In an ideal situation, you don't need to hire a workers' compensation lawyer if you're injured in the workplace. Once you present your claim, your employer or insurance company agrees to pay you the benefits immediately. In reality, workers' compensation cases can be complicated with employers' and insurers' tendency to avoid paying claims. Thus, workers' compensation lawyers are very important as they can help you when filing claims to ensure you receive the benefits you deserve. Read on to learn more.
What Do Workers' Compensation Lawyers Do?
Workers' compensation lawyers are mainly concerned with workplace injuries. If your workplace-related injury results in pain, financial losses, medical bills, or inability to work again, and you believe your employer's negligence led to the injury, you're entitled to compensation. The attorney will represent you until you receive the benefits.
While it's possible to handle your own claim, the process can be daunting if you're not conversant with legal matters. Your attorney will help you gather medical evidence, perform legal research, handle appeals, and draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and other documents. If need be, they will also represent you in court.
How Much Will You Pay a Workers' Compensation Attorney?
If you're worried that you can't afford the legal fees needed by an attorney, you don't need to. Typically, workers' compensation lawyers will represent you on a contingency fee basis. You will only pay the fees after winning the case.
Again, in most states, legal fees are capped by law, so you can't be charged exorbitant prices. During your first meeting with your attorney, they should explain how much you're expected to pay if the case is successful.
What Happens After Hiring a Workers' Compensation Lawyer?
After hiring an attorney, the next task is to prove that your employer's negligence caused your injury and you deserve the benefits. If you manage to do that, you will either receive a settlement outside court or get compensation through a judge in a court. Many employers will want to settle the matter outside a court to reduce liabilities.
In most cases, the benefits will come in the form of installments. If the worker involved in the injury has passed away, the payments can also be made to their family. While it's not guaranteed that your claim will be successful even with an attorney, you have a better chance of winning and also getting the best possible deal with the help of a competent workers' compensation lawyer.
To learn more, contact a workers' comp attorney in your area today.
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