Workers’ comp is a critical resource that many people don’t think about until they truly need it. Unfortunately, despite being the difference between staying afloat through adversity or spiraling out of financial control, many people make a workers’ comp claim and promptly face nothing but obstacles.
That’s when a workers’ comp lawyer is absolutely essential to get you the compensation you deserve in a timely and effective manner.
However, with this being such a critical time in your life with a lot at stake, it’s important to choose the right workers’ comp lawyer for your case.
Today, we’re going to go over 6 tips that you need to keep in mind when choosing a workers’ comp lawyer.
1. Experience in Workers’ Comp Law
The lawyer might be a general term, but you’ll find that the vast majority of lawyers, and even entire law firms, do not take a general approach to their practice. Instead, they specialize in specific areas of law.
There are lawyers for medical malpractice, work injuries, dog bites, car accidents, injury cases, and everything in between.
The reason for this focus on specialization is that there are so many laws dedicated to each specific area of law that mastering all of them to a reliable degree and maintaining that mastery in an ever-changing legal landscape, is practically impossible.
As such, you want a lawyer who specializes in workers’ comp law. They simply have a deeper understanding of the laws that will affect your case, and they can more effectively navigate the courtroom in a way that brings you to victory.
Of course, many lawyers don’t specialize in a single area of law. Especially if it’s a firm with multiple lawyers working together with different specialties, usually, a lawyer will work in a few different areas of law that are adjacent to one another because they’re close enough that maintaining a respectable mastery of the ever-changing laws is practical. So, if a lawyer is capable of taking on a handful of different types of cases, that’s perfectly normal.
2. Don’t Look for the “Best”
There is no such thing as the “best” lawyer in every regard. Every case is unique, every lawyer has their strengths and weaknesses, and while one lawyer might be amazing for your case, they might not be the best option for someone in a somewhat similar situation.
Instead of focusing on finding the highest win rate, trying to find the most highly recommended option or similar traits, focus on finding a lawyer that matches your case as well as possible. This ensures that you’re choosing a lawyer who is going to work well with the unique traits of your case rather than getting a very generalized view of their reputation and just expecting them to do great.
3. Look at Their Portfolio
Every lawyer keeps a portfolio of their most notable cases. This is similar to a resume, but instead of handing it over to employers to convince them to hire them, they give it to you so you can see their accomplishments and determine if they’re the right choice for you.
You should always look at a lawyer’s portfolio. Look at the types of cases they’ve handled and whether any of them are similar to yours, look at the outcomes, and get a good idea of whether they’re a good match for your case.
Remember that this is like a resume. They’re not going to put things in it that don’t highlight their strengths. However, it is a great first step to establishing whether they’re a good choice or not.
4. Get Recommendations
This is easier for some people than it is for others. If you know someone who has dealt with a workers’ comp issue and needed to take it to court, see who they got to represent them.
If someone you trust recommends a lawyer, that gives you a decent starting point for your search, and you might find a great lawyer right off the bat.
Of course, there are some issues with this. You can’t just immediately commit to that recommendation.
First, you might not know anyone who has been through this, and in that case, you can’t get recommendations from a trusted individual.
Then, there’s the issue that we talked about earlier where there is no “best” lawyer, and different lawyers are going to pair better or worse with different cases and clients. So, your friend’s lawyer might have been great for them, but they might not be good for you.
Put any recommendations on your shortlist, and use the rest of our tips to help determine whether they’re a good choice or not.
5. Read Reviews for Any Potential Lawyer
Lawyers get reviewed just like any other service provider. If they do a great job and help someone get the justice they deserve, that person will likely leave a glowing review that reflects that. If they don’t do well, and the person thinks that things could have gone differently if the lawyer performed better, they’ll let everyone know that, too.
You can find reviews for lawyers in the same places you find them for everyone else.
Simply take your list of potential options, and start Googling each one.
A key point with this is to remember that reviews aren’t perfect indicators of a lawyer’s performance. If a review is a little too positive, it might not be legitimate. If it’s too negative, it might just be a disgruntled client who lost at no fault of the lawyer. You want to look at reviews that provide genuine information highlighting what the client did or did not like.
6. Speak to the Lawyer First
Do not commit to a lawyer without having a face-to-face consultation with them. Remember, this is a serious time in your life, and a lot is on the line. Your lawyer will be a pivotal part of your case. You should meet them and learn a bit about them before you commit based on marketing and reputation-based tidbits such as reviews.
Secure the Compensation You Deserve with DeSalvo Law’s Workers’ Comp Expertise
Facing a workers’ comp case can be challenging, but having the right lawyer by your side makes all the difference.
At The Law Office of Scott D. DeSalvo, we specialize in workers’ compensation cases and are dedicated to ensuring you receive the benefits and compensation you’re entitled to. Whether you’re dealing with a workplace injury, denial of benefits, or need guidance through the legal process, we are ready to fight for your rights.
Don’t go through this difficult time alone—let Scott D. DeSalvo Law provide the expert legal support you need. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward protecting your future.
