how to find a viable work comp attorney

You can find attorneys through the lawyers.com directory or your local bar association’s lawyer referral service. You might also ask friends, coworkers, and family if they've worked with a workers' comp attorney and, if so, whether they had a positive experience.

Full Answer

How do I find a workers'comp lawyer?

Look for any or all of the following: emphasis on workers' comp expertise, including years of practice. membership of professional organizations, such as t he Workers' Compensation Trial Lawyers Association. articles, blog posts, presentations, or …

How to get an expert opinion on a workers comp claim?

How to find potential workers' comp lawyers. To find a few candidates for lawyers who might take your case, ask friends or friends of friends for recommendations and check Nolo's Lawyer Directory. Then, plan to go into each lawyer's office for a consultation. Be prepared to ask the attorney some questions of your own.

Do I need a lawyer for my Workers Comp case?

This is the exclusive path to get compensation for a workplace accident or injury. Having a workers compensation lawyer from the very start of your work-related accident goes a long way towards ensuring fair (and often long-term) injury payments. Lawyer's fees are paid only from a successful workers comp settlement or benefit payments.

What should I look for when hiring a workers'compensation lawyer?

Aug 22, 2018 · Knowing how to find a good workers’ comp attorney is as simple as knowing how to identify a good one from an average one. One of the most important trademarks of a good attorney is experience. You will definitely want someone who is experienced to handle your case because he or she will be able to navigate through some of the curve balls and difficult …

Do all workers comp attorneys offer free consultations?

Virtually all workers' comp attorneys offer free initial consultations with prospective clients. While your lawyer will certainly ask you dozens of questions related to your claim, you should be asking just as many questions. Remember: This is a job interview, and you are the employer.

What is the initial consultation?

The initial consultation is a great time to evaluate the attorney's professionalism and demeanor when dealing with clients. A quality attorney will answer all your questions patiently and authoritatively, and will listen to and address your concerns.

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What a good worker's comp lawyer should do for you

A workers comp' attorney can help develop your case for permanent partial disability by knowing what your medical records need to include and by arranging for vocational experts to testify about your job's requirements or for medical experts to give testimony about your functional restrictions (what you can no longer do).

How to find potential workers' comp lawyers

To find a few candidates for lawyers who might take your case, ask friends or friends of friends for recommendations and check Nolo's Lawyer Directory. Then, plan to go into each lawyer's office for a consultation. Be prepared to ask the attorney some questions of your own.

Check the lawyer's credentials

Before you consider a lawyer, make sure the lawyer is an active member of your state bar and has no record of bar discipline. You can do this by visiting your state bar's website or calling the state bar association. All lawyers in Nolo's Lawyer Directory are active bar members and have been screened for disciplinary actions.

Ask about the lawyer's experience

Ask how many years the lawyer has been practicing workers' comp law, what percentage of his or her clients are workers' comp clients, and what the attorney's success rate is. Also ask whether the lawyer is a member of a workers' comp association or has a board specialization or certification in workers' comp.

Check on attorneys' fees

Inquire about how much the lawyer charges, what costs you'll be liable for, and whether you'll owe these costs if you lose your case.

Get the lawyer's opinion

Finally, don't forget to ask for the most valuable piece of information: how strong a case does the attorney think you have and what kind of a settlement value does the attorney estimate that you could get for your injury claim.

What does an attorney do for you?

A lawyer will file the paperwork on time, build your case, negotiate with the insurance company and draft a settlement, if one is agreed on. If it’s not, you’re headed for a hearing.

How long does it take to file a workers comp claim?

Reporting regulations and deadlines vary from state to state, but it should typically take no longer than 30 days to complete this process.

Can SSDI be reduced?

You plan file for Social Security disability benefits – Those benefits, known as SSDI , may be reduced by workers comp benefits. A lawyer can structure your settlement to minimize or eliminate the offset. Your employer retaliates against you – If you are fired, demoted, have your hours cut or are pressured to return to work too soon, ...

Do attorneys cross-examine witnesses?

An attorney not only will prepare your argument, he or she will prepare you to say the right things in testimony. They also will cross-examine the insurance company’s witnesses. That job should not be left up to amateurs. Unlike civil cases, workers compensation law has a safety net of sort.

When is a settlement final?

When an employee represents himself or herself, the settlement is not final until the judge approves it. They can reject the settlement if they feel it’s not reasonable and the employee is getting a raw deal. But the settlement usually has to be grossly unfair for a judge to reject it.

What can a worker's compensation lawyer do?

Workers' compensation lawyers can assist with matters arising out of workplace injuries -- including back and spine injuries and construction-related accidents.

Is it a good idea to research your lawyer before hiring?

It is always a good idea to research your lawyer prior to hiring. Every state has a disciplinary organization that monitors attorneys, their licenses, and consumer complaints. By researching lawyer discipline you can: