Pointers for Choosing a Workers’ Compensation If you’ve been hurt while performing your job, you may have to use a workers’ compensation attorney to assist you in getting the benefits you’re entitled to. Start by asking friends, relatives and coworkers if they know someone they can recommend. People are usually eager to talk about their positive experiences with anyone they’ve worked with before. You can also contact your state’s bar association, the administrative body that handles licensing and disciplinary matters for attorneys in your state. Do Your Homework Before you start setting appointments, do a little background research on each attorney you consider. Know if the lawyer has a license to practice law and is not embroiled in any disciplinary cases. In most states, you will be able to look up attorneys according to name on the state bar website. Also, you can see how many years they have been practicing law and whether or not they have been subject to disciplinary action for unethical behavior.
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Some web research helps too. You may find ratings or reviews that offer a firsthand view of working with the attorney. Before you meeting with the lawyer, also ensure they represent injured workers and not employers and their insurers. Workers’ compensation attorneys generally work only for one side and never both.
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Assess Your Options With a number of lawyers on your list, call each of them to set up appointments. Workers’ comp lawyers usually don’t charge a fee for the first meeting, which can happen in person or through phone. If they can’t schedule a meeting right away, that could mean they have a heavy caseload and are very busy for your case. During this meeting, the lawyer will want to know a lot of things regarding your job, your injury as well as your medical treatment. This meeting can also give you a chance to assess the lawyer and if you want them to represent you in your case. You also have to know if the lawyer is a good listener, thoroughly understands the issues related to your case, and provides answers that are satisfying to you. In the end, you should be confident that your lawyer will adeptly handle your case, communicate with you from time to time, and give you advice and support for as long as you need it. Lawyers’ Fees During the meeting, inquire from the lawyer how they charge fees. In workers’ compensation cases, attorneys’ fees are generally controlled by state law and are computed as a percentage of the amount you get, so you won’t have to pay for an attorney from your own pocket. Finally, inquire about estimated costs, such as those paid to court reporters and expert witnesses, copying costs, etc., and if you will be paying for them.