Richmond Workers Compensation Lawyer

 

I’ve Handled Hundreds of Richmond Workers Comp Claims – Let Me Handle Yours

 

Quick Answer: A Richmond workers compensation lawyer helps injured employees recover wage replacement benefits (66⅔% of your average weekly wage), lifetime medical treatment, and compensation for permanent impairment after workplace accidents. I’m Corey Pollard – I’ve practiced workers comp law in Richmond for 15+ years, recovered $100+ million for injured workers, and tried cases before every deputy commissioner at the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission headquarters downtown, or faced off against them and every full commissioner when they were in private practice. If your claim has been denied or delayed by Sedgwick, Gallagher Bassett, ESIS, or another insurer, call me at 804-251-1620 for a free consultation.

 

If you’re hurt at work in Richmond, you’re searching for answers at the worst possible time. Bills are piling up. Your employer’s insurance company is asking questions that feel like traps. And you’re wondering whether the injury that just changed your life will also destroy your family’s financial security.

I’m Corey Pollard. I’ve practiced workers compensation law in Richmond for over 15 years, and I’ve recovered more than $100 million for injured workers across Virginia. My office is right here in Richmond, and the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission headquarters – where your case will likely be heard if you go to trial – is just a few minutes away at 333 E. Franklin Street in downtown.

 

Whether your injury happened at MCV in the medical campus, an Amazon fulfillment center off I-95 in Chester, a manufacturing plant in Southside, or a construction site in Scott’s Addition – claims from the Fan to Short Pump to Mechanicsville all funnel through the Richmond Commission office. I know these deputy commissioners. I’ve tried cases in front of every one of them. And I know how to win.

 

Call now: 804-251-1620

 

Why Richmond Workers Choose Me

 

Most workers comp lawyers in Richmond have only ever represented injured workers.

 

I haven’t.

 

I started my career on the defense side – representing insurance companies and employers. I’ve sat in the meetings where adjusters decide whether to deny your claim. I’ve seen the internal memos about setting reserves low and delaying payments. I know the playbook and the tactics.

 

Now I use that knowledge against them.

When an adjuster or insurance defense attorney representing Sedgwick, ESIS, or Gallagher Bassett sees my name on a claim, they know I understand their tactics. They know I won’t accept a lowball offer. And they know I’ll take the case to trial if they don’t treat my client fairly.

 

My credentials:

 

  • 15+ years practicing workers compensation law in Virginia
  • $100+ million recovered for injured workers
  • Super Lawyers honoree
  • Best Lawyers in America recognition
  • Multiple seven-figure settlements for injured workers
  • William & Mary undergraduate, University of Richmond School of Law
  • Defeated insurance defense positions in cases that changed Virginia workers comp law

 

Richmond Workers Comp Case Results

Results matter more than promises. Here’s what I’ve done for Richmond-area workers:

VCU Health System Nurse — Back Injury

A registered nurse at MCV injured her back transferring a patient. CorVel denied the claim, arguing the injury was degenerative. I obtained an IME with a spine specialist who confirmed the work injury caused her L4-L5 herniation. First offer: $52,000. Settlement: $215,000 plus a Medicare Set-Aside for future medical treatment.

Amazon RIC2 Warehouse Worker — Shoulder Surgery

A picker at Amazon’s RIC2 fulfillment center in Chester tore his rotator cuff reaching for bins on upper shelves. Sedgwick accepted the claim but pushed him back to modified duty before he was ready, then cut off his TTD benefits when he couldn’t perform the work. I filed for a hearing and obtained an Award Letter reinstating benefits. Settlement after surgery: $168,000.

Dominion Energy Lineman — Electrical Burns

A lineman suffered serious burns during equipment maintenance in Henrico County. The insurer disputed the extent of his permanent partial disability. I retained a vocational expert and life care planner to document his future limitations. Settlement: $340,000 plus lifetime medical for burn treatment and scar revision surgeries.

See more case results →

Think your situation is similar? Most of my clients weren’t sure they had a case when they first called. Let’s talk—804-251-1620.

Richmond Industries and Common Workplace Injuries

Richmond’s economy means I’ve handled claims from virtually every industry. Here’s what I see most often—and where I’ve developed specific expertise:

Healthcare (Bon Secours, VCU Health, HCA Virginia)

Richmond’s hospitals employ thousands of nurses, CNAs, techs, and support staff across campuses from the VCU Medical Center on Broad Street to St. Mary’s in Henrico to Chippenham and Johnston-Willis in Chesterfield. The injuries are predictable:

  • Patient handling injuries: Rotator cuff tears, herniated discs at L4-L5 and L5-S1, knee injuries from lifting and repositioning patients
  • Needle sticks and bloodborne pathogen exposure: Requires immediate reporting and prophylactic treatment
  • Slip and falls: Wet floors, rushed movements during emergencies
  • Workplace violence: Assaults from patients in psychiatric units and emergency departments

I’ve handled dozens of claims against Bon Secours, VCU Health System, and HCA Virginia facilities including Chippenham, Johnston-Willis, and Henrico Doctors’ Hospital. I know their TPAs, their panel physicians, and their settlement patterns.

Learn more about healthcare worker injuries →

Warehousing and Logistics (Amazon, UPS, Performance Food Group)

Richmond is a distribution hub. I-95 and I-64 intersect here, and major fulfillment centers line the Meadowville Technology Parkway in Chester, the Northlake area off Parham Road, and the Elko Road corridor near the airport. Common injuries include:

  • Repetitive stress injuries: Carpal tunnel, epicondylitis, rotator cuff impingement from constant reaching, lifting, scanning
  • Forklift accidents: Pedestrian strikes, tip-overs, loading dock falls
  • Rate pressure injuries: Amazon’s productivity metrics push workers to move faster than safely possible
  • Back injuries: Herniated discs, muscle strains from lifting packages without adequate recovery time

I’ve represented workers from Amazon’s RIC1, RIC2, and RIC5 facilities, UPS drivers and package handlers, and Performance Food Group delivery drivers.

Learn more about warehouse injuries →

Manufacturing (Altria, Philip Morris, DuPont, WestRock)

Richmond’s manufacturing sector creates serious injury risks:

  • Chemical exposure: DuPont and chemical facilities create risks for burns, respiratory illness, and toxic exposure
  • Machine injuries: Amputations, crush injuries, degloving from packaging and processing equipment
  • Repetitive motion: Assembly line work causes carpal tunnel, trigger finger, and chronic tendinitis
  • Hearing loss: Occupational hearing loss from years of equipment noise often qualifies for PPD benefits

These claims often involve complex causation questions—proving the work environment caused your condition rather than aging or outside factors. I’ve won these fights repeatedly.

Transportation (CSX, Norfolk Southern, Estes Express, trucking companies)

Railroad workers have separate protections under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), but many Richmond transportation workers are covered by Virginia workers comp:

  • Truck drivers: Motor vehicle accidents, loading/unloading injuries, repetitive stress from driving
  • Dock workers: Forklift incidents, falling cargo, slip and falls
  • Delivery drivers: Dog bites, assaults, vehicle accidents, lifting injuries

Government and Education (City of Richmond, Henrico County, VCU, UR)

Public employees face unique issues. Some are covered by the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) disability benefits in addition to workers comp. Coordinating these benefits requires experience.

  • Police and fire: Line-of-duty injuries, PTSD, heart/lung presumptions under Virginia Code § 65.2-402
  • Teachers and school staff: Assaults, slip and falls, repetitive stress
  • Maintenance workers: Equipment injuries, chemical exposure, falls

What Benefits Can You Get?

Virginia workers compensation provides several categories of benefits. Here’s what they mean in real dollars:

Temporary Total Disability (TTD)

If you can’t work at all after your injury, you receive 66⅔% of your pre-injury average weekly wage.

Example: If you earned $1,200/week before the injury, your TTD rate is $800/week. Virginia has maximum and minimum rates that may apply—see our TTD page for current figures.

TTD continues until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI) or return to work.

Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)

If you return to light duty but earn less than before, you receive 66⅔% of the difference between your pre-injury wage and your current earnings.

Example: You earned $1,200/week before injury. Light duty pays $600/week. Your TPD benefit is $400/week (66⅔% of the $600 difference).

Learn more about TPD benefits →

Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)

Once you reach MMI, you may receive compensation for permanent impairment to the injured body part—even if you return to full duty.

Virginia uses a schedule of benefits based on body part and impairment rating. A 15% impairment to your arm pays differently than 15% to your back.

See the PPD schedule and calculation →

Medical Treatment

The employer’s insurer must pay for all reasonable, necessary, and causally related medical treatment—for life if needed. This includes:

  • Hospitalizations and surgeries
  • Doctor visits and specialist referrals
  • Physical therapy and chiropractic care
  • Prescription medications
  • Durable medical equipment
  • Mileage reimbursement for medical appointments

But you must follow the panel physician rules and referral chain, or risk having treatment denied.

Vocational Rehabilitation

If your restrictions prevent returning to your pre-injury job, you may be entitled to vocational rehabilitation services—job counseling, retraining, and placement assistance.

Caution: Don’t request vocational rehab until you’ve reached MMI or had a functional capacity evaluation (FCE). The insurer may use premature vocational rehab to push you back to work before you’re ready.

The Insurance Companies You’re Fighting

When you’re hurt at work in Richmond, your employer probably won’t handle the claim directly. Instead, you’ll deal with a third-party administrator (TPA) or insurance company. Here’s who I see most often:

  • Sedgwick — Handles claims for Amazon, many healthcare systems, and large retailers
  • Gallagher Bassett — Administers claims for government entities and large corporations
  • ESIS — Chubb’s TPA, handles many manufacturing and transportation claims
  • CorVel — Known for aggressive utilization review and IME referrals
  • Helmsman Management — Liberty Mutual’s TPA

These companies profit by paying less on claims. I know their tactics because I used to deploy them. Now I fight back.

Dealing with Sedgwick, CorVel, or Gallagher Bassett? I know their adjusters, their defense firms, and their delay tactics. Let’s talk about your claim →

Ready to Talk? Call Me Now.

I offer free consultations. You pay nothing unless I recover benefits or a settlement for you.

804-251-1620 — I’ll call you back within 24 hours if I miss you.

Richmond Workers Comp Hearings: Deputy Commissioners Who Will Decide Your Case

The Virginia Workers Compensation Commission headquarters is at 333 E. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Because this is the main Commission office—not a regional satellite—Richmond cases often move faster through the docket, and you have access to the full bench of deputy commissioners rather than the one or two who rotate through smaller venues.

If your claim requires an evidentiary hearing, it will happen here—and one of these deputy commissioners will decide it:

James J. Szablewicz, Chief Deputy Commissioner — The most experienced deputy commissioner on the bench. Runs a formal courtroom. Expects preparation.

Frederick M. Bruner, Deputy Commissioner — Former defense attorney. Understands both sides. Appreciates concise, well-organized presentations.

John T. Cornett, Jr., Deputy Commissioner — I’ve gone toe-to-toe with Judge Cornett on complex medical causation issues. He digs into the medical evidence.

Angela F. Gibbs, Deputy Commissioner — Thorough reviewer of documentary evidence. Make sure your medical records tell a complete story.

Linda M. Gillen, Deputy Commissioner — Detail-oriented. Will catch inconsistencies in your testimony or medical records.

Brooke Anne C. Hunter, Deputy Commissioner — Newer to the bench but well-prepared. Expects the same from counsel.

Andrea White Lee, Deputy Commissioner — Also hears cases in Williamsburg and James City County. Patient with unrepresented claimants but expects attorneys to know the rules.

P. Randolph Roach, Jr., Deputy Commissioner — Former defense attorney. I’ve appeared before Judge Roach in dozens of hearings—he’s fair but expects you to prove your case with solid evidence.

I’ve appeared before every one of these judges. Some were opposing counsel when they practiced privately. That experience matters when your case is on the line.

Critical Deadlines You Can’t Miss

Virginia workers comp has strict deadlines. Miss them, and you may lose your right to benefits entirely:

Deadline Requirement
30 days Give your employer written notice of the accident and injury
2 years File a claim with the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission
Ongoing Report any change of condition within statutory timeframes

Don’t wait to see if your employer “does the right thing.” Contact me today to protect your rights.

Where Did Your Injury Happen?

I handle workers comp claims throughout the Richmond Metro Area and Central Virginia. If your injury occurred in one of these areas, I can help:

Claims from Goochland, Powhatan, New Kent, Charles City, Dinwiddie, and surrounding counties are also heard in Richmond.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not sure if you even have a case? That’s the most common call I get. There’s no charge to find out—804-251-1620.

Do I have a case if my employer says the injury was my fault?

Virginia workers comp is a no-fault system. It doesn’t matter if you made a mistake—as long as the injury arose out of and in the course of employment, you’re covered. There are limited exceptions for willful misconduct or intoxication, but ordinary negligence doesn’t bar your claim.

Learn more about workers comp eligibility →

Can I choose my own doctor?

Not initially. Virginia requires employers to provide a panel of at least three physicians. You must choose from that panel for initial treatment. However, once you’re in the system, you can follow the treating physician’s referrals to specialists—including ones not on the panel.

What if my claim is denied?

A denial isn’t the end. I file for hearings with the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission to challenge improper denials. Many of my biggest recoveries started as denied claims.

What to do when your claim is denied →

How much does a workers comp lawyer cost?

Nothing upfront. I work on contingency—I only get paid if you get paid. Attorney fees in Virginia workers comp are regulated by the Commission and typically come from a percentage of the recovery.

Get a Richmond Workers Comp Lawyer Who Knows How to Win

You didn’t plan to get hurt at work. But now that you are, you need someone who knows Richmond, knows the Commission, and knows how to beat the insurance companies at their own game.

I’ve done it hundreds of times. Let me do it for you.

Call 804-251-1620 or contact me online for a free consultation.

Corey Pollard is the managing partner of Corey Pollard Law in Richmond, Virginia. He has practiced workers compensation law for over 15 years and has recovered more than $75 million for injured workers throughout Virginia.