3 Tips For Selecting The Right Workers' Compensation Attorney

While most people are able to file workers' compensation claims without any issues, there are situations that can be more difficult. If your employer's workers' compensation insurance company denies your claim or you are dealing with backlash from supervisors or managers for filing a workers' comp claim, it is typically in your best interest to hire an experienced workers' compensation attorney. A workers' compensation attorney will not cost you any money out of pocket—instead, your attorney will receive a percentage of the settlement amount that you are awarded. Use the following tips to help you select a workers' compensation attorney to represent you.

Use an Attorney Referral Service

When you're looking for reputable workers' compensation attorneys, your best bet is to use an attorney referral service. Most state bar associations offer attorney referral services for a variety of legal specialties including workers' compensation cases. When you use attorney referral services offered by your state's bar association, you can rest assured that the prospective lawyers on the list are accredited by the bar and are available to take your case. It is in your best interest to write down the contact information of several different workers' compensation attorneys that you find through your state's bar referral service.

Schedule Consultations

Almost all workers' compensation attorneys offer free consultations for potential clients. Since these consultations are complimentary, it is a good idea to schedule several consultations with different workers' compensation attorneys in your area. This will give you the opportunity to ask questions, determine which attorney you feel most comfortable working with, and discuss what percentage of your settlement the attorney will require for payment. You may want to bring a notebook and a pen with you to each consultation so you can take notes, which can help you determine which attorney you want to hire.

Have the Necessary Information Available

When you meet with different workers' comp attorneys during consultations, it is important to bring important information associated with your case. This information can include the original incident report from the time of your injury, medical records, the letter of denial from the insurance company, and any other communication that you may have had with the insurance company. A workers' compensation attorney will need all of this information so they can determine if you have a valid case. Also be prepared to discuss your workplace injury in depth and explain all of the details of what happened.