Work Injury Attorney: How to Choose the Right One For Your Work Injury So You Get Compensated.

Work Injury Attorney: Picking the right lawyer can make all the difference in making sure you get everything Workers Comp law says you are entitled to after a work injury.

In 2015 and 2016, the private industry saw 892,270 cases of occupational injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work.

While the number of people getting sick or injured on the job has improved since OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Administration) started keeping stats in the 1970s, we still have a ways to go.

Getting hurt or sick on the job has a direct impact on your health and life. That’s why it’s so important to get the right help and advice as soon as possible.

But you need to find a work injury attorney who really knows what they’re doing. Here’s how to find the right one to handle your case.

Determine if You Really Need a Workers Comp Lawyer

Not all work injury cases will require a lawyer. Before you go ahead and do a lot of work, determine if you really need a work injury attorney. Here’s how to tell:

If your workplace injuries were so severe you required surgery, get an attorney. Even if they were moderate to severe, if you and your doctor believe your health won’t return to its condition prior to your injury, then permanent partial disability is a possibility.

You’ll need a work injury attorney if you can’t work at your current job but can work in some other type of capacity. And you’ll definitely need a lawyer if you can no longer work at all in any capacity.

Even if you had pre-existing disabilities, if you were injured or got sick, contact a lawyer.

Sometimes you’ll run into problems with your employer, their insurance company, or even your state’s workers comp division when trying to receive compensation. If you are, contact a lawyer to help you get the compensation you deserve.

Workers compensation is a difficult process. Sometimes, so is receiving medical benefits. When the process gets difficult, it’s time to connect with an attorney who can help you understand the process and receive the benefits you deserve.

Ask for a Recommendation

When you know it’s time to call in the experts, make sure you find the right work injury attorney. One way to do that is by asking your friends and family for a recommendation.

Ask the person making the referral why they used the attorney they’re recommending. Then ask them what they liked best about their lawyer.

Don’t forget to ask them what they liked least about working with the attorney. However, even if you get a great referral, do your due diligence to make sure they’re the best to handle your specific case.

Do an Online Search

Performing an online search is beneficial because you’ll find out a lot of information quickly. It will help you narrow down your search for the best work injury attorney.

Make sure to find one who is licensed to practice in the state where your injury occurred. Find out what their primary focus is within their practice. Not every attorney is equipped to handle your case.

If you were injured because of a defective product, find a lawyer who specializes in negligence cases involving defective products.

Check for online reviews. See what others are saying about the lawyer. Keep in mind, not all reviews are accurate. However, if they are mostly good reviews, it’s a good sign.

Check to see if any disciplinary actions were ever taken. Go to your state’s bar website. Make sure the work injury attorney is in good standing.

Don’t forget to check out the business websites for each attorney you’re thinking of working with. Make sure it looks professional and they handle your type of case.

Interview the Work Injury Attorney

Once you have located a few lawyers you think can help with your case, it’s time to do some interviewing. This is a crucial step in your process so don’t skip it.

Ask each work injury attorney about their trial experience. While it’s true that most cases settle out of court, you still want a lawyer who isn’t afraid to go to trial.

Inquire about their winning record. There’s a reason why some lawyers win while others lose. Hire one who has a record of winning their cases.

Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as possible. These questions are designed to help you determine which work injury attorney can handle your case.

Determine what their areas of specialization are. See if they’ve already handled cases like yours before and how many they’ve handled. Then ask what their verdicts were.

Ask who would be handling your case. Sometimes it’s just one attorney, other times, it may be a team. Make sure you know who the key point person is.

Do not forget to ask about the fee structure. Many times, lawyers base their fees on a contingent basis. Make sure you understand what percentage they’ll take. If they work on an hourly basis, ask what that fee is.

Another important question to ask a work injury attorney is how they plan to communicate with you. Ask how often you can expect to hear from them and who that person is.

Ask for References

Before you make your final decision, ask the work injury attorney for references. It’s important to question someone who has used their services before.

Make sure the reference they provide to you is of someone who went through a similar experience. Ask that person what they liked best about working with the attorney.

Ask them what they liked least and what they found most surprising. The more information you have, the better chance you have of finding a great attorney.

Trust Your Gut

During your process, if you’re treated rudely by the work injury attorney or anyone on their team, walk away. They aren’t going to treat you any better if you hire them.

Don’t hire anyone who won’t answer your questions or doesn’t communicate well with you. If it takes a week or longer to hear back from them, find another attorney.

If you find out they’ve been disbarred or other disciplinary actions have been taken, find another attorney.

In the end, trust your gut. Work with someone you feel comfortable and safe with.

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