The answer may surprise you. Since we are attorneys you may expect the answer to be a resounding “yes” but it really depends on your situation. The most common job related injuries are not serious and are reported quickly. This usually results in the employer taking responsibility for the situation and paying for the employee’s medical care. When everything goes this smoothly there is no need to get an attorney involved and the whole incident can be safely put behind you.
There are many other circumstances where hiring a Workers Comp Attorney is a necessity, and should be done as soon as possible.
A few of these include:
- When the injury is not reported
- When the injury is not witnessed
- When the injury is serious
- When medical care is discouraged by the employer
- When you get a Form 43 denying your benefits
These are all serious red flags that you need an attorney to represent your interests. An attorney can help you to avoid any missteps that might limit or even end the compensation benefits that you deserve. But the biggest advantage to having an experienced lawyer in your corner is the peace of mind. It is difficult and draining to heal back from a serious injury and sometimes it takes all of your concentration. With an attorney to help, you can just focus on getting better while they make sure you have the compensation you need to do so.
One of the biggest reasons people injured on the job do not consult an attorney is simply the cost. This should never stop you because:
- Most attorneys trained in workers compensation do not charge a fee for the consultation.
- Fees for workers compensation cases are fairly low compared to other legal cases. For the most part, the fees are 20% of some of the benefits you receive. Plus, the attorney usually does not take a payment until you are healed and receive the bulk of your settlement.
