what to do when your boss ask if you hired an attorney for your workers comp case

by Wilmer Howell 6 min read

Your boss retaliates against you for filing a workers' comp claim. If your employer has fired you, demoted you, slashed your hours, reduced your pay, or engaged in any other form of discrimination because you filed a workers' comp claim, contact a workers' comp attorney immediately to protect your legal rights.

Full Answer

What questions should I ask before hiring a workers comp attorney?

When to hire a lawyer for a Workers Comp case?

Can I get by without an attorney after a workplace injury?

Nov 11, 2019 · The lawyer you hire for your workers’ compensation case can make a big difference in getting you the benefits you deserve. Once you’ve gone through the process of finding and researching workers’ comp attorneys, the next step will be to set up meetings with the lawyers you’re considering. Most workers’ comp lawyers don’t charge for initial consultations, …

What happens if my boss retaliates against me after I file workers'comp?

Jul 27, 2021 · One of the smart questions to ask a workers’ comp attorney that will show whether the attorney is ethical is how much your case is worth. A trustworthy, ethical attorney will not make promises they can’t keep. That includes promising you’ll get a certain amount of money. This is because workers’ compensation is not a lawsuit.

Why is workers comp so hard to deal with?

They are overworked, underpaid, and the law that governs what they owe you is very restrictive. So, if the adjuster is doing their job and fulfilling their responsibility to their employer, they often have to deny benefits. They control what doctors you see and control the money.

What is an attorney called?

In the United States, the terms lawyer and attorney are often used interchangeably. For this reason, people in and out of the legal field often ask, “is an attorney and a lawyer the same thing?”. In colloquial speech, the specific requirements necessary to be considered a lawyer vs attorney aren't always considered.

What does Esq stand for?

Esquire
"Esq." or "Esquire" is an honorary title that is placed after a practicing lawyer's name. Practicing lawyers are those who have passed a state's (or Washington, D.C.'s) bar exam and have been licensed by that jurisdiction's bar association.Dec 22, 2013

Is an attorney higher than a lawyer?

A lawyer is an individual who has earned a law degree or Juris Doctor (JD) from a law school. The person is educated in the law, but is not licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania or another state. An attorney is an individual who has a law degree and has been admitted to practice law in one or more states.May 9, 2020

When You Can Probably Represent Yourself

As a general rule, you may be able to get by without an attorney if all of the following statements are true: 1. You suffered a minor workplace inj...

What Your Attorney Will Do For You

In addition to making sure you file all the necessary forms and meet the deadlines, an experienced attorney will know how to gather the evidence ne...

Tilting The Scales in Your Favor

The workers' compensation system may have been intended to provide prompt and fair compensation to injured workers. But now, it seems to work mostl...

Do you have to settle a workers comp case before trial?

However, if your claim is denied or your employer refuses to provide the benefits to which you’re entitled, it’s more likely that you’ll have a hearing.

What are the benefits of workers compensation in California?

In California, workers’ compensation provides five basic benefits: medical care, temporary disability, permanent disability, supplemental job displacement, and death benefits. After reviewing the details of your case, your attorney will be able to tell you exactly which benefits you’re entitled to.

Gather Your Information

You should be ready with a brief summary of what has happened in your case so far. Lawyers like to go through events chronologically, so it will help to create a short timeline of the events, including:

Bring the Right Documents

You should also collect documents and other relevant information to bring to your meeting, including:

Prepare a List of Questions to Ask Your Workers' Comp Lawyer

Initial consultations are also an opportunity for you to evaluate whether you want to hire a lawyer. You’ll want to get a feel for whether attorneys you're meeting have the time and experience to handle your case, and whether they’re the best fit for you.

What does it mean when a worker is embarrassed?

At the time of an accident or injury a worker may be embarrassed, dazed or disoriented. They may not be thinking as clearly as they normally would, even if they have no outward appearance of injuries.

What is an adjuster's job?

They work for the employer’s insurance company. The adjuster’s job is to pay you the least amount of benefits and that is in the best interest of his or her employer. This is not to say that all employers or their insurance companies, are out to intentionally deceive people.

How can a claim be diminished?

Another way your claim can be diminished or denied is by not following your doctor’s treatment plan or advice. If your doctor orders follow-up tests or physical therapy, it is extremely important that you follow up on everything, even if you are feeling better.

Do insurance adjusters have your best interests at heart?

No matter how nice an insurance adjuster appears to be, do not believe he has your best interests at heart. They work for the employer’s insurance company. The adjuster’s job is to pay you the least amount of benefits and that is in the best interest of his or her employer.

Do you have to give a recorded statement?

You do not have to give a recorded statement or sign a medical authorization. Much like a criminal case, anything you say can and will be used against you. My clients are often shocked when they find out they were never required to give a recorded statement. The adjuster may tell you they can’t proceed with your claim until you sign certain paperwork.

How to keep track of doctor visits?

A good method to accomplish this is to purchase a separate calendar to keep track of your doctor’s visits and symptoms. It can be a wall or pocket calendar, or something as simple as a printout from your computer. Finally, make sure to keep copies of everything, including all costs associated with the injury.

Tips on how to handle communication problems with lawyers in workers' comp cases

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Is your boss above the law?

No one is above the law, including your boss. The National Labor Relations Act and a variety of statutes overseen by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission protect employees from hostile work environments, discrimination and unfair labor practices. There are also state and local regulations that employers must follow.

Can an employer break the law?

Some employers may break the law before you even get hired. The EEOC enforces laws that prohibit a dozen different types of discrimination and, in most cases, employers can't use those factors in hiring decisions or even ask about them during the interview process.

Can employers fire whistleblowers?

Retaliate Against Whistleblowers. Employers can't fire or take disciplinary action against a worker who complains about illegal activity at their workplace. "In states that don't have whistleblower laws, (employees) would have a claim against retaliation," Kluger says.

How many hours of overtime do you have to work to get paid?

Still, the rules on overtime are straightforward. The Fair Labor Standards Act requires employers to pay nonexempt employees overtime pay when they exceed 40 hours of work in a single workweek. Some states have more restrictive laws on the books.

How long does it take to get a civil case heard?

However, be aware it can take six months to a year or more for your matter to be heard, depending on the agency. Another option is to contact a private employment attorney. These lawyers can take civil action against an employer, which could lead to changes in the workplace as well as monetary restitution.

Do all workplace laws apply to every business?

Not all workplace laws apply to every business and employee. For instance, some small businesses may be exempt from certain requirements, and managers may not have all the same wage protections as hourly workers. What's more, state laws can vary.

Can an employer ask about your age before you get hired?

Some employers may break the law before you even get hired. The EEOC enforces laws that prohibit a dozen different types of discrimination and, in most cases, employers can't use those factors in hiring decisions or even ask about them during the interview process. That means a job application can't ask for your age, marital status, religion or plans to become pregnant, among other things.

What to do if you get injured on the job?

Make sure your employee gets the proper medical treatment if they’re injured on the job. If you need to, call the ambulance or take them to the emergency room . If their recovery requires time off from work, approve their request. Before filing a claim, you'll need to gather a lot of information.

Why is it important to understand workers compensation laws?

It is important to understand workers’ compensation laws in your state as both an employer and an employee. Workers’ compensation insurance can help protect your business and employees in events including falling on ice, injuries while moving office furniture, car accidents following client visits, and more.

What is workers compensation?

What Is Workers’ Compensation? Workers' compensation insurance helps protect businesses and their employees from financial loss when an employee is hurt on the job or gets sick from a work-related cause. Workers’ compensation is also known as workman’s comp, workman’s compensation, and workers’ comp. These terms all mean the same thing and help ...

How long does it take to file a workers compensation claim in New York?

New York, for example, requires reports to be filed within 30 days.

What is workers comp?

These terms all mean the same thing and help protect workers from potentially devastating costs of work-related injuries. It also helps protect employers from potential damages that could cripple a business based on workers’ comp claims.

What to do if an employee gets sick?

Your employee became sick due to their work. The employee gets injured because of job-related duties. If the employee gets hurt in the workplace. Make sure your employee gets the proper medical treatment if they’re injured on the job. If you need to, call the ambulance or take them to the emergency room.

Why do employees get injured?

The employee gets injured because of job-related duties. If the employee gets hurt in the workplace. Make sure your employee gets the proper medical treatment if they’re injured on the job. If you need to, call the ambulance or take them to the emergency room.