In 1997, Joni Franklin suffered a significant work-related injury to both of her arms, wrists, and hands, which required multiple surgeries, physical and occupational therapy, and a long healing period. She understands what it is like to wait for authorization for needed medical care, to struggle to return to work with or without medical restrictions, to ensure that medical bills are paid timely, and above all, she understands what it is like to work within and against the work comp system. She has literally been in your shoes and has continued to fight to obtain injured workers their much-needed, and much-deserved, medical and compensation benefits for over twenty-five (25) years.

Almost all work-related injuries are required by the State of Kansas to be covered by an employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. While workers’ compensation is a State mandated insurance benefit in almost all cases, the cost of an injury at work is a cost that most employers will always attempt to avoid.

As a result, it’s important to accurately document your injuries and protect your rights if you are filing for workers’ compensation. At Franklin Law Office, Joni is an experienced and aggressive lawyer that will assist, represent, and promote all injured workers in preparing medical information and other documentation in applying for and winning workers’ compensation benefits and monetary compensation.

Since an employer typically requires you to see a doctor working for their insurance company, it is incredibly important for you to seek an independent doctor to get a second opinion. An insurer’s doctor will attempt to downplay your injury, claim it is due to a pre-existing condition, or recommend that you return to work before you are able. 

Kansas law does require that an insurance carrier pay for a second opinion or alternative medical care for up to Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). However, this is a ONE-time allowance, and once the money is gone, an injured worker has no other monetary provisions to get a second opinion or alternative medical care under the workers' compensation system.

This means that typically an injured worker only has one shot at getting a second opinion, which will be sufficient in Court to obtain additional medical treatment or a change in physician away from the Insurance Company’s doctor. There are specific requirements under Kansas law that MUST be included in any medical opinion considered by a Workers’ Compensation Judge. If these opinions are missing – the medical opinion is not legally sufficient and is basically useless. It is imperative to seek legal advice in obtaining a medical opinion regarding addition and/or alternative medical treatment for a work-related injury. Do not let the insurance company trick you into wasting this valuable benefit. 

Let Franklin Law Office help you get a second opinion or treatment recommendation from a doctor that does not work for the insurance companies and will provide you with an opinion that a Judge will accept as trustworthy and legally valid in seeking your change of physician or alternative medical treatment. Without this legal guidance, you risk having a medical opinion thrown out, found legally insufficient, or just disregarded in general by the Court. Do not risk your medical recovery or ability to seek additional or alternative medical care by making this mistake, make sure to contact Franklin Law Office today to protect your rights and get the medical attention you deserve and need.

In Kansas, there is NO proactive requirement for an insurance carrier to do the right thing, or to even voluntarily provide the benefits you are entitled to under Kansas law. Under Kansas law, you as the injured worker are on the hook to demand any and all workers' compensation benefits that are denied to you, and in order to do that, you need an experienced and aggressive work comp attorney like Joni and Franklin Law Office.

Have you been injured while at work? Are you no longer able to carry out the everyday functions of your job? If so, you should contact Franklin Law Office as soon as possible.

There are mandatory deadlines to meet when filing for workers’ compensation in Kansas. At Franklin Law Office, we can let you know all your options and provide the help you need.

Protect your rights. Call Franklin Law Office today for a free  Workers' Compensation consultation.

There is a way to get a second opinion, an “unauthorized medical allowance.” The company has no right to dictate whom you see for this. It is an important tool to get you away from the company doctor you are unsatisfied with.

Insurance companies assign “medical case managers” who may intrude in your treatment – but you have a right to consult in private with a doctor.

Remember, a company doctor works for an insurance company. Insurance companies are “for-profit” businesses that answer to shareholders. In many cases, insurers introduce cost-reduction programs that encourage reducing the number of claims paid in a given year.

A doctor may even be on an incentive program that ties his or her yearly bonus to a reduction in claims payouts. In some cases, then, a company doctor may have an incentive to look for a reason to deny a workers’ compensation claim or conclude that your injuries are less severe than you believe they really are.

Recent changes in the law make it all the more important to consult an experienced attorney regarding your claim.

Most people do not expect to suffer a work injury. It can happen suddenly, or you may develop a condition over time, but whatever the circumstances may be, you have rights.

Even if you are receiving benefits, are you sure that you are getting all the benefits you deserve? We can help you receive the full measure of the financial and medical benefits you are owed.

Recent case law in Kansas has changed the value and protection of claims for repetitive use injuries. Union workers are often eligible for additional benefits. At Franklin Law Office, we have represented Union workers for more than 25 years - and we value Union labor.

How do you know if you are getting the comprehensive medical treatment you need? Get a second opinion. By consulting with an attorney today, you can find out how to get a second opinion on your case for free. 

At Franklin Law Office, we work to ensure that our clients are getting full medical benefits, including reimbursement for medical mileage and prescription reimbursement.

If you do physical work, you rely on a healthy body. A work injury may severely limit your capacity to maintain your career. We help clients in a variety of occupations:

• Firefighters
• Police officers
• Construction
• Landscaping
• Restaurant
• Retail
• Aircraft Manufacturing
• Factory Work
• Agricultural Manufacturing
• Skilled Laborers

You don’t have to wait for your claim to be approved to start receiving benefits. We can help get you the money or accommodated work you need while your claim is being filed.

Has your workers' compensation been denied for failing to give notice of the accident or injury or positive drug tests? If so please contact our office. There are many legal ways to deal with such denials, in many circumstances. These are very time-sensitive issues, so it is important to call now.

To learn more about the legal aspects of how a workers' compensation attorney can help, we welcome you to contact Franklin Law Office to schedule a consultation.

Attorney: Joni J. Franklin