Hopefully, your professional life will go smoothly enough that you never have to file a worker’s comp claim. However, the situation is one that can always arise. If you wind up facing such a scenario, then your odds of a successful resolution move higher when you have the right legal professional at your side. Deciding to find one is a good choice. Finding the right one is the better choice, so it helps to know three things to consider when looking for a worker’s comp attorney.
1. Reputation
There are many ways to verify that an attorney or office has a great reputation. For starters, you can ask friends and family if they personally know an attorney that they can vouch for. Under the circumstances, asking around at work might not be a great idea. If that isn’t enough, go online to do research. Reviews and ratings on Google and Yelp are great places to look. You can also review attorneys in a state database through a bar association or maybe even the Better Business Bureau. Remember to balance the quality of reviews on average with how many there are. More reviews indicate an experienced lawyer who handles many cases for clients.
2. Relevant Experience
There are three kinds of relevant experience that you want to look for. The first is the professional experience in the realm of personal injury law. Secondly, you should narrow it down further to lawyers who have experience specifically in worker’s comp cases. Third, it’s not necessary but can be helpful to find worker’s comp lawyers who have previously handled cases involving your particular personal injury. While you shouldn’t rule out individual attorneys practicing alone, consulting a firm that has multiple lawyers on its staff might improve your odds of finding a specialist.
3. They Offer Free Consultations
Personal injury cases are typically handled on what is known as a”’contingency basis.” That means that the lawyers involved only get paid if you win compensation or negotiate a settlement. Your attorneys involved would receive a percentage of this. In most states, worker’s comp legal cases are handled the same way.
If you don’t have to pay unless there’s a win, then you shouldn’t have to pay for a consultation. Most reputable and trustworthy attorneys in any field will offer prospective clients a free consultation the first time they meet them. They can learn about your case and offer you their opinion about your odds of success, while you can get to know them a bit and decide if they’re a good match for you personally.
Key Takeaways
With a lot of mindful effort and a bit of luck, your professional hours should be a source of a steady income and personal satisfaction. Yet, the day may come that an accident happens and you need to file a worker’s comp claim. If you choose to look for a worker’s comp attorney, consider these three factors during your search:
- Their Reputation
- Relevant Experience
- Free Consultations
Also, list out other factors important to you personally so you can find the right worker’s comp attorney who can help you gain the compensation or benefits that help you recover your quality of life.
