If you sustained an injury at work, you should file a workers’ compensation claim to recover medical costs, lost wages, and other expenses.
However, this process isn’t always straightforward. The workers’ comp lawyers at Morris Law LLC say that lawyers can help you gather evidence and represent you when negotiating with your employer’s insurance company.
Here’s what to look for when hiring a workers’ compensation attorney.
Transparency and Communication
If you’re filing a workers’ comp claim, it’s important to understand your options to adopt the right strategy. A trustworthy lawyer will take the time to review your options and explain how they can negotiate with your employer’s insurance provider before considering taking the case to trial.
Find out how often the workers’ comp lawyer plans on communicating with you. Workers’ comp cases can take months to settle, and it’s crucial to have a legal representative who will give you regular updates and actively work on your case.
When communicating with your lawyer, you should feel that they are genuinely listening to your concerns and taking the time to answer all your questions and explain the workers’ comp process in detail.
Ideally, your workers’ comp lawyer should offer different communication options, reach out with regular updates, and respond quickly if you have a question.
Experience
Before you hire a workers’ comp lawyer, find out how much experience they have with this type of case. Ask how many similar cases they have handled and find out more about their track records.
An experienced lawyer should have successfully negotiated several settlements with workers’ comp insurance providers. They should also have plenty of experience representing clients in workers’ comp hearings.
Look for online reviews or ask for references to learn more about their past cases. A good workers’ comp lawyer should be transparent about their track record and success rate.
No Upfront Costs
It’s a common practice for workers’ comp attorneys to work on a contingency fee. This billing model means that you’re not paying any upfront costs. Instead, the lawyer will receive compensation if the outcome of the case is favorable.
In most cases, workers’ comp lawyers receive a percentage of the settlement they negotiate on your behalf.
Look for an attorney who offers this billing structure instead of charging an hourly rate since receiving a percentage of the settlement ensures your lawyer’s interests align with yours.
Trust Your Gut Feeling
In 2021, there were more than 2.6 million cases of non-fatal work related injuries. More than 5K were fatal, and many prevented workers from continuing work.
Sustaining an injury or illness at work can have serious medical or financial consequences. Working with a professional you trust to represent you in this situation is crucial.
Most law firms offer free initial consultations during which they will review your case and discuss a potential strategy.
Scheduling a consultation is a great way to get to know a workers’ comp lawyer better and see how you feel about working with this person. Trust your gut feeling during this initial meeting.
Does anything feel off about the consultation? Is the lawyer dismissing your concerns? Does it sound like they’re saying what you want to hear?
Don’t hesitate to ask questions during this initial consultation. Ask if they have worked on similar cases in the past, what the outcome was, and which strategies they plan on using to negotiate a settlement. You can also ask about their current workload and how much time they can dedicate to your case.
Wrap Up
Hiring the right workers’ comp lawyer can significantly impact the outcome of your case. The right professional will inform you of your legal rights, help you negotiate fair compensation, or represent you during a hearing if your case goes further.
Take the time to talk to different lawyers to ask about their track records and get a better idea of how they approach these cases.