Workers Compensation Lawyer
When choosing a worker’s compensation lawyer it is important to be deliberate and careful with your choice. As with any legal issue the choice of attorney is entirely your choice. The best place to start looking for an appropriate attorney for your worker’s compensation claim is with family and friends. Referrals from people you trust are always the most reliable source for a recommendation of prior good service.
If you or your family and friends do not know any attorneys then the internet, the yellow pages, or other consumer advertising may provide you with assistance. However, when you use this type of advertising, please be extremely careful. The law offices that have the flashiest or largest ads may not be the best qualified to handle your workers compensation claim.
Compile a short list of attorneys from your research and call each office to ask for a free consultation to discuss your workers compensation issues. Before arriving at each law office, ensure that you prepare a number of questions that you would like answers to and also bring any documentation you may have related to your employment and injuries.
Some important factors you may want to consider when choosing a worker’s compensation lawyer include the following:
Specialty: Does the attorney work exclusively or nearly exclusively in the worker’s compensation field? Or does the attorney practice in a different area and might be using your case to “learn off your back?”
Divided Loyalties: Although an attorney is prohibited from taking your case if they have an undisclosed conflict of interest, some worker’s compensation attorneys represent employers as well as employees. It is your choice as to whether you feel more comfortable working with someone who exclusively is an advocate for employees or with someone who might have more experience knowing what the employer’s attorneys are thinking.
Track Record: A track record of success is no guarantee that your worker’s compensation claim will be successful, but it should give you an indication that you are in competent hands. If the firm will allow you to speak with previous claimants they have represented then you should be further encouraged.
Financial Strength: Most worker’s compensation attorneys work on a contingency basis. Working on an hourly basis does not necessarily mean the attorney is less competent to handle your particular issues but it should invite questions as to whether he or she has the means to fully handle your case.
Longevity: As with any other profession, experience is the tree of knowledge. A more experienced attorney is less likely to waste time or money on tricks or red herrings presented by the opposing side.
Openness: Ensure that you choose an attorney that will call you back. Too often attorneys ignore clients until they feel it is necessary to contact the client themselves. As a client, you deserve to be well informed of the status of your case.
When you have finished consulting with each attorney on your list, hopefully you have found an attorney that you feel comfortable working with. Worker’s compensation claims are complex and might take a significant amount of time to handle, so it is important that you choose carefully.
If you have any additional questions, or if you are located in Ohio and would like to schedule a free detailed evaluation of your car accident case, please feel free to telephone the law offices of Jonathan J. Schlegel at 614 725 5270 or visit them online at schlegel-lawfirm.com.