Many injured workers have the most challenging time navigating through the workers’ compensation system. Following an on-the-job injury in Virginia Beach, you may find yourself grappling with financial losses. If the doctor has asked you to stay away from work for a while, you are probably worried about lost wages too. Thankfully, you have the right to claim workers’ compensation benefits, at least for most circumstances. While you don’t necessarily need legal advice, working with a Virginia Beach work injury lawyer may improve your chances. In this post, we are sharing fundamental suggestions for choosing the right law firm.
Specialization counts
Hiring a lawyer for your workers’ compensation claim is not the same as hiring a personal injury lawyer. The complex system requires specific experience and expertise, and not many injury lawyers have an extensive profile dealing with such claims. When you look for law firms, check whether they are a dedicated firm for workers’ compensation cases and whether their lawyers are ready to evaluate your case.
Consider the information
The first meeting with a lawyer allows you to get a fair overview of the workers’ compensation system in Virginia. If the lawyer thinks you have a valid case and are eligible for benefits, they will share the steps you need to follow. Sometimes, a seasoned attorney may even suggest that you don’t need legal help and will likely get the due compensation. As a client, you should check the info they share and ask questions like –
- How long have you been a workers’ compensation lawyer in Virginia?
- What is your case volume like?
- What’s your assessment of my claim?
- What can I do to ensure the best outcome?
- Do you have experience representing injured workers at trials?
Check the costs
All workers’ compensation lawyers work on a contingency fee, which is usually 20%. The cost of hiring a lawyer is less than what you would pay an injury lawyer, but you are also responsible for the additional expenses necessary for the case. Your lawyer gets a share of the back wages, although many attorneys make it easy for workers by asking for a fixed amount from their weekly check.
Have a question? Instead of trying to understand workers’ compensation claims through internet resources, talk to a seasoned lawyer who is likely to have a better understanding of the critical aspects. You can always decide later whether you want to hire them for the case.