to settle your entire claim for a lump sum. You must have an attorney to take part. A neutral mediator helps both sides negotiate but can't force a decision, and if no agreement is reached, you keep your right to a hearing.
Read more: What to Expect at a Settlement Mediation
Worker's Comp Case Studies
A Work Accident at An Injured Workers’ Home
We prevailed upon a case where a worker was injured in his own driveway on ice, while preparing to take the company vehicle to the shop. Preparing the company vehicle to go the shop placed the employee in the scope of employment, even though he was in his own driveway.
Although the Deputy Commissioner originally denied the case, the Full Commission agreed with us.
Overcoming a Workers Comp Statute of Limitations
We were able to prevail upon a case, where the statute of limitation on filing a claim with the Commission had passed by a significant period of time.
We were able to prove that because the employer and insurer had never reported the accident to the Commission the usual statute of limitation did not apply.
Occupational Exposure to Chemicals
We prevailed upon a case where an employee was exposed to a harmful chemical, causing a variety of psychiatric symptoms.
Attorney Thomas’ background and studies in Gross Human Anatomy and Human Physiology provided a thorough understanding of a very medically complex case. His background gave us the edge to win on appeal to the Workmen's Compensation Full Commission.
Posted on Google
Patsy BennettTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Aaron Thomas did a amazing job with my case. I highly recommend them if you get injured at work and need a worker compensation attorney. Thank you for all you do in my case. And going above and beyond going over everything and communicating with me. I appreciate your hard workPosted on Google
D G (Dggoeshamm)Just want to take the time to give credit where credit is due attorney Aaron Thomas is a great attorney to work with! I highly recommend him and his facility!Posted on Google
Abigail RobinsonAaron Thomas did an outstanding job representing my case. He went above and beyond, when I had questions he made time to call me personally to answer my questions and direct me on how to ensure everything was in order in a timely matter. Thanks to a great professional relationship with other attorneys and mediators he assisted in a great outcome in my case, I don't believe would have turned out the same without Mr. Thomas.Posted on Google
Cassity WilsonMr. Thomas is awesome. He took care of our case with passion like we were family and helped us every step of the way in winning my worker’s compensation case! 10/10 recommend !Posted on Google
Robert EvansAttorney J. Aaron Thomas has been great so far in helping me to get the compensation and medical benefits that I need following a work related fall. He has been professional and kind towards me and keeps me updated anytime something new comes along. I will do a follow up review when all is said and done with my case.Posted on Google
ZGEcrimsonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Terrible lawyers cant even help me get my settlement from a work injury i fell off a ladder and a broom went up my butt and he wont help i cant walk anymore the doctors even left it in there saying it would cause more damage to removePosted on Google
John ValentineSuch a wonderful and very professional team they are truly spot on genuine honest feel like you been knowing the firm all along very thorough always a phone call away no worries they will call you and update you on every aspect of your case it was such a pleasure working with attorney Thomas and Laura and Emily as welll if your in need of service this is the place they will go over and beyond as long as you are upfront and honest they will do they very best they handle all of my needs I’m very satisfied and could not ask for anything more job welll donePosted on Google
Rabb RobertsWorking with Attorney Aaron Thomas has been nothing short of exceptional. From the moment he took on my Workers’ Comp case, he showed unmatched professionalism, compassion, and dedication. He took the time to truly understand my situation, explain every step of the process in plain language, and always made sure I felt supported and informed. Aaron fought for me when I felt overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. His attention to detail, strong communication, and genuine commitment to my wellbeing made all the difference. I never felt like just another case—he treated me like a real person whose future mattered. Because of his expertise and persistence, my case reached a successful outcome, and I’m beyond grateful for the peace of mind he helped me regain. If you’re looking for an attorney who will advocate fiercely for you and guide you with integrity, I highly recommend Aaron Thomas. He is truly the kind of attorney you want in your corner.Posted on Google
Eric MarshallVery helpful and made sure I had everything I needed
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For over three decades, The Thomas family has served those who call Virginia their home. In April of 2016, he and J. Aaron Thomas (father and son) partnered together in an effort to distance themselves from the impersonal nature common in larger firms and to return the emphasis of legal counsel to where it belongs--on the client.
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