what do i expect from a free consultation with a workers comp lawyer

What to expect in your free consultation with a workers’ compensation lawyer? A free consultation with a workers’ compensation lawyer serves two purposes. First, it is a chance for the attorney to get to know you and your situation so that they can get a better idea of how the case may play out.

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What is included in a free consultation with a workers’ compensation attorney?

A free consultation with one of our workers’ compensation attorneys will provide you with at least three things: We can put together a summary of the important facts of your case for you. You can use this summary regardless of whether you decide to hire us or another attorney to handle your case.

How to get an expert opinion on a workers comp claim?

Or, you can ask an attorney for their expert opinion with a free consultation. Contact an Attorney More About Lawyers Lawyer When to Hire a Workers Comp Lawyer Get a Free Claim Evaluation

Should I hire a lawyer for a workers comp claim?

Hiring a lawyer for a workers comp claim is a question every injured worker faces and the truth is that most situations – injured ankle, cut on the arm, sore back – are easily treated and won’t require more than a bag of ice, a trip to the doctor, a few aspirin and some rest.

Do I have to pay for a consultation?

As you can see, we try to make our consultation process as straightforward and helpful as possible. There is no obligation on your part in requesting a consultation. Instead, we offer free consultations as a way for you to understand your rights under the law and then decide if we might be able to help. We look forward to hearing from you.

What will I get from a free consultation?

A free consultation with one of our workers’ compensation attorneys will provide you with at least three things:

Does a Free Consultation Cost Me Anything

No. There is absolutely no charge for this consultation. In this situation, free means absolutely free.

How long will the consultation last?

The consultation usually lasts somewhere between 15 and 30 minutes. During this time, we will discuss the facts of your case and how we might pursue your case if you decide to hire us.

Do I have to come into your office to have a free consultation?

No. We are happy to meet with you in person, but the consultation can be done over the phone as well. We can even do consultations via email.

How Much Will It Cost If I Decide To Hire You As My Attorney?

Even if you do decide that you need to hire us after the free consultation, it still will not cost you anything unless we recover money for you. This is because we handle workers’ compensation cases on a contingency fee contract. This is different than attorneys that work by the hour or require that you pay money up front, known as a retainer.

How Can I Schedule a Free Consultation?

A free consultation with one of our workers’ compensation attorneys is easy to set up. There are two ways to do it.

What if I have other questions about workers compensation?

Georgia’s workers compensation system can be very confusing. You have to worry about getting the treatment you need and paying your bills while also worrying about not missing any deadlines that could cause you to lose your right to receive workers compensation benefits.

CHECKLIST: What to expect and how to prepare for your lawyer consultation

After an injury at work, you might have lots of questions about your rights and compensation. In order to get answers, one of the first steps you might take is to speak with a workers’ compensation attorney. But if you have never hired an attorney before, you may naturally wonder what will happen during the initial meeting.

Accident report

When the accident occurred, you ideally filed a written report with your employer shortly afterward. Bring a copy of this report to your meeting with the attorney as it will contain a brief summary of how the accident happened.

Employment records

The amount of compensation you may be eligible for depends on how much you were making at the time of the accident. You can expect to receive a portion of your average earnings in the period of time leading up to the accident.

Second job information

Today, having 2 or even 3 jobs is commonplace. Workers’ compensation payments may include income from a second job if you are unable to continue to work both jobs because of your injury from 1 place of employment. Bring these records so that your attorney can factor your second job into your claim calculation.

Any paperwork your employer gave you

When you file a workers’ compensation report, your employer may give you paperwork to take home with you. In addition to receiving a copy of your injury report, you may also receive information that explains the workers’ compensation process, an explanation of benefits that are available and what your rights are.

Records from your initial medical treatment

If you received medical attention immediately after the accident, then you may have gotten medical paperwork that says what you were treated for along with a treatment plan and recommendations for follow-up care. This information is helpful to verify the link between the accident and your injuries, so the lawyer will likely want to take a look.

Records from follow-up medical care

Bring any records and paperwork from follow-up medical care that you receive after the accident. These records will show your course of treatment, what conditions you continue to experience and how these injuries interfere with work.

How long does a workers comp claim last?

By contrast, because there routinely are ongoing disputes over evolving issues — your claim is denied; you’re having trouble getting medical care; you’re unable to return to your previous job; your disabilities are disputed — workers comp cases can last for years, even decades.

Is timeliness important in workers compensation?

In workers compensation law, then, timeliness is pivotal. As every investigator knows, an inverse relationship exists between the value of evidence and the time it is collected. That is, the longer you wait, the less it is worth.

Can employers dissuade workers from filing workers comp?

Employers, who despise the knock-on effects of higher premiums associated with claims, will attempt to dissuade workers from filing a workers comp claim “even when they’ve had a legitimate on-the-job accident, ” she says.

Can you appeal workers compensation if you are permanently disabled?

You are permanently disabled, either totally or in part, and the insurer resists your rating. Your employer and insurer fail to pay workers compensation benefits promptly, counting on you not to file an appeal.

How long does it take to file a workers comp claim?

Reporting regulations and deadlines vary from state to state, but it should typically take no longer than 30 days to complete this process.

What does an attorney do for you?

A lawyer will file the paperwork on time, build your case, negotiate with the insurance company and draft a settlement, if one is agreed on. If it’s not, you’re headed for a hearing.

What to do if your insurance doesn't agree with your rating?

If the insurance company doesn’t agree with the rating, it can require you to get an independent medical exam (IME) by a doctor of its choosing. Chances are that doctor will give you a lower rating than what you (and your sore neck) feel you deserve. A lawyer can help convince a judge you are entitled to a higher rating.

What happens if an injury is unreported?

That injury is aggravated further at work, suddenly becomes serious and the employer/carrier says the original injury didn’t occur at work.

What happens when you lift one?

Halfway through lifting one, your boss shoots you with a bow and arrow. He doesn’t really, but pain shooting through your shoulder and neck makes you think he did. Whether it turns out to be a pulled muscle or a slipped disc, you’re going to need medical help. That means you’re about to enter the workers compensation maze.

Do attorneys cross-examine witnesses?

An attorney not only will prepare your argument, he or she will prepare you to say the right things in testimony. They also will cross-examine the insurance company’s witnesses. That job should not be left up to amateurs. Unlike civil cases, workers compensation law has a safety net of sort.

Is it bad to handle workers compensation?

Unless you’re an attorney or enjoy reading workers compensation manuals in your spare time, probably not. Handling a case on your own is usually a bad idea, especially since the insurance company will be represented by someone who’s probably handled hundreds of cases.

How long do you have to report an injury to your employer?

An injured employee will always need to report an injury to his or her employer within 30 days of the workplace accident to be eligible to collect benefits. The amount of benefits that you are eligible to receive will depend on your average wage.

What to do after being injured on the job?

One of the most important steps that an employee can take after he or she has been injured on the job is to contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. The first meeting with an attorney provides an injured worker with a good idea of the strengths and weaknesses of his or her workers’ compensation claim as well as ...

What is contact information?

Contact information for your treating physician; The dates of treatment; Medical records related to your treatment and diagnosis; Medical bills incurred for treatment; Photographs of the injury; The contact information for any eyewitnesses who saw the accident; A copy of any accident reports created by your employer; and.