Do you know what to do if you get injured at work? You’ll need a lawyer.
Workplace injuries are not uncommon and are something all employees should be aware of. It’s the kind of thing that can really put a damper on your day, and it could lead to months, or even years, of rehabilitation. This is why we’re going to talk about what you should do if you’re unfortunate enough to get hurt at work–how to find a lawyer and how to file your claim! So, read this article to know how you can get compensation for your injury!
1) Find A Personal Injury Lawyer
There are many different law niches out there. From divorce lawyers, criminal lawyers, and personal injury lawyers, there’s a lawyer for everyone. Personal injury is one of those niches that deals with cases where an individual has been physically or psychologically injured as the result of another party’s negligence. This means that if you’re injured as a result of your work activities, your employer may be responsible and liable to pay damages to you in a lawsuit. In order to file a lawsuit, you’ll need a lawyer that specializes in personal injury lawyer to represent you. As explained by the folks at Thomas Law Offices, there are many large law firms that have many different types of lawyers, but there are also some that specialize in a certain niche that deals only with personal injury cases. Do your research and find a lawyer that is experienced in personal injury law and who will be able to represent your interests.
2) Ask About Costs And Fees
Lawyers charge fees for their services, which include their time, experience, and talents. Fees should be fair and reasonable, and your lawyer should inform you of them as soon as possible. However, there are a few different types of fees that may be associated with a personal injury case.
The first is the contingency fee. This is a fee paid by the lawyer only if your case is won, and it ranges from 25% to 40% of the settlement amount. A retainer, on the other hand, is a sum of money that you must pay even before work has begun. There’s also an hourly billing fee, which is charged by the lawyer for his or her time spent on your case. Be sure to ask about all costs and fees, so you know how much it’s going to cost you–and if you can afford it!
3) Look For Someone With Experience
Having an experienced lawyer by your side can make all the difference in your case. If you have a strong, competent lawyer who has won many other cases just like yours, you’re much more likely to win. The best thing to do is search for lawyers who specialize in personal injury law through online reviews or by asking friends and family members if they have experience with lawyers in this niche. Just search for them online to see what people are saying about their services! You can also look for a lawyer by asking your local state bar association to see if they have any recommendations.
4) Ask About Win-Loss Ratio
In addition to experience, it’s also important to look into the win-loss ratio of your potential attorney. You should be able to find out how many times they’ve won and lost cases, so you know if their win percentage is high enough for you. This is important because if they’ve won a lot of cases, chances are that the lawyers know what they’re doing and will be able to win yours as well. Also, you should look for an attorney who has won similar cases to yours, so there’s less chance of losing.
5) Find Someone Who’s Easy To Communicate With
Personal injury lawyers deal with people who are often in pain, stressed out, and worried. This is why it’s important to find someone who makes the process easy and stress-free for you by being very responsive and understanding of your needs. This means that they should reply to any messages or phone calls made promptly and thoroughly answer any questions that you have. You should also feel comfortable talking to your lawyer about anything–no question is too silly or too embarrassing! If your lawyer doesn’t make you feel comfortable or isn’t easy to communicate with, go ahead and cross them off your list because it’s important for them to be someone that you can trust.
6) Choose Someone Who’s A Professional
It should go without saying, but you should choose someone who can act professionally and respectfully–especially during the deposition. Your lawyer should have an excellent knowledge of the law, thorough investigation skills, great negotiation skills, and be able to present your case in court well. They’re also supposed to be compassionate, empathetic to what you’re going through, and maintain your well-being as their priority. So, make sure to choose an attorney who’s carefully chosen for these attributes.
7) How To File A Claim?
Now that you have a lawyer, there are a few steps that need to be taken before you can get your compensation. First, the insurance company will offer you a settlement. This will be a lump sum that you receive as compensation to help with your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. Most lawyers recommend taking this settlement instead of going through arbitration or trial because it’s much easier to negotiate the claim now rather than if your case goes to court.
After accepting the offer, you’ll have to sign a waiver that releases the insurance company from any future legal action or obligation to pay. If you change your mind, you have a specific amount of time to cancel this waiver and reopen negotiations. It’s important to think carefully before signing anything!
However, you should always listen to the advice of your lawyer–they know what’s best for you and your case. If they think that you should take the settlement or some other option, then it’s probably right. Just make sure to get everything in writing before signing anything!
Getting injured at work can be a real hassle, but with the right lawyer by your side, you can make the process a lot easier. We’ve talked about some of the most important things to look for when choosing a personal injury lawyer, so hopefully, this will help make your decision a little bit easier. Remember to ask questions and take everything into account before making your final decision!
