There are a number of things a good workers' comp attorney can do for you, from developing medical and vocational evidence to negotiating settlements to representing you at your hearing or on appeal.Having a dedicated, experienced workers' comp lawyer on your side can easily turn a losing workers' comp case into a winning one.
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 …
A workers' compensation lawyer can help you evaluate all of the most important facets of your legal claim and increase your chances of compensation recovery. This can be one of the clearest signs to get a workers' compensation lawyer because the workers' comp evaluators might believe that you are capable of returning to work or in working in ...
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First, you should know that it might be more difficult to find another workers' comp lawyer to represent you after you fire your first one. Rightly...
Now let's look more closely at some of the most common reasons injured employees get frustrated with their workers' comp attorneys—and when switchi...
As you no doubt learned when you hired your first lawyer, workers’ comp attorneys generally work for a percentage of the benefits the client receiv...
Lawyers generally prefer to take workers’ comp cases earlier in the process, when they have more opportunities to help. If you’ve already missed filing deadlines or lost at a hearing, it could be difficult to win compensation for you.
But if several attorneys say no, you may still file a claim and proceed on your own. Contact your state workers’ compensation agency to get information and the necessary forms. Some state agencies have free assistance programs or ombudsmen to help injured employees through the process.
If your lawyer is unavailable when you call, request that a phone conference or in-office meeting be scheduled. Make it clear at your next meeting that you expect better communication. Your attorney should listen to your concerns and take steps to improve communication in the future.
State law governs attorneys' fees in workers' compensation cases, and many states set a cap on the percentage and/or total amount they can charge—usually from 10% to 20% of the benefits. When more than one attorney has worked on your case, the lawyers split that fee according to how much work each has performed.
Attorneys who don't specialize in workers' comp tend not to understand the nuances of this complex field of law. If you're not confident that your lawyer has a solid grasp of the legal issues in your case, you'd be well-advised to look for a new one. Before you hire a replacement, make sure that attorney regularly handles workers' comp cases and can explain the relevant issues to you. Ask for references from former clients or other attorneys if you have any doubt.
If your lawyer is unavailable when you call, request that a phone conference or in-office meeting be scheduled.
If you're not confident that your lawyer has a solid grasp of the legal issues in your case, you'd be well-advised to look for a new one. Before you hire a replacement, make sure that attorney regularly handles workers' comp cases and can explain the relevant issues to you.
A good workers' comp attorney is a zealous advocate, not a passive observer. You are well within your rights to inquire (in a non-confrontational manner) precisely what steps your lawyer has taken to advocate on your behalf. Has she written a letter to your employer or the workers' comp insurer?
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.
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.
If no time period was agreed to, the check must be mailed fourteen (14) days after the judge’s order . The claimant’s attorney is required by Florida law to hold the settlement check in a special bank escrow account until it is safe to disburse the settlement funds. The settlement is then distributed per the closing statement that has been signed by the claimant and his/her attorney.
No. Florida workers' compensation settlements are purely voluntary. Neither the claimant nor the employer/carrier can force the other to settle the case. No judge or court can award a settlement or force either side to settle the case.
No. Flori da law does not allow an attorney to lend money to his client or even to advance money to his client to be repaid out of a pending settlement.
If the claimant is not represented by an attorney, the workers' compensation judge must review and approve all the settlement papers, review all the medical records, and will schedule a live hearing to take testimony about the proposed settlement. If the claimant is represented by an attorney, a live hearing is usually not required and the claimant's attorney will submit the settlement documents to the workers' compensation judge. Therefore, the settlement usually moves faster if the claimant is represented by an attorney.
Since settlements are voluntary, there are no rules on this. Either party may propose a settlement at any time and the case may be settled at any time, as long as the claimant is represented by an attorney. If the claimant is not represented by an attorney, there are additional rules governing settlements which involve additional paperwork, a requirement that the claimant wait to settle until he is placed at maximum medical improvement by all his doctors, a requirement that the settlement not be effective unless a workers' compensation judge approves it, and perhaps a live hearing in front of a workers' compensation judge.
No. Both the claimant and the employer/carrier can withdraw its settlement offer and refuse to settle but only up until the settlement proposal is accepted by the other side.
No. If the claimant tells his attorney to tell the employer/carrier that the claimant accepts a settlement offer, the claimant will be bound by the settlement offer and cannot later change his mind and back out of the settlement.