Choosing the right workers’ compensation attorney is crucial. Consider whether they typically represent employees, employers, or insurance companies, review their retention agreement, check their experience and reputation, and observe how they relate to you during the initial consultation. Online research and word of mouth recommendations can also be helpful.
A workers’ compensation attorney represents employees, employers, or insurance companies for potential workplace injuries. Once you have made the decision to contact an attorney, it is very important to choose the best workers compensation attorney for your particular case. There are several factors that need to be considered, such as whether the lawyer typically represents the employee or employer and how the lawyer handles her expenses. Other considerations may include how much experience you have, how you are viewed by other clients and attorneys in your field, and how you relate to prospective clients during an initial meeting.
The first step in choosing the best workers’ compensation attorney is to check whether a particular attorney or law firm generally represents the employee, employer, or insurance company. It would be uncommon and possibly unethical for a lawyer to represent both employees and employers in his or her law practice. Many attorneys who represent employers, however, also represent employers’ insurance companies. There are typically far more attorneys representing employees than there are employers and insurance companies.
Next, a prospective client should ask his prospective attorney for a copy of the retention agreement. In most cases, a good workers compensation attorney will sit down and review the agreement with a prospective client as well. In general, there are laws that dictate how much money a workers compensation attorney can collect if he wins a lawsuit. The attorney may also charge a fee for the work he has completed if the case is resolved without going to trial. Clients can also collect costs such as stenographer fees, photocopying, legal research, medical records and expert reports.
It is also important to select a workers compensation attorney who has a lot of experience in the workers compensation field. Word of mouth is a great way to learn more about an attorney. Potential clients should ask their family and friends, particularly if they practice law, if they know a specific attorney. At a minimum, the attorney should also be in good standing with his or her local bar association.
Another way to find information about a potential workers’ compensation attorney is to search for information online. For example, check the lawyer’s website if they have one. Also, use online search engines to see if there are any reviews from past customers on legitimate websites. If a particular client was unhappy with his attorney, he may have vented his frustrations online. Additionally, there may be legal articles that the attorney had written and information about important cases or clients the attorney represented online, giving potential clients an idea of the attorney’s level of expertise.
One of the best ways to select the best workers compensation attorney is to consider how the attorney relates to his or her prospective client during the initial consultation. If she’s distracted, doesn’t seem to understand the issues surrounding the case, can’t answer simple legal questions, and can’t explain basic legal concepts, she may not be the best lawyer for the job. Also, if the lawyer or her staff is rude, irresponsible or unprofessional, other firms should be explored. If a prospective client follows her instincts, they will usually choose the best attorney for her case.
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