4 ways you can use to find the right workers’ compensation attorney for your claim
An on-the-job injury is an unpleasant experience by all accounts. Not only are you hurt, you are undoubtedly incurring huge financial costs, lost wages and enduring difficult medical treatment.
Recovering financial losses and compensation for painful injuries sometimes requires the assistance of an experienced workers’ compensation that knows the laws and how they can obtain the benefits you’re entitled to.
There are many ways to locate a workers’ comp attorney in your city or state. After you have a list of three or four referrals, meet with each one of them before making your final choice. Read on for 4 ways you can locate a qualified workers’ compensation attorney.
4 ways to locate the right workers’ compensation attorney
1.Family, friends and acquaintances
One thing we instinctively do when looking for something important is ask family and other people in our lives we trust. Searching for a workers’ comp attorney is no different. If someone has used a workers’ comp attorney before, they can refer you to them and give a firsthand accounting of how they feel their case was handled.
2.Internet directories, internet searches and YellowPages
One popular place many are turning to locate workers’ comp. attorneys is online searches. A lot of lawyers today have a website and are even listed in a specialized workers’ compensation attorney directory. Point your web browser to a search engine like Google and enter your city/state location with the words “workers’ compensation attorney”, “workers’ compensation lawyer”, you get the idea.
You can also pick up your phonebook and find a lot of attorneys listed in the yellow pages.
3.Other Lawyers
Any attorneys you may know would be a great help in finding a good workers’ compensation attorney. Remember, not all lawyers do the same thing. A real estate attorney isn’t going to be much help in your workers’ compensation claim. But don’t worry about offending your legal friend, attorneys refer business to one another all the time so chances are they know someone that can handle your case.
4.Bar Association
Another way you can locate a good workers’ comp attorney is through your local or state’s bar association. Most even have a referral service organized by practice area but each state’s association works differently. Some bar associations only list attorneys with a certain amount of experience while others simply list all lawyers in good standing. Before relying on a particular service, find out the qualifications an attorney must have to be included on their list.
Now I have a list of 3 or 4 attorneys, now what do I do?
Once you have your list of 3 or 4 workers’ comp attorneys, it’s now time to meet with each of them individually. Most lawyers do not charge an initial consultation fee but if they do, scratch them off your list.
Bring all documentation including any police reports, hospital/medical information, income loss information, witness statements and anything related to your claim to the initial meeting. Organizing your legal documentation means your attorney can get right to work for you.
During the interview, be sure you get clear answers to the following questions:
- How long have you been practicing law?
- What percentage of your practice is devoted to workers’ compensation law?
- Do you represent plaintiffs or defendants?
- Attorneys currently representing defendants are not what you want for your situation. Their interests and mindset are too closely aligned with the very people you are suing.
- But attorneys with past experience like this can be useful. They may have insights into making your case stronger and may know their counterparts on the other side, which can make your case go smoother.
- Is the lawyer you meet with handling the case or will they pass it off to a less experienced attorney? The attorney you meet with may only handle the tough parts while less experienced lawyers in the firm handle routine administrative tasks.
- What is their track record? How many cases have they won and the amount of damages awarded?
After making your final decision, you’re not done. Be sure you have a written fee agreement with the attorney that is clear and keep in touch with them to make sure your case progresses like it should.
We invite you to check out our workers’ compensation attorney directory at WorkingManLaw.com to find the right workman’s comp attorney for your case today.
