what questions to ask a workers comp lawyer

by Ms. Raquel Durgan 9 min read

10 Essential Questions to Ask Your Workers’ Comp Lawyer

  • 1. Do I need a workers’ comp lawyer? ...
  • 2. Does it matter that the accident was my fault? ...
  • 3. What benefits can I receive from workers’ compensation? ...
  • 4. What should I say to the claims administrator? ...
  • 5. What should I tell my doctor? ...

Full Answer

Should I hire a workers' comp attorney?

May 22, 2017 · 10 Essential Questions to Ask Your Workers’ Comp Lawyer 1. Do I need a workers’ comp lawyer? If you only missed a few days of work and your injury has completely healed, you... 2. Does it matter that the accident was my fault? Unless you started a fight or engaged in other extreme behavior (such... ...

Are workers' comp lawyer fees worth it?

Jul 16, 2019 · 7 Essential Questions to Ask your Workers Compensation Lawyer. What is a Workers Compensation Lawyer. A workers compensation lawyer specializes in cases for people with a workers compensation claim. Workers ... Should You Hire a Workers Compensation Lawyer. Important Questions to Ask Your Workers ...

What exactly does a workers' compensation attorney do?

Sep 08, 2021 · Your workers’ comp lawyer should explain the rules that apply in your state. Could My Workers’ Compensation Claim Be Denied? Whether or not your claim is accepted is decided by the workers’ compensation insurance company.

How much workers' comp settlement amount should you expect?

Dec 24, 2018 · Questions You Should Ask Your Attorney During the Claim Process 1. Will it hurt my claim if I’m at fault for my injury? Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation program is a no-fault... 2. Can I sue a third-party? As we noted above, Pennsylvania operates under a no-fault rule in workers’ compensation... ...

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What not to say to workers comp?

As a general rule of thumb, you should never discuss anything except the basic facts of the accident, including where it occurred, the date and time it occurred, what type of accident it was, and which body parts were injured.Jan 22, 2019

What questions should I ask my workers comp claim?

15 Questions to Ask a Workers' Comp Lawyer Before Hiring ThemWhat is Your Success Rate Settling Workers' Compensation Cases? ... What Amount of Benefits Do I Qualify For? ... Does It Matter If the Accident Was My Fault? ... What Does It Cost to Hire a Workers' Comp Attorney? ... How Long Do I Have to File My Workers' Comp Claim?More items...•Feb 24, 2021

How do I get the most out of my workers comp case?

How To Win Your Workers Compensation CaseMake Sure Your Workers' Comp Claim Is Legitimate. ... If Your Claim Is Denied, File an Appeal. ... Notify Your Employer and File Your Worker's Comp Claim. ... Seek Medical Treatment. ... Take Advantage of Your Disability Benefits. ... Keep a Record of Everything. ... Prepare for an Independent Medical Exam.More items...•Aug 14, 2020

What are the most common claims for worker compensation?

Here are the six most common worker's compensation injuries:Overexertion: ... Slip, Trip, And Falls: ... Repetitive Strain Injury: ... Struck By Or Against An Object: ... Highway Accident Injuries: ... Machinery Accident Injuries:

How much do I get paid for injury on duty?

If the employee is booked off due to an IOD for 4 days or longer, but less than 3 months, the employer must pay the injured employee at a rate of at least 75% of his earnings, from the first day, until the employee returns to work. Please note that earnings are not only the basic salary of the worker.

What modified activity?

Activity modification is really a four-fold process which includes: Challenging the patient to look at their lifestyle and find out how they can take less steps and spend less time standing each day. Exploring strategies for how they can have less force go through their feet with each step (ex.

How do you negotiate a workers comp settlement?

Have your workers' compensation lawyer send a demand letter to the insurance company with the amount that you seek for settlement, including access to relevant documentation if necessary. Receive a counteroffer. The insurance company may make a counteroffer or accept the settlement amount.

What is the largest workers comp settlement?

To date, the largest settlement payment in a workers' comp case came in March of 2017, with a $10 million settlement agreement.Feb 11, 2021

Can you sue WSIB?

Worker claims benefits & WSIB sues If the court award or settlement is less than the benefits paid, the difference remains on the claims experience of the employer. If the court award or settlement is greater than the total costs of a claim, the surplus is paid to the worker.Jan 2, 2020

What defenses would employers use in order to avoid paying for employee injuries?

5 Common Employer Defenses Against Workers' Compensation Claims#1 Intoxication from Drugs or Alcohol.#2 Self-Inflicted Injuries.#3 Horseplay and Reckless Behavior.#4 Idiopathic Medical Condition.#5 An Injury is Not Work-Related.

What is the fellow servant rule?

Legal Definition of fellow-servant rule : a common-law rule or doctrine in tort law: an employer is not liable for injuries inflicted on one employee by the fault of another employee during the course of his or her employment.

What are the Defences that are available to an employer against the claim of compensation?

Defences Available To The Employer The Doctrine of Assumed Risks: If the employee knew the nature of the risks he was undertaking when working in a factory, the employer had no liability for injuries. The court assumed that in such a case the workman had willingly accepted the risks incidental to his work.

What is a Workers Compensation Lawyer

A workers compensation lawyer specializes in cases for people with a workers compensation claim. Workers compensation laws protect people injured or disabled while working.

Should You Hire a Workers Compensation Lawyer

If you’ve never experienced a serious injury, resulting in disability, you may not know what to do. A workers compensation lawyer is experienced and knows the steps for securing a settlement. He will explain the necessary tasks from filing the claim to receiving your recovery.

Important Questions to Ask Your Workers Compensation Lawyer

When considering to hire an attorney you should take your time to find the right professional. Compose a list of questions to ask a workers comp lawyer. If you are unsure of what questions to ask then do some research online. Or speak with someone you know who went through the process of hiring an attorney.

Do You Offer Free Consultations

One of the most important questions to ask a workers compensation lawyer is whether he offers a free consultation. Many attorneys do this as a courtesy to a potential client but it’s better to ask and not assume.

How Many Years Have You Practiced

Another vital question to ask an attorney is how long he has practiced as a workers compensation lawyer. Again every case is different as are the laws for each state. Yet if your claim is complicated it’s better to hire a seasoned attorney.

What Fees Do I Pay

Everyone wants to know what they need to pay to receive service. For many people, the ability to secure legal representation hinges on whether they can afford it. Thankfully workers compensation lawyers usually use a contingency fee.

What is a Contingency Fee

A contingent fee arrangement is when “the lawyer agrees to accept a fixed percentage (often one third) of the recovery, which is the amount finally paid to the client,” according to the American Bar Association.

What is Workers Compensation?

Workers’ compensation was developed as an alternative to suing employers. It is known as a “no-fault” system, meaning employees have the right to receive compensation following a workplace injury, regardless of who was at-fault (within reason). In return for this coverage, employees give up their right to sue their employers.

Who is Mr. Tadros?

Over the course of his legal career, Mr. Tadros has represented injured workers, employers, and insurance companies. This wide variety of experience provides him with a unique perspective which assists him in achieving the best possible outcome for his clients.

Is Workers Comp the same as workplace injuries?

Workers’ comp cases are just like workplace injuries: no two are exactly alike. For personalized, professional advice, work with a licensed attorney who can advise you at each and every step of the way.

Is there anything wrong with settling a workers compensation case?

Likewise, there is nothing inherently wrong with either settling or going to trial, but this is important information for you to know all the same. There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding workers’ compensation cases; anything that helps you mentally prepare for a certain outcome can be helpful.

2. Have You Represented Someone With a Case Similar to Mine?

This is one of the most important questions to ask a lawyer to gauge their specialties, skills, and experience. Finding an experienced workers’ comp attorney is step one.

5. Does it Matter That the Injury Was My Fault?

You may be feeling like your claim has no leg to stand on because the injury was your fault. Or, perhaps it wasn’t your fault but there is no way to prove who is actually at fault.

6. How Much Do You Charge?

Many lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you don’t need to pay them anything until you receive payment or a negotiated settlement. Basically, unless they are successful in your claim. If your claim is denied, you won’t have to pay the attorney.

7. Will My Case Go to a Hearing?

It’s difficult for a workers’ comp attorney to tell early on whether your case will need to go to court to be heard by a judge. However, once your lawyer has started the negotiations with the claims administrator, this information will become more apparent.

What is the job of a workers compensation lawyer?

The job of a workers’ compensation lawyer is to help you make decisions, prepare your case, assist with gathering all your documentation and guide you through the landscape of filing a workers’ compensation claim. But before you hire this kind of attorney, you should ask many questions to help you select the right one.

How much do attorneys charge for workers compensation?

The maximum attorneys’ fee they can charge is 20 percent of your weekly benefits for a specific period of time. It is possible for you to negotiate a smaller fee if your workers’ compensation claim is relatively straightforward or involves a minor injury. If your claim is denied, you will not owe any attorneys’ fees.

How long does a workers comp claim last?

And depending upon the severity of your injury, those benefits could last anywhere from a few weeks to a lifetime. But you might not know how to file a workers’ comp claim, deal with an insurance company claim adjuster or mandatory doctors’ visits or how to gather all the information you need to make a claim.

What to do before returning to work?

Before you return to work, you and your attorney should work with your employer on a plan that will allow you to work within the restrictions. You should give a copy of the restrictions to both your employer and the company’s workers’ compensation representative.

Can you sue your employer for work related injury in Pennsylvania?

While this means that you can apply for workers’ compensation even if the work-related injury was your fault, you cannot sue your employer if your accident was their fault.

What is Frommer D'Amico?

All the attorneys at Frommer D’Amico specialize in workers’ compensation issues. We do our best to provide individual attention to each one of our clients, take their calls, answer their questions in a timely fashion, help with unpaid medical bills or late benefit checks and handle any major litigation that results from a workers’ compensation claim.

Does Pennsylvania have workers compensation?

In Pennsylvania, workers’ compensation does not provide any benefits for pain or suffering. Once you and your attorney have discussed the details of your claim, they will be able to give you a better idea of the benefits for which you are eligible. 5.

What are the benefits of workers compensation in California?

In California, workers’ compensation provides five basic benefits: medical care, temporary disability, permanent disability, supplemental job displacement, and death benefits. After reviewing the details of your case, your attorney will be able to tell you exactly which benefits you’re entitled to.

Do you have to settle a workers comp case before trial?

However, if your claim is denied or your employer refuses to provide the benefits to which you’re entitled, it’s more likely that you’ll have a hearing.

Do workers compensation lawyers get paid?

Always ask about attorney’s fees. Most workers’ compensation lawyers work on contingency – meaning they don’t get paid unless you get paid. Find out upfront what percentage of your settlement they’ll collect when you win.

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