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If you’ve been injured at work, you’re likely entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits. However, it can be difficult to navigate the system alone.
Experience
While there are some situations where a workers’ compensation lawyer is unnecessary, most injured workers have far better results with a skilled attorney. An experienced attorney will know how to handle the many nuances of the system, such as filling out forms, what you can and cannot say, and how to present your case best.
In addition, they will be familiar with the insurance company and understand how to negotiate a favorable settlement. This experience will be critical if the insurance company tries to deny your claim or offers the bare minimum for your injury.
An experienced workers’ comp lawyer, such as the professionals at law firms like Erwin, McCane & Daly, can help you pursue other civil claims. For example, if your accident occurred because of defective equipment, you may be eligible for a product liability claim against the manufacturer. In some cases, this may lead to a larger settlement than what you would get from the insurance company alone.
Reputation
A good workers’ compensation attorney will have a solid reputation. Ask your friends and family about whom they worked with in the past, and look for reviews online.
If you find many negative reviews, it may be a sign that this attorney isn’t the right fit for you. However, keep one bad experience from turning you off from working with an attorney altogether.
It’s also important to consider how your lawyer communicates with clients. Some attorneys prefer to text, while others like to talk on the phone or send long emails with in-depth explanations. If you prefer, ask your prospective workers’ compensation lawyers how they handle their communication. The right fit will put your needs first and work tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome for your case. Please fill out our workers’ comp quiz to connect with a local lawyer who will prioritize your case. We’ll match you with a qualified lawyer for free if you’ve filed a claim.
Fees
Getting injured or sick at work is stressful enough. Add in the stress of filing a workers’ compensation claim, loss of income, and growing medical bills, and it can quickly become overwhelming.
Hiring an experienced attorney can help ease the process. Attorneys also can guide whether it is best to accept a settlement offer from the insurance company or take your case to court.
Most workers’ compensation lawyers charge a contingency fee. That means they only get paid if they win the case. This arrangement prevents you from coming up with large sums of money to pay your lawyer.
However, fees vary by state. Some states limit how much an attorney can charge for a worker’s comp claim. Other states have eliminated statutory fee caps because of recent court rulings. So, you should always ask your attorney how much they would charge if they won your case.
Personality
You want to choose a lawyer who cares about you and your goals. Ask how many cases they’ve worked on and review their contract to make sure all fees and expenses are clearly explained. Lawyers who work on a contingency fee basis are usually more motivated, as they only get paid when you win.
Also, consider how they communicate with you. Some lawyers text, some call, and others write lengthy emails that contain in-depth explanations. While this might seem unimportant, how a lawyer communicates can greatly affect how quickly you receive your information and how your case progresses. The right lawyer will help you stay informed every step of the way.
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