Key Questions To Ask Before You Hire A Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Workers’ compensation is a system that can help pay for medical bills and even cover part of the money you lose when you can’t work.

But workers’ compensation rules can be very confusing. They are not easy to understand on your own. You can choose to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer who knows the rules, has experience with cases like yours, and can help you avoid mistakes.

But before you decide which lawyer to hire, you should ask the right questions. These questions will help you understand if the lawyer is the right fit for you and if they can truly fight for your rights.

Do You Specialize In Workers’ Compensation Cases?

Some lawyers focus on family law, some on criminal law, and some on personal injury. What you want is a lawyer who focuses mostly on workers’ compensation cases. Why does this matter? Because workers’ compensation has its own set of rules and deadlines.

A lawyer who works on these cases every day will know exactly what steps to take. They will also know how insurance companies try to deny claims and how to push back when that happens. If a lawyer only handles these cases once in a while, they may not be prepared for the challenges ahead.

When you ask this question, pay close attention to their answer. A strong lawyer will be able to tell you how many years they have been working in this area and how much of their practice is devoted to workers’ compensation. The more focused they are, the better they can guide you.

Can I Sue My Employer?

A lot of people wonder if they can sue their boss after getting hurt at work. In most cases, the answer is no. Workers’ compensation is designed to replace the need for lawsuits between employers and employees.

How Much Will You Charge Me?

Money is always a concern when you think about hiring a lawyer. The good news is that most workers’ compensation lawyers do not charge you anything up front.

Instead, they work on something called a contingency fee. This means they only get paid if you win your case. Their fee is usually a percentage of the money you receive from your settlement.

Most states have laws that limit how much this percentage can be, usually between 10% and 20%. A judge often has to approve this fee. More experienced lawyers may charge closer to the higher end, but you will not have to pay out of your pocket if you don’t win.

Will You Handle My Case Directly?

Sometimes the lawyer you meet at first is not the one who handles your case. Instead, a junior lawyer or a paralegal may be assigned to do most of the work.

You can ask who will actually be managing your case day to day. It would be good to know who your main point of contact will be and how often you will get updates. Good communication is key.

Summary Points

• Make sure the lawyer specializes in workers’ compensation.
• You usually cannot sue your boss.
• Lawyers are often paid through contingency fees (they only get paid if you win).
• Always ask about their success rate and their experience with cases like yours.
• Ask who will handle your case directly and how they will communicate with you.