How to Hire the Best Workers’ Comp Attorney Near Me

If you have suffered significant injuries in a work accident, hiring a lawyer with experience and a successful track record can be beneficial. Good starting points for finding an experienced workers’ comp lawyer can include:

•       Searching online for workers’ comp lawyers near you
•       Asking friends and co-workers for referrals
•       Reviewing testimonials from previous clients 

Once you have a list of potential attorneys or law firms, schedule some free consultations to get to know them better. Questions you could ask at the first consultation can include:

•       Have you dealt with claims like mine before?
•       Will you handle my claim from beginning to end?
•       What is your experience with workers’ comp claims?
•       Do you work on a “no-win-no-fee” basis, without upfront fees? 

When hiring an attorney, listening to your gut feeling can be essential for finding the right match. An attorney or law firm could tick all the boxes on paper but might not be the best choice for you. If you leave the first consultation hopeful and uplifted, feeling that your questions and concerns were addressed honestly and openly, you most likely found a good match.

A workplace accident involving catastrophic injuries can change an individual’s entire life in one split second. A fatal workplace injury can take a loved one in their prime years away from their family. Figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show that one worker died from a workplace injury every 99 minutes in 2019.
 
According to the BLS, the most common workplace injuries in 2019 were sprains, tears, and strains. Our determined attorneys can handle all types of injuries in workers’ comp claims, including but not limited to:

•       Fractures
•       Head and brain injuries
•       Cuts and lacerations
•       Herniated discs and other back injuries
•       Injuries due to inhalation of toxic fumes 

While some work injuries such as sprains and strains may not be serious or permanently disabling, they can still result in absences from work and lead to steep medical bills, income loss, and other expenses.  

Work-Related Conditions

Not all injuries happen due to accidents on the job. Workers can also be affected by long-term work-related conditions such as repetitive strain injuries. Poor posture, repeated heavy lifting, and repetitive hand or wrist movements can all lead to painful chronic conditions and injuries.  

Injuries can potentially occur in all types of workplaces, including in offices and retail environments. However, workers in the construction and transportation industries are particularly vulnerable to experiencing serious accidents. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), workplaces with the largest number of fatal injuries in 2019 included:

•       Construction
•       Transportation
•       Warehousing
•       Agriculture and forestry

If you sustained significant injuries at your job or a loved one died in a work accident, consult with one of our responsive and compassionate workers’ comp attorneys near you today. We deal with all kinds of work accidents and injuries and can determine your next best steps for recovering what you deserve.

If you suffered injuries at work, taking the following steps as soon as possible can help protect your legal rights to workers’ comp benefits:

Report the Accident and Injury to Your Employer

You should report your accident and injury to a supervisor or your employer promptly. You may also have to file an accident report with your workplace.

See a Doctor Immediately

If you got badly hurt in a work accident, you probably visited the emergency room. However, if your injuries are less severe, make sure you check with your employer about which doctor to visit. You may have to use your employer’s doctor to retain medical benefits. However, you could potentially get a second opinion or choose your own doctor, depending on your employer.

Fill in a Workers’ Comp Claim Form

While the process of filing a claim can vary from state to state, your employer should provide the appropriate claim forms for you to fill in. Employers then typically file the claim with their insurance company on their workers’ behalf.
 
The deadline for filing a workers’ comp claim can differ drastically from one state to another. Timely action can be critical. If you miss the deadline, you could lose the right to workers’ comp benefits. Get help today from one of our dedicated workers’ comp lawyers who can ensure that your claim is filed within the appropriate deadline.

If you received a notification of denial from your employer’s insurance company, do not despair. It is not unusual for claims to get denied. You could still recover the benefits you deserve. An experienced workers’ comp attorney in your area can fight for a fair and comprehensive workers’ comp payout. 

You Can Appeal

Injured workers can appeal against the denial of their claim by petitioning the Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims (OJCC) and providing details of their injuries and the benefits they require. If the insurance still refuses payment, the next step will most likely involve a mediation hearing. An attorney can support you at the hearing or attend on your behalf.
 
If mediation proves unsuccessful, your claim will typically move to an administrative hearing as the next step. An administrative hearing is a formal procedure similar to a trial in a court case. A workers’ comp attorney from our firm can present your case and evidence in the strongest possible way at an administrative hearing.
 
You should receive the judge’s decision regarding your workers’ comp claim within 30 days after the hearing. If the claim is denied again, you could potentially appeal at the First District Court of Appeals.

Contact An Attorney for Help

The process of appealing a denied workers’ comp claim can be complex and lengthy. Once your claim has been denied, protect your legal rights by hiring the best workers’ comp lawyer near you for advice and legal representation. A determined attorney can help you navigate the legal issues, fight for the benefits you need, and protect you against attempts by an insurance company or employer to minimize your claim.

The vast majority of employers and businesses are, by law, required to carry workers’ comp insurance. However, if an employer failed to obtain workers’ comp coverage, workers are generally left high and dry. Unless your employer has workers’ comp insurance, you will not be able to recover any benefits from the program.
 
Finding out that your employer is uninsured can come as a shock. We understand that injured workers with astronomical medical bills and income losses can feel abandoned and frustrated, with nowhere to turn. However, if you cannot file a workers’ comp claim, do not despair and contact us for help, as you could have other options for receiving benefits. 

Uninsured Employers Funds

Some states have so-called “uninsured employers funds” that can help injured individuals whose employers are uninsured. Injured workers can receive medical expenses and partial reimbursement for any income losses.

Personal Injury Lawsuits

You could potentially sue your employer in court if you are unable to collect workers’ comp benefits. However, you will have to prove that your employer, or a third party, is at fault for your accident and injuries.
 
It is important to note that individuals could potentially file a lawsuit in addition to recovering benefits from a workers’ comp claim. If an accident happened due to third-party negligence, such as another contractor on the job site, injured workers could file a lawsuit and recover compensation. One of our attorneys can assess your case and walk you through your legal options.

How long you can collect workers’ comp benefits will depend on the extent of your injuries, the nature of your work, and your state of residence. Generally, you can receive most benefits until you have recovered fully from your injury. In some instances, medical benefits can extend indefinitely, provided you still require medical treatment or follow-up doctor visits due to the work injury. 
 
Generally, your doctor will decide if and when you can return to work. However, if you are collecting benefits for permanent total disability, meaning that you are permanently unable to work, you could receive workers’ comp benefits for the rest of your life.
 
Since the timeframe in which you could receive workers’ comp payouts depends on various factors, consider speaking to a workers’ comp attorney near you to clarify whether and when your benefits could end.

Financial considerations should not stop you from getting justice. We believe that those injured in work accidents deserve quality legal representation, regardless of their financial circumstances. Therefore, we handle workers’ comp claims with a so-called “contingency-fee agreement,” without any upfront attorneys’ fees to pay. We only get paid when and if we win your case.
 
Workers’ comp attorneys’ fees are generally state-regulated and, in many cases, set at or below 20% of the final settlement, although fees can vary. However, consider hiring an attorney as an investment, especially if you suffered significant injuries and a lot is at stake. Our attorneys know how to navigate the workers’ comp system and can work tirelessly for the best outcome in your case.

Hiring the best workers’ comp attorney near you can give you peace of mind and reassurance that your legal rights are comprehensively protected. Moreover, you can concentrate on healing and recovery while an attorney handles the paperwork and legal aspects of your claim.
 
The tenacious and responsive attorneys at Morgan & Morgan have a decades-long track record of helping clients recover what they need to go on with their lives after an injury. We do not settle for less and fight for fair compensation for injured workers and their families.
 
If you are injured or disabled due to a work accident or work-related condition, you do not have to fight alone. Get started now and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.