August 23, 2022 | Workers' compensation

When you’re injured at work, you will not only have to deal with the pain and suffering resulting from your injuries but also the economic strain that your injuries will present. As if not being able to go to work and earn a living wasn’t enough, you will be faced with mounting medical bills. Workers’ compensation benefits will be a welcome relief during this difficult time.

While the process of recovering workers’ compensation benefits is designed to be easy enough for workers to recover benefits without the need for professional representation, there are many challenges that workers face while making their claims. Hiring an experienced attorney will help to improve your chances of securing the compensation you deserve. Your attorney will do all the work so you can focus on your recovery.

When to Hire a New Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

However, not every workers’ comp lawyer is right for your case. Here are a few signs that it may be time to begin searching for a new workers’ comp lawyer.

1. Your lawyer doesn’t communicate

Communication is key for the success of your case. A good workers’ compensation lawyer will ensure good communication. They will guide you through the claim and explain every step of the process. You will be better able to make decisions throughout the claims process. You will be less confused and won’t be caught off-guard by any event. Poor communication between you and your lawyer can be frustrating. It may also indicate that the lawyer isn’t communicating effectively with other concerned parties such as your employer, the insurance company or even judges and other attorneys.

2. Your lawyer’s billing is unclear

Most workers’ compensation lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that their fees are charged as a percentage of the compensation you receive. However, there are also various other expenses that the attorney incurs during the claims process. Some attorneys may bill for these expenses separately. You may be required to pay for these expenses from your pocket or they may be deducted from your benefits. It is therefore important to be clear about your lawyer’s billing. This will help you avoid any surprises. It will also help you avoid being taken advantage of by attorneys that will keep billing you for tasks and giving vague narratives.

3. Paralegals are handling your case

Paralegals aren’t qualified or licensed lawyers. They are support staff. They often handle administrative tasks at law firms and may be familiar with the details of your case. However, they do not have the skills or experience to handle your case on their own. If your attorney has handed over your case to a paralegal, there’s a good chance that you won’t recover just compensation. You may not even recover compensation for your case. You would therefore be well advised to hire a new workers’ compensation lawyer.

4. Your benefits have stopped suddenly

One of the most obvious signs that your case is not being handled properly by your attorney is when you suddenly stop receiving benefits. This could be a sign that your attorney has missed an important deadline. It could also mean that they failed to communicate with you about your benefits stopping or that they failed to submit a request for documents. This could jeopardize your chances of recovering full benefits for your injuries. It is a clear sign that your attorney has made mistakes or is not giving your case the time and attention it deserves. A good attorney will ensure that they stay on top of things and will not do anything to jeopardize your case.

5. Your lawyer is not filing other claims

Workers’ compensation is often the first option for seeking compensation when you are injured at work. However, it isn’t the only option. You can seek compensation through third-party claims. This of course depends on the circumstances of your case. Workers compensation does not provide compensation for all your damages. Filing a third party claim can help you recover even more compensation and therefore ease the economic burden that you are under. If your attorney is not willing to file other claims or even explain to you why the other claims cannot be filed, you should consider seeking other counsel. A good lawyer will try to maximize your compensation.

6. They do not negotiate for a settlement

Many insurance companies will offer you a low-ball settlement in an effort to avoid making a loss. Your attorney ought to negotiate for a just settlement. This can take a lot of time and effort. However, it will ensure that you receive maximum benefits for your injuries. If your attorney is not willing to negotiate your settlement, you may not recover a fair settlement. It is definitely time to find a new lawyer.

If you’re seeking a new workers’ compensation lawyer for your claim, contact us to consult with an attorney.