Accidents in the workplace can be fairly common, from slips, trips and falls to broken bones, stress injuries and more. If you have been injured on the job, either due to one incident or after years of repetitive work that have led to a strain injury, a workers’ compensation attorney can help you recover compensation for your injuries including any lost wages and medical bills.
Workers’ Compensation Laws
An attorney such as Munley Law Scranton PA workers compensation attorney can help you navigate the workers’ compensation laws for your state, which are governed by the state legislation and federal statutes. They are designed to provide fixed awards to employees or their dependents when a work-related accident or illness occurs. They enable the affected worker to receive compensation without the need to bring legal action against their employer. Each state differs in terms of the type of workers covered, the duration and number of benefits available, and more.
The Duties of a Lawyer
Your workers’ compensation attorney will have the ultimate goal of helping you obtain the benefits that you are entitled to as the result of the injury. Some typical things that your workers’ compensation lawyer will do include taking depositions, gathering any relevant medical records and evidence, conducting discovery and legal research, drafting findings of fact, pleadings, motions, opinions, briefs and other legal documents, and litigating the case before a judge or referee.
What the Claimant’s Lawyer Will Do
On the claimant’s side, a workers’ compensation lawyer should have a working knowledge of the claims process and empathy for your situation. They will typically be able to answer questions that you have and provide you with guidance throughout the workers’ compensation process. They will contact your medical providers on your behalf and ensure that all relevant paperwork for the claim is completed. They can assist you with benefits and medical care, and will represent your interests at hearings, depositions, trials, mediations, arbitrations and during other legal proceedings. They can also communicate with your workplace regarding your status on your behalf. Your workers’ compensation attorney will also negotiate settlements on your behalf to help you get the best outcome.
Your Fee
For the services of a workers’ compensation attorney, you will rarely be charged an hourly fee. The majority of workers’ comp lawyers will work on a contingency basis, meaning that they will collect a percentage of any award that you receive as a claimant. This is usually set somewhere between 10% and 33%, and in some states, the percentage that the lawyer can take as a fee is capped.
What to Look for in an Attorney
Your workers’ comp attorney should be somebody with extensive knowledge and experience of the process. They will need to have a working knowledge of the workers’ compensation procedures and laws, strong research and analytical skills, and excellent written and oral communication skills. They should be a skilled negotiator, and somebody who you feel you can get along with and trust.
If you’ve been injured at work, a workers’ compensation attorney can help you get the best outcome from your case.
