In 2017 alone, there were over 2.8 million nonfatal injuries and illnesses in private workplaces across the United States.
A workplace injury can cause you untold physical and emotional pain, put you out of work for months, and even leave you permanently disabled. The good news is employers are legally required to purchase workers compensation insurance, which provides financial compensation to injured workers.
If you’ve been injured on the job, you’ve to file a compensation claim. Unfortunately, the process can be complicated. This is why you need a workers compensation lawyer on your side.
Here’s how to find the best attorney.
Must Be a Workers Compensation Lawyer
There are several types of lawyers, each specializing in specific fields of the law.
If you’ve never hired a lawyer before, it’s easy to think that any type of lawyer can help you with any legal issue. Well, this isn’t entirely inaccurate, because there are general practice lawyers who don’t limit their practice to one particular area.
However, what you need is a workers compensation lawyer. This is the professional who understands workers compensation laws and is best placed to help you get a just compensation.
Licensed to Practice in Your State
Lawyers have to secure a state-specific license before entering the practice.
As such, you must focus on finding a workers compensation lawyer who’s licensed to practice in your state. If you live and work in Virginia, for instance, your lawyer should be licensed by the Virginia State Bar. This is especially vital because workers compensation laws vary from state to state.
And what if you live in Virginia but work in a neighboring state, say, Maryland? In this case, your lawyers should be licensed to practice in Maryland, because you will file your claim in accordance with Maryland workers comp laws.
Go for an Experienced Lawyer
While a newbie workers comp lawyers who are licensed to practice in your state is well qualified to represent you, your focus should be on finding an experienced pro, and here is why.
Workers comp claims are not easy to settle. It’s not uncommon for employers and their insurance carries to play hardball with claimants. They can reject your claim if you don’t have your facts right or offer to settle with less money than you deserve.
Yes, a newbie or inexperienced lawyer might be cheaper to hire, but they might not have the necessary skills to wrestle with your employer and their insurance company. On the other hand, an experienced lawyer has probably seen it all; they know when to push the buttons that will get you adequately compensated.
Attorney Reputation Matters
A lawyer can possess all the attributes described above, but it won’t count for much if their professional reputation is in the soil.
A reputable lawyer is reliable. They won’t abandon your case when things get tough or cut underhand deals with lawyers from the other side. A reputable lawyer has client interests at heart and puts on a spirited fight all the way.
To evaluate the reputation of a lawyer, go online and lookup ratings and reviews. What are past clients saying? If there are lots of negative reviews or comments, find another lawyer.
Get the Compensation You Deserve
In a perfect world, all workplaces should be free of health and safety hazards. But this isn’t a perfect world, meaning at-work injuries are always lurking.
If the unfortunate happens and you get injured, hiring a workers compensation lawyer will go a long way in ensuring you get the compensation you deserve. And with this guide, you’re now in a good position to find the best lawyer.
Good luck and be sure to explore our blog for more workplace insights.
