Do You Need a Workers Compensation Lawyer?

When Do I Need to Hire a Workers’ Comp Attorney?

If you’ve been injured at work and your workers' comp claim has been denied or you have been offered a settlement that is much lower than what you think you’re entitled to, working with a skilled lawyer who has experience in workers' compensation policy can be invaluable. 

In some cases, you won’t need to hire a workers' comp lawyer to handle your personal injury claim, while in others, hiring legal representation will be necessary in order to navigate workers' compensation laws. 
If you’re dealing with any of the following complications with your workers’ compensation claim, you should contact an attorney at the Hines Law Firm as soon as possible:

• Your employer has disputed or rejected your claim.
• Your employer has avoided making a timely payout of your benefits.
• The injuries resulted in a total or partial permanent disability, limiting the type of work you’re able to perform or preventing you from returning to your old position at all.
• The settlement offer you received doesn’t cover the total cost of lost income or medical expenses.
• There is a lack of supporting evidence for your injuries, either because of a preexisting condition or some other reason.
• You think it could be a form of retaliation from your employer.
• The injuries you suffered were caused by the negligence of a third party.
• You plan on applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.
• You don’t know whether the settlement offer you received is fair for any additional reasons.

What Does a Workers’ Compensation Attorney Do? 

A workers’ compensation attorney can assist an injured worker by handling all communication with the insurance company, providing legal guidance and advice when filling out paperwork, and helping the injured worker recover the monetary benefit they deserve. 
While you focus on healing from your injuries, an attorney can make recovering benefits easier and be a sounding board during a stressful situation.

Submitting a workers’ comp claim for a workplace accident is often a straightforward process, however, if complications arise, working with an attorney from the start can increase your chances of recovering the settlement you deserve and avoid adding to the already difficult time. Your attorney will gather documentation from your treating physicians and other medical experts, to prove the severity and extent of your injuries. They can also help you gather other documentation, such as reports from your physical therapy sessions, to help speed your case along and receive additional benefits. 

At the Hines Law Firm, a workers’ comp lawyer can also:

• Answer any questions you may have
• Keep you up-to-date regarding the progress of your case
• Communicate with the insurer on your behalf
• Ensure all necessary documents have been filed before important deadlines
• Help you with the appeals process if your claim has been denied
• Arrange treatment with specific physicians for medical conditions
• Obtain medical evidence that can help support your claim
• Stay in communication with your employer regarding the status of your injuries
• Fight for maximum compensation
• Represent you at a workers’ comp formal hearing