If you've suffered an on-the-job injury leaving you unable to work, you might be eligible for workers' compensation.
A worker's compensation claim is meant to help cover your medical expenses and lost wages after a work accident.
If you've been injured on the job, one of the most important you can do is contact an experienced workers' compensation attorney.
Deciding who will represent you after a workplace injury claim is one of the most critical decisions in the entire claims process.
Experienced law firms will b ensure you get the compensation required to recover from your injury.
Choosing the right lawyer after a work-related injury requires asking the right questions.
In the article below, we will go over a list of questions you should ask to ensure you work with an experienced lawyer who can handle your case.
Table Of Contents
- Should I Hire An Attorney For Workers Compensation?
- Important Questions To Ask a Workers' Compensation Lawyer
- Questions To Ask a Workers Comp Attorney Before Hiring Them
- What To Bring to Your First Meeting With Your Workers' Compensation Attorney
- Speak to An Experienced Workers Compensation Attorney Near Me
Should I Hire An Attorney For Workers Compensation?
In a perfect world, you'd never get injured at work.
In a slightly less-perfect world, you would only suffer minor injuries, and there would be no question about whether or not you would get benefits.
But we don't live in either of the worlds, and not every workplace accident occurs in an ideal situation.
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may need a worker's compensation law firm to make sure you receive a fair settlement.
There are a few situations where a personal injury lawyer is necessary to file a workers compensation claim.
For example, if you have severe underlying health conditions, your employer could use them as an excuse to deny your compensation benefits.
Issues may also arise if your employer refuses to acknowledge your injury occurred at work.
A workers comp lawyer will establish the link between your injury and your work.
And even if you get money from your employer's compensation insurance company, you might worry about how your wage loss benefits are calculated.
An incorrect calculation could leave you with fewer benefits than you deserve.
And that could leave you on the hook for some of your medical bills or other expenses.
A workers' compensation attorney can ensure maximum compensation to pay for quality medical care.
Important Questions To Ask a Workers' Compensation Lawyer
What If The Accident Was My Fault?
If your workplace accident was deemed your fault, you're probably wondering if you can still get workers' comp benefits.
Unlike most personal injury cases, workers' comp claims are not fault-based.
Unless you were doing something illegal or engaging in extreme behavior, fault doesn't matter and should not affect your injury claim.
What Benefits Do I Qualify For?
One of the most important questions you can ask is about the benefits and compensation you should be receiving.
If you were injured in the workplace, you are at minimum entitled to compensation to cover medical treatments and rehabilitation required for your recovery.
Worker's comp insurance should cover anything needed to get you well to return to work.
Some victims are also entitled to temporary or permanent disability benefits to cover lost wages or compromised earning potential if they miss considerable work.
Your attorney will be able to give you a good idea of the possible outcomes for your claim in terms of what kinds of benefits you may expect to receive.
What Do I Say To The Claims Administrator?
A claims administrator will handle your workers' compensation claim on behalf of the company that insures the employer.
They will likely want to speak to you to verify details about the cause of your injury and to offer information about the availability of medical treatment and medical providers.
Always be careful not to say something that they might misinterpret in a way that could hurt your case.
Getting legal advice from a lawyer knowledgeable in workers compensation laws will help you avoid problems when the time comes to settle your claim.
Sometimes it's better to let your attorney do all of the talking.
Questions To Ask a Workers Comp Attorney Before Hiring Them
You need to ask potential attorneys a few questions before deciding to hire one.
Take advantage of free consultations so you have a chance to ask questions about the attorney's experience.
Here are a few questions you should consider asking:- How long have you been practicing law?
- How often do you handle workers' compensation claims?
- Have you ever represented clients with injuries similar to mine?
- What's your success rate in worker's compensation cases?
- Will you personally be handling my case?
Once they've answered these questions, you can start discussing strategy.
Ask the lawyer to explain the strengths and weaknesses of your case, whether settlement or mediation is an option, and ask them what they think your claim could be worth.
Additional questions you ask should involve their fees and costs.
You need to know how much the attorney will charge and whether there are other legal expenses related to filing a lawsuit.
Most workers comp lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, so discuss this with them.
What To Bring To Your First Meeting With Your Workers' Compensation Attorney
Bring as much information about your workplace injury as possible for the attorney to review during your initial consultation.
Come prepared with relevant documents and materials to help the attorney determine whether you have a valid claim.
Here are just a few documents you should have with you during your free consultation:
- A summary of your workplace accident
- The date of the injury
- Your employment records
- Recent pay stubs or bank statements
- The name and contact information of the supervisor who received notice of your injury
- The date you gave the notice
- A copy of the written notice
- The name and address of the facility where you received treatment
- Contact information for your treating physician
- The dates of treatment
- Medical records related to your treatment and diagnosis
- Medical bills/medical expenses incurred
- Photographs of your injury
- The contact information for any eyewitnesses
- A copy of any accident reports created by your employer
- Emails or letters between you and your employer about your injury claim
Having this information available will help the attorney better understand the issues that may be involved with your claim.
The earlier you get your lawyer this information, the quicker the claim can proceed.
Speak to An Experienced Workers Compensation Attorney Near Me
If you're looking to partner with a lawyer with experience with worker's compensation claims, be sure to ask them some of the questions we talked about above.
Working closely with an attorney from Helping The Hurt will prevent you from missing deadlines and ensure that the proper documentation is filled out correctly and promptly.
We have a highly experienced legal team ready to assist you with your workers' compensation case.
Our work injury attorneys believe you are entitled to workers' compensation benefits.
Helping The Hurt offers new clients a free case review with one of our work injury experts.
If you have been injured on the job, do not hesitate to call or click the button below to get started.
References:
https://www.findlaw.com/injury/workers-compensation/important-questions-to-ask-a-workers--compensation-lawyer.html
https://bruscatolaw.com/blog/questions-to-ask-a-workers-comp-lawyer/
https://injuredworkerlaw.com/ten-essential-questions-to-ask-your-workers-comp-lawyers/
https://www.lawyernc.com/workers-compensation-lawyer/preparing-to-meet-with-a-workers-compensation-lawyer/
https://mycomplawyers.com/hire-workerscomp-attorney/#Why_Should_You_Hire_a_Workers_Comp_Lawyer