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Workers Compensation
After getting into a car accident I called Barbara and it was the best decision I ever made. She is amazing! I couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer to represent me. She got me the best settlement to pay back my medi...
The fight with insurance companies is just as hard as fighting for your life after an accident. As long as you dont give up on yourself Barbara will fight for you. The staff at Kidwell and Gallagher were great as well. I...
These two are specialists in two related fields, personal injury and workmen’s comp. Both they and their staff were VERY responsive to me and my questions, and handled my case with patience and competence. I would,...
I feel like kidwell & Gallagher went above and beyond for me. Craig himself and his staff are so nice and helpful. I would highly recommend this law office for your workmans comp/injury needs. You will not be disappo...
The best place to go if you need good hometown lawyers. They are very informative and kept us updated on what was going to happen through out our case.
Was the best experience, we told them the problem and they took over everything, was such a relief. Always there to answer any questions and help is fast is possible.
I was at my job mountain crew changes there in the basement of kidwell and Gallagher
They weren’t able to help with my case, but they directed me to someone who could.
Kidwell & Gallagher Injury Lawyers has spent more than three decades fighting for injured workers across Reno and northern Nevada. We handle everything from first filings to denied claim appeals and permanent disability disputes, and we do it exclusively for injured workers.
Nevada’s workers’ compensation system is built to be complicated, and insurers count on that. If you need a Reno workers’ compensation lawyer with a proven record inside that system, call our team for a free case review.
When injured workers in Reno try to handle a workers’ compensation claim on their own, they often run into problems quickly. The insurance adjuster may be difficult to reach, medical treatment may be delayed, wage replacement checks may be lower than expected, or the worker may not fully understand what benefits they are legally entitled to receive.
Kidwell & Gallagher Injury Lawyers helps injured workers navigate every stage of the Nevada workers’ compensation process. Craig W. Kidwell has exclusively represented injured workers for more than 23 years and has personally handled more than 2,000 workers’ compensation claims.
Our team explains your rights, deals with the insurance company, helps protect your medical and disability benefits, and fights to make sure your claim is not undervalued, delayed, or unfairly denied.
Most people think workers’ compensation works like a lawsuit, where you have to prove someone was at fault. It does not. Nevada workers’ compensation is generally a no-fault system, which means an injured worker may qualify for benefits without proving that the employer caused the accident.
Instead, the key issue is whether the injury or occupational illness happened in the course of employment. If the injury is work-related, workers’ compensation may cover medical treatment, wage replacement, permanent disability benefits, vocational rehabilitation, and other benefits available under Nevada law.
What catches many workers off guard is how workers’ compensation can affect other legal options. In many cases, workers’ comp is the main remedy against an employer. However, a separate third-party claim may still be available if someone other than your employer caused or contributed to the accident. Our article on whether employees are indemnified in a workplace accident explains where Nevada law draws that line.
What you do in the hours and days after a workplace injury matters more than most people realize. A single misstep early on can give the insurer grounds to cut or deny what you are owed.
Nevada law requires you to notify your employer within seven days of the accident, but reporting immediately is always the safer move. The longer you wait, the easier it becomes for the insurer to question whether the injury is genuine.
After reporting the injury, seek medical care promptly and use a provider authorized by your employer’s insurer unless the situation requires emergency care. Your doctor should complete the required workers’ compensation claim paperwork, including the Employee’s Claim for Compensation / Report of Initial Treatment, commonly known as the C-4 form.
Document your symptoms at every appointment, because gaps in treatment give insurers room to argue your injuries are less serious than they are.
Three mistakes that commonly damage claims:
Our article on whether you can sue after accepting workers’ compensation coverage, when a separate lawsuit against another party may still be available.
Under NRS 616C.020, you have 90 days from the date of the accident to file a claim with the insurer, provided you sought medical treatment or missed work because of the injury. For workplace fatalities, an eligible family member has one year from the date of death to file. These are firm deadlines. Missing them forfeits your right to benefits regardless of how serious the injury is.
A Reno workers’ compensation lawyer from Kidwell & Gallagher will do everything possible to ensure you receive the best result possible. We know workers’ compensation benefits are vital to your recovery, so we fight for your right to this benefit. Here is what you can expect when working with our law firm:
Read more: 5 Critical Facts About Workers’ Compensation in Nevada
Not every workplace injury looks the same. A construction worker struck by falling equipment and a nurse with chronic back pain from years of patient handling both have valid claims under Nevada law. Covered injuries include:
With more than 21 years of experience in complex litigation cases in Nevada, I’ve represented injured workers in Nevada through all stages of Nevada’s complex worker’s compensation system. I regularly appears in all levels of Nevada’s administrative workers’ compensation system and I’ve represented injured workers in Nevada’s districts and Supreme Court.
Craig W. Kidwell
Founding Attorney
If you are hurt or injured at work, you should immediately let your boss, manager, or supervisor know about your injury at your earliest convenience. According to the Nevada Association of Employers, you have seven days to file a workplace injury notice form after the accident and 90 days to file a compensation claim. The following is a step-by-step guide that you should follow after experiencing a work-related injury:
Notify your employer and fill out a Notice of Injury or Occupational Disease Incident Report within seven days of the date of injury. Give this form to your employer, who will be required to hold onto it for the next three years.
Seek the medical treatment you need right away. Once you have received medical assistance, request that your physician fill out the Employee’s Claim for Compensation / Report of Initial Treatment form. This form must be filled out within three days after your medical treatment visit. It must be completed and turned back in, or your physician will receive a fine of up to $1,000.
Continue your medical treatments. If you do not, an insurance company may use this against you and say that your injury or illness is not severe. If your doctor says you cannot work for a certain period, follow their orders. Not obeying your doctor’s instructions can and will be used against you by insurance companies.
Hire an experienced, knowledgeable, and skilled workers’ compensation lawyer to assist you with the process. This legal process is tough to go through alone, and a dedicated attorney may help increase your chances of winning the fair amount of workers’ compensation you deserve.
You have 90 days to file a claim for compensation, which you should do at your earliest opportunity. We do not recommend waiting until the last minute, as these claims can take time to process. If you do not meet the 90-day deadline, there is a high chance that your claim will not be accepted.
Wait patiently, as the insurance company might review your claim for the next month. They have 30 days after receiving your claim to accept or deny the claim. If you have hired an attorney, they will help you file your claim and appeal the decision if it is denied.
While awaiting the insurance company’s decision, do not sign or speak to anyone about your claim. Your Reno workers’ compensation attorney will handle all communication regarding your workers’ compensation claim. This is because we do not want you to sign or say anything that could lead to your claim being denied or reduced. If you have any questions or concerns, Kidwell & Gallagher Injury Lawyers will be glad to assist you with the workers’ compensation process, provide our legal advice, and explain your rights. Call our Reno workers’ compensation attorney to begin working on your case for compensation today.
When a workplace injury cuts off your income and drives up medical bills, Nevada law entitles you to benefits that cover both.
Medical benefits cover all reasonable and necessary treatment, including doctor visits, surgery, physical therapy, prescription medications, and medical equipment.
If the injury keeps you out of work during recovery, temporary total disability (TTD) benefits replace a portion of your wages in the meantime.
Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits compensate workers with lasting impairment who can still work in some capacity. The benefit amount is based on an impairment rating, a physician’s formal measure of how much the injury has permanently limited your body’s function.
When an injury ends a worker’s ability to return to any paying work, permanent total disability (PTD) benefits apply. Workers who cannot go back to their prior role may also qualify for vocational rehabilitation to cover retraining costs.
Insurers routinely undervalue benefits. If the numbers do not look right, they can be disputed.
Workers’ compensation claims are not always straightforward, and the insurer’s interests are rarely aligned with yours.
Read more: When Should You Hire a Workers’ Comp Lawyer?
We work with the five types of Nevada workers’ compensation benefits:
For more information about our workers’ compensation lawyers in Reno, NV, contact Kidwell & Gallagher at (775) 323-COMP (2667).
Kidwell & Gallagher Injury Lawyers brings a depth of workers’ compensation experience that few Nevada firms can match. Craig W. Kidwell has exclusively represented injured workers for over 23 years and has personally handled more than 2,000 claims.
Not every attorney who handles workers’ compensation cases treats it as a primary focus. Before hiring anyone, find out whether workers’ compensation is the firm’s main practice or something they take on occasionally. Find out whether the attorney you meet will be the one working your case, or whether it will move to someone else after the intake.
Experience inside Nevada’s administrative hearing system matters too, not just experience filing initial claims. A free consultation tells you quickly whether an attorney has handled cases like yours before or is figuring it out as they go.
Here is what clients have shared about working with our team.
“These two are specialists in two related fields, personal injury and workmen’s comp. Both they and their staff were VERY responsive to me and my questions, and handled my case with patience and competence. I would, of course, hope to never need them again, but would not hesitate to consult and hire them.” — I. E. Music
“I feel like Kidwell & Gallagher went above and beyond for me. Craig himself and his staff are so nice and helpful. I would highly recommend this law office for your workers’ comp/injury needs. You will not be disappointed.” — Ashley
“The best place to go if you need good hometown lawyers. They are very informative and kept us updated on what was going to happen throughout our case.” — Jim Mathers
“Was the best experience. We told them the problem, and they took over everything. It was such a relief. Always there to answer any questions and help as fast as possible.” — Marcela Abrams
Our Reno office is located at 580 Mt Rose Street, Reno, NV 89509. From this office, Kidwell & Gallagher Injury Lawyers helps injured workers throughout Reno, Sparks, Washoe County, Carson City, Fernley, Fallon, Elko, Lovelock, West Wendover, and nearby northern Nevada communities.
If you were hurt at work, denied workers’ compensation benefits, delayed medical treatment, or received a settlement offer that does not reflect the full impact of your injury, our Reno workers’ compensation team can review your claim and explain your options during a free consultation.
With over 45 years of combined experience, Kidwell & Gallagher has the experience to help you with any type of workers’ compensation claim. We will work diligently to prove that you were injured and fight for the workers’ compensation needed to help you through these tough and frustrating times. If this sounds like a good fit, please fill out our contact form to schedule a meeting with our Reno attorneys and get legal help for workers compensation in Reno.
Not in Reno? We also offer workers’ compensation legal services in the following areas:
Craig W. Kidwell is the managing partner of Kidwell & Gallagher, Ltd., and exclusively represents injured workers in Nevada. Mr. Kidwell has been practicing workers’ compensation law in Nevada since 1999 and has acted as lead counsel on over 2,000 contested workers’ compensation claims. Mr. Kidwell represents injured workers in Nevada through all stages of Nevada’s complex worker’s compensation system. Craig regularly appears in all levels of Nevada’s administrative workers’ compensation system and has represented injured workers in Nevada’s districts and Supreme Court.
When you schedule your free consultation with a workers comp lawyer in Reno, Nevada, you should come prepared with specific questions for us to address.
Nevada offers a few different types of workers’ compensation benefits. Depending on your injury and circumstances, you may qualify for compensation under one of the following benefits:
Temporary Total Disability
This benefit is for individuals who are completely disabled and cannot work for five consecutive days. As a result, they will receive economic support when they cannot work. A doctor’s certification is required to qualify for this benefit.
Temporary Partial Disability
This benefit is for individuals who are back at work but earning less than before the injury. They will receive financial assistance to help pay for some of the difference.
Permanent Partial Disability
This benefit is for those who have lost some of their body functions and cannot complete their full amount of work. It will help compensate for their permanent disability.
Vocational Rehabilitation Maintenance
This is financial assistance that an injured worker receives when training for a different job or position. For example, if they can no longer do the job they did before their injury, they may need to be trained for a different position. This money will pay them while they go through the training process.
Permanent Total Disability
When a person can no longer work because of their work injury, they will receive permanent total disability for the rest of their life. This will help them pay for their bills and expenses while still maintaining a decent life without working.
The maximum amount of workers’ compensation in Nevada is 66.33 percent of your average monthly income. This is the amount you will receive if you are injured on the job and cannot work for an extended period. However, it may depend on which type of benefit you need. For example, the amount for permanent partial disability is based on your age, income, and the percentage of disability. Contact our attorneys today if you need help determining how much workers’ compensation you may receive.
Workers’ compensation attorneys in Nevada typically work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless your case results in a recovery. Attorney fees are regulated by Nevada’s workers’ compensation system and are generally calculated as a percentage of the benefits recovered. There are no upfront costs and no hourly billing. At Kidwell & Gallagher Injury Lawyers, injured workers can consult with our team at no charge and move forward with representation without any out-of-pocket expense.
It depends on whether the insurer accepts or fights the claim. An accepted claim with no complications can wrap up in a few months. Contested cases are a different story. Denied claims, permanent disability determinations, and appeals can last one or two years, sometimes longer.
The insurer’s most common delay tactic is challenging whether the injury was actually caused while doing your job. An attorney who has been through that process repeatedly knows how to keep things moving and where the pressure points are.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Managing Partner, Craig W. Kidwell who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
