If you were hurt on the job and are thinking about hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer to help you get the money you deserve, you probably have some questions about the process.
Choose carefully who will handle your workplace injury claim; this is one of the most important steps in the whole process. It is best to work with a lawyer who is just as committed to getting justice as you are if you want to be successful with your workers’ compensation claim.
Suppose youre just at the beginning stage of the claims-filing process. Most likely, you have a lot of important questions about the benefits you will get, how to deal with the insurance company and claims administrator, and how to talk to your boss. And if you were seriously hurt, you’ll have even more questions about your job prospects and how to get better.
No matter what kind of questions you have, the first thing you should do to get the answers you need is to talk to an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer. It’s the job of a workers’ compensation lawyer to look out for your best interests and help you make choice along the way.
I’ve put together a list of the best questions you should ask an attorney before hiring them to make sure you get the right one for your case.
Getting hurt at work can be very stressful and cause problems in your life. If your injury keeps you from working and making money, you may be able to get workers’ compensation. To get the most money from your workers’ compensation claim, you need to hire an experienced lawyer to handle it.
Interviewing potential attorneys allows you to find the best legal partner for your situation. Asking the right questions will reveal their expertise in this specialty and track record obtaining favorable outcomes for clients.
Here are 12 essential questions to ask when interviewing workers’ compensation attorneys
1. How long have you practiced workers’ compensation law?
Look for an attorney with extensive experience specifically handling workers’ comp cases vs, general personal injury, Ask how many years they’ve specialized in this area and how many cases they’ve handled Longevity demonstrates in-depth knowledge navigating the complexities of the workers’ comp system
2. What is your success rate obtaining benefits for injured workers?
Understand the attorney’s track record fighting for maximum settlements or awards at trial if the cases don’t settle. Ask for percentage rates of cases won, average settlement amounts, and examples of large verdicts secured. High success rates show the attorney’s skill advocating for clients.
3. What experience do you have with my type of work injury?
Check to see if the lawyer has helped other people with injuries like yours, like brain injuries, falls, repetitive strain, and so on. Their specific experience means they will know how to prove your claim and get you the right amount of money.
4. Are you familiar with the workers’ comp laws and process in my state?
Each state’s workers’ comp system has unique laws, procedures and quirks. The rules in your area must be well known to your lawyer, and they must know how to successfully handle the local process.
5. What is your philosophy for handling workers’ comp cases?
Get insight into how the attorney approaches these cases and protects clients’ rights. Do they take an aggressive stance against insurance companies? Do they prefer settling out of court or litigation? Their strategy should align with your goals.
6. Will you be the main attorney handling my case?
Find out if the lawyer you meet will directly oversee your case or if it will be assigned to a junior colleague. You want assurance the most experienced attorney will be managing your claim.
7. How does your fees structure work?
The majority of workers’ comp attorneys work on contingency, taking a percentage of your settlement amount as payment. Ask upfront what their fee percentage is and what it covers so there are no surprises.
8. What is the claims process and timeline?
A knowledgeable attorney will walk you through the typical stages of a workers’ comp claim and provide a realistic timeline so you know what to expect. This demonstrates their deep understanding of the end-to-end process.
9. How will you keep me updated on my case status?
Open communication is key. Discuss how often you’ll meet and the methods (phone, email, etc.) they’ll use to keep you informed of progress. Make sure you’ll get regular case updates.
10. How do you determine what a claim is worth?
An experienced attorney will have proven formulas to calculate potential settlement value based on injury severity, lost wages, medical treatment costs, recovery time, etc. Verify they know how to accurately assess fair compensation.
11. How do you ensure the best possible settlement?
Ask about negotiation tactics they use to maximize settlement offers from employers/insurers. Look for savvy negotiators who won’t accept lowball offers and have strategies to demonstrate a claim’s worth.
12. Can you provide references from past clients?
Speaking to a former client gives helpful insights into working with the attorney. Quality lawyers will gladly provide references who can vouch for their expertise and commitment to clients.
Thoroughly vetting workers’ comp lawyers prepares you to choose the best legal representative. Partnering with an attorney who listens and clearly communicates while aggressively protecting your rights can result in the fairest outcome for your situation.
Do You Have Experience Taking Cases to Court?
In most cases, workers comp claims will be resolved out of court with a settlement. However, if you think the settlement offer is too low, then filing a lawsuit may be the next best thing to do to get the money you’re owed.
If you even have a chance of going to court, you want to make sure that your lawyer has a lot of experience doing that. They don’t have to be trial lawyers all the time, but they should have enough experience and confidence to take cases to court.
Have You Represented Clients with Similar Injuries as Mine?
In addition to getting more information about your lawyer’s experience as a workers’ compensation specialist, it’s also a good idea to find out if they’ve helped other people with injuries like yours.
If it turns out that they have, then it stands to reason that they can and should represent yours too. In other words, you want to make sure this isnt your lawyers first rodeo. If they have represented clients like you, your experience will likely be more productive.
Workers Compensation Attorney Macon GA – Interview Questions They Can Not Ask You
FAQ
Can you ask about workers comp claims in an interview?
