Accidents happen all the time at work, and such is the main reason why workers compensation insurance exists. When an employee gets injured or sick as a result of a work-related accident or poor working conditions, they’re encouraged to file a workers compensation claim so they can be compensated for expenses related to their injuries.
But a workers compensation claim can be denied, or an injured employee can get an award that’s smaller than what they need to cover expenses. To help prevent the above scenarios from happening, a lot of injured employees hire a workers compensation lawyer to handle the process on their behalf.
Hiring a workers compensation lawyer is a smart move for a variety of reasons, but how is an injured employee supposed to go about finding the best workers compensation lawyer? After all, there are thousands of them practicing in the US. Read on to find out.
Call 1-800-HURT-511 when you’re looking to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer in Queens. We’ve been representing accident victims for over a decade, and we’ve secured hundreds of favorable judgments for our clients.
What Are You Looking To Get From Hiring A Workers’ Comp Lawyer?
Before you hire a workers’ compensation lawyer, you should have clear expectations. Ask yourself the following questions, for the answers will collectively indicate whether hiring a workers compensation lawyer is a good move or not:
- Do you want to hire a lawyer so they can handle the process for you?
- Are you fine with giving up 33% of your award (if you receive one) as payment for the lawyer’s assistance?
- Do you believe your claim will be denied without professional legal assistance?
- Do you anticipate the claim will end up in court, where having a lawyer on your side would be valuable?
How To Search For A Workers Comp Lawyer Online
These days, most lawyers have an online presence. However, some law firms have a strong online presence whereas other firms just have a basic website that includes the essential info along with a contact form. In general, it’s best to steer clear of firms that don’t have an updated website as well as firms that don’t have a lot of information about their practice on their website. An undeveloped or out-of-date site can indicate the firm doesn’t see the value in having a strong online presence that’s attractive to potential clients. Here’s how you can find top-quality workers comp lawyers online:
Search Engines
Use popular search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing. All you have to do is type in a keywords like “workers’ compensation lawyers near me” and you’ll immediately get several relevant results. You should only stick with the sites on page one, and look through paid-promotion sites as well as those that aren’t promoted.
Reviews Sites
There are also a handful of lawyer reviews sites one can use to find a good lawyer. On these sites, former clients write testimonials and give ratings. There’s also basic information about listed lawyers. Some reliable and popular lawyer reviews sites are:
- Avvo
- com
- Martindale-Hubbell
- NOLO
- Better Business Bureau (BBB)
What To Look For In A Workers Compensation Lawyer
If you’re hiring a workers compensation lawyer to help you navigate the claim process, it’s essential to hire somebody who’ll work well with you. The process may take awhile, so you should avoid giving your business to somebody who’s not going to operate with your best interests in mind. Here’s what you should look for when you’re searching for a workers compensation lawyer:
Experience
It’s best to only give your business to an experienced workers comp lawyer. A lawyer who’s been practicing this kind of law for years will most likely serve you well. Make sure the lawyer knows this area of law inside and out. Have they defended workers comp insurance companies as well as workers comp applicants? That would be a plus. It’s also best to hire a lawyer who has many wins under their belt.
Credentials
Credentials are incredibly important in the legal sphere. You should hire a lawyer who possesses a law degree from a reputed law school, and the lawyer should also be in good standing with the state bar. Additionally, they should be regularly updating their credentials.
Professional Associations
Hiring a lawyer who’s a member of professional associations is a good idea. Most practicing lawyers are part of the American Bar Association, and a workers comp lawyer may also be part of a workers comp professional association. Additionally, they could possess a board certification from the National Board of Trial Advocacy as well as several certifications related to workers comp. Moreover, a lawyer who has a lot of connections can often tap into some valuable resources on behalf of their clients.
Authority
If a lawyer has published journal articles, a blog, or other works outside their practice that demonstrate they’re up to date on current legal topics, such likely indicates that they know workers compensation law inside and out.
Inspiring Confidence
A true professional will demonstrate that they’re confident in their abilities, and they’ll also be pleasant when interacting with potential clients. Furthermore, they’ll be patient and attentive when discussing a potential client’s situation, and they’ll address any concerns the individual may have.
Respectful
It’s also good to hire a lawyer who’s respectful. Hiring somebody who sporadically answers your calls once the process is in motion is not the way to go. A lawyer should keep you updated on what’s going on, and if your lawyer is ever rude or dismissive, it’s best to take your business elsewhere.
Which Workers Compensation Lawyers Are Best In NYC?
When you need best-in-class legal representation to help you file a workers compensation claim, call 1-800-HURT-511. Our workers compensation attorneys in the Bronx are workers compensation experts, and we’ll represent your interests in court (should your claim go to trial). When you enlist the help of our firm, we’ll treat you like family, and we’ll make sure you can focus on recovering while we handle all the hassles associated with filing a workers compensation claim.
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