All employers in Virginia, employing three or more employees, are required to have workers’ compensation insurance. This also means that an employee cannot sue an employer directly for a work-related accident or occupational disease. What happens if your workers’ compensation claim is denied? Do you know what it takes to get through the subsequent appeals? What if your employer retaliates against you for filing the report? Since you cannot sue them, how do you stand up against them? Are you aware of the paperwork involved? Can you deal with the insurance company? For all this and more, you need to hire an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer Virginia. In this post, we are sharing more on what it takes to hire one.
Expertise and experience
‘What percentage of your practice is dedicated to workers’ compensation claims and employment law?’
This is probably one of the most important questions that you can ask when meeting a lawyer for the first time. Check the number of claims, appeals they have handled so far and if they have worked extensively with workers and executives. When it comes to handling workers’ compensation claims, experience with insurance companies is extremely important. You wouldn’t want a lawyer with divided loyalties. As a client, you can ask for references and details of some of the top settlements they have won for clients in recent past.
Discuss things in person
What is your claim worth? How much should you expect in settlement?
These are two essential questions that a workers’ compensation lawyer will answer for you. Keep in mind that as the claimant, you are expected to prove everything. You have to prove that you suffered injuries because of an on-job accident, and also the expenses that you have incurred in treatments. Your wages before and after the accident, temporary & permanent disabilities, as applicable, will matter for your claim and settlement. Talk to a lawyer to know what your claim is worth and how they will handle things with the insurance company.
Fee and costs
Many lawyers take up workers’ compensation claims on a contingency basis, which means that they only get paid if they win. However, that’s not always the case, and it also depends on what a lawyer is doing for the client. Nevertheless, it is wise to ask in advance about the various costs that are involved in the case and how the lawyer will charge for their work.
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