What to ask a Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Individuals who apply for workers’ compensation frequently find their claims denied for various reasons. Once an initial claim is denied, the employee has the opportunity to appeal the decision. The appeal will likely involve a hearing. The process of appealing a claim can be complicated and intimidating, and that is why it is a good idea to seek the help of an experienced attorney to help you put together a strong case. If you are ready to meet with an attorney, here are some questions you might want to ask.

Do I have a strong case?

You will want to provide the attorney with facts about your case. Your attorney will know the law related to workers’ compensation claims in your state and he or she should be able to assess how strong your case is, and what you can do to strengthen your case.

How much will you charge for your services?

In most cases, workers’ compensation attorneys charge contingency based fees. This means that you will pay only if your case is successful, and that if it is successful, your attorney will get a percentage of your settlement. The percentage that a workers’ compensation attorney can charge is usually limited by the state’s law.

Who is going to be responsible for handling my case?

Many attorneys and other employees work in various roles at law firms, but you should ask who will be primarily responsible for your case, and what is his or her experience? You should know who is in charge and overseeing the progress of your case, and have an ability to access that person if you need to.

How often will I get updates from you?

Your attorney should give you an idea of how frequently you will be hearing from them regarding the status of your case. While requesting daily updates is probably not reasonable, you should have an understanding with your attorney that you will be kept informed about what is happening with your case.

What should I expect at the hearing or next phase of the process?

Your attorney is a valuable resource who should be able to give you information about what to expect is going to happen procedurally with your claim. While you have probably not been through the workers’ compensation process before, your attorney will be familiar with it, get him or her to let you know a bit of what to expect so that you feel more comfortable about what is going to happen.

Aside from attorney fees, what are the other costs to me of bringing a claim or appeal?

There are often time costs involved in challenging your claim. Attorneys often have arrangements where they will pay the cost upfront, but deduct it from your settlement if you win.

May I speak with any of your former clients?

You can ask for references from an attorney before hiring him or her. Being able to speak with someone who has been through the process with your attorney might be able to give you valuable insight on what their experience was with the attorney and how satisfied they were.

In addition to asking your attorney plenty of questions, you should give your attorney as much information about your case as you can. If you come to your meeting with detailed information about your work history with the company, the events that led to your claim, your medical records indicating what treatments you underwent and diagnoses you received, and all documents related to your claims process you will be arming that attorney with the necessary information to give you a complete assessment of your case.

Contact Stern Law, PLLC for A Free Consultation

At Stern Law, PLLC, we have compassionate and caring attorneys ready to work with you in order to find the best strategy for seeking compensation for your job related injuries. Contact Stern Law, PLLC today at (844) 808-7529 for a free consolation with an experienced attorney