Looking for a workers’ compensation lawyer can be a long and demanding process, and there are so many different things you need to pay close attention to. It is said that tens of thousands of people all over the world require the services of this type of legal practitioner, and they can make the difference between you getting all your medical bills paid for, and getting all the money you deserve, or having to pay for everything on your own.
Every day dozens of mishaps happen in the workplaces, and in most cases, insurance companies look for a way to pay less or nothing. If you are in need of a workers’ comp attorney, then you should know that choosing the wrong one may cost you a lot. In this article, we are going to talk about the fees that these legal practitioners have, how much should you expect to pay for this service, and how much is too much.
What should you pay attention to before you hire an attorney?
Know that there are some types of minor injuries that may cost you more to pay for the legal advisor than the compensation money you may get from the insurance company. Before you choose to hire a lawyer, you should first think if you have a case and if you will be able to make your claim.
In case you are not sure about it, and if you don’t know if you can get compensated for the mishap, then you should have an initial conversation with the possible legal representative.
Nowadays, there are a lot of law firms that will let you have the initial meeting for free, and that won’t charge you anything when you go there for the first time. Experts suggest that you should look for a representative that won’t charge any fees for that meeting and that this is especially important if you are unsure if you should hire an attorney or not.
People who have temporary or minor injuries that will heal even bore the whole process begins are told that they should try to steer away from paying unnecessary legal fees and that, chances are, their case will be dismissed even before it starts.
However, if you suffered major injuries, if you had to spend a lot of time in the hospital, or if the mishap you had at work led to serious chronic pain, then you should seek a legal advisor.
How much money will you need to spend?
The first thing you need to remember is that you can never know the exact price unless you talk to the attorney you are going to hire. It all depends on the case you have, your location, and of course, the legal advisor you choose to go with.
On average, the person that is going to represent you will take between 15 and 25 percent of the whole sum that is going to be paid. Even though this may seem like too much money when you calculate all the things that you will need to pay for, know that having the right person by your side will bring you a lot of additional benefits.
Know that the right workers’ compensation lawyer can obtain the maximum amount for their client, and you should always ask them for more info about your specific case, and what is the highest number you can possibly get.
Another thing you should be aware of is that the fees vary depending on the state, and in some states, you will be required to pay 10 or less percent of the benefits you get, while in others, you will be required to pay 25 percent, and even more.
In addition to this, you may be required to pay contingency fees, and once again, they vary depending on the state, your specific case, and the legal representative you hire. They can go up to 35 percent, but in case you need to pay other types of fees, chances are, you won’t need to pay these ones.
The best way to find out how much will your attorney cost you is to talk to them. As we mentioned before, look for a law firm that offers free initial consultation, and ask them about prices, fees, and bills. Even if you choose not to hire that attorney, or if you choose not to seek justice because your case is minor, you will still have an idea of how much would the process cost.
How to find the right representative for your case?
Know that finding the right legal representative is far more important than focusing on the money. If you choose to go with the person who charges the least, you may end up getting far less money, so think about those things as well. For example, if a lawyer who charges 10% manages to get 30 thousand dollars from the insurance company will turn out to be a worse option than a person who charges 20 percent and manages to get 50 or even 100 thousand dollars from the insurance.
You need to remember that your goal is to get compensated for the injury you had, all the medical bills, and all the future issues that might arise. Look for a person who has enough experience in these cases, and who has the needed knowledge and skills. It is said that it is best to look for a local representative that knows more about the court system there, the judges, and the other side. These small things will make a huge difference, so make sure you find a representative who is invested in getting you the best deal possible.
As you can see, there is no way to know exactly how much you will end up paying, but you can find a number that will be really close to the exact amount. Talk to different legal representatives, look for referrals from other people, and don’t consider just the costs when making your decision. The right attorney will help you seek justice, and they will do their best to help you get every penny that you’ve spent after the accident you had.
