Any person who suffers a serious injury or illness at work should speak with an attorney. Many people choose not to do so because they believe they can handle the matter independently. However, the average person only knows some of the benefits they are entitled to. An attorney who handles workers’ comp cases routinely ensures nothing is overlooked when requesting compensation.
Choosing a Workers’ Comp Attorney
When looking for a workers compensation attorney, ask about their years of experience and how often they handle similar cases. Read reviews to learn about their attention to detail, trustworthiness, and knowledge. This information typically appears outside of marketing materials, so a person must research to find the right professional for the case.
Search Online
Many people start the search for a workers’ comp attorney online. Nolo offers a lawyer directory, as do other sites. These sites are a good starting point, but they are only the first step in the search for the right attorney. Visit each attorney’s website to gather more information.
Look on each attorney’s website for their experience with workers’ comp cases. If the practice is small and the attorneys take on all cases, it is best to look elsewhere. With larger firms, the attorneys may be divided into divisions, each handling a specific type of case.
See if the attorney is a member of professional organizations like the Workers’ Compensation Trial Lawyers Association. Spend time browsing the site to see if there is additional information about worker’s comp law and look for testimonials from former clients. The time spent reviewing attorney websites is well invested, as it helps narrow the list of potential candidates for the case.
Interview Attorneys
Once the list has been narrowed, interview each attorney. Please bring a list of questions to ask the attorney before hiring them. The attorney will also have questions about the case. Have a list of questions they should ask to learn more about the circumstances around the illness or injury. They need to know what happened to prove that the employer is responsible for any expenses related to the illness or injury.
If the attorney doesn’t ask questions, that should be considered a red flag. The same holds if the attorney offers a specific outcome. Nobody can say what a judge and jury will do if the case goes to trial, so attorneys should never provide hard and fast numbers regarding a potential settlement.
Respect and Confidence
No attorney should make a client feel ignorant. They should be professional when talking to clients and answer any questions. If the client didn’t have questions, they would handle the case independently.
The attorney should also address any concerns, explain the process, and offer advice on proceeding. A person should never hire an attorney who doesn’t inspire confidence. The case could drag on for months or years, so a good working relationship is needed. However, the attorney is one of many people the client will interact with. Administrative and legal assistants handle many aspects of the case, so spend time interacting with them before hiring an attorney. It is best to choose a different attorney if any person in the office is disrespectful or rude.
Nobody wants to change attorneys midway through a case. Doing so is challenging and may leave clients with a bill they must pay. To avoid this issue, spend time researching attorneys before hiring one. The right attorney will help each client get the best settlement for their workers’ comp claim, so continue searching until this attorney is found.
