Tips for Preparing for a Consultation with a Workers' Compensation Lawyer
Posted on: 11 February 2019
In many cases, workers' compensation cases can be handled by filling out a few forms and submitting them to your employer's workers' compensation insurance company. However, if issues arise, such as your claim being denied or problems being compensated for lost wages, it may be necessary to hire a lawyer to assist you. If you have a complicated compensation case, it is essential to hire an experienced workers' compensation lawyer to represent you. Before hiring a lawyer, it is in your best interest to schedule consultations with several lawyers to ensure that you hire the right one. Use the following tips to help you prepare for a consultation with a workers' compensation lawyer:
Prepare a Timeline
Prior to meeting with one of these lawyers for a consultation, it can be very helpful to prepare a brief timeline of events that will give the lawyer an overview of your case. This timeline should include pertinent information, such as the date you were hired, the date when the injury occurred, details of where and how the injury occurred, information about how you notified your supervisor of the injury and how it was recorded, the date when you first received medical treatment for the injury, and a list of the medical treatment that you have received up until the date of the consultation.
Gather Necessary Documentation
In addition to creating a timeline, you should also bring important documentation with you to the consultation with a workers' comp lawyer. This includes a copy of the incident report from the time of your injury, medical records relating to the workplace injury, names and contact information for your medical providers, contact information for anyone who may have witnessed the accident that caused your injury, and any paperwork that you may have received either from your employer or their insurance company regarding your workers' compensation claim.
Understand the Fees
Almost all workers' compensation lawyers work on contingency, so you will not be responsible for paying for services out of pocket. Instead, workers' compensation lawyers receive a portion of your settlement as their fee. Each state has their own rules and caps on what percentage of a settlement a workers' compensation lawyer can receive, so make sure that you talk to each lawyer about their fees and ensure that you understand them. You should also ask how additional fees, such as the cost associated with requesting records or hiring expert witnesses in the event of a trial, are handled—many lawyers will cover the upfront costs for these things and then deduct the expenses from your settlement.
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