Friday, July 3, 2009

When Selecting A Workers' Comp Lawyer...

By Bart Icles

All workers need a good workers' comp lawyer at one point or another. This is because circumstances that would call for one can be unavoidable most of the time, especially during this time of recession wherein a lot of people are being laid off or just suddenly find themselves with no job.

Of course, if you need a workers' comp lawyer, the first thing that you need to do is to learn the extent of your legal dilemma. Go through your employment contract meticulously. Search the internet for cases similar to yours. Consult with your friends and colleagues about what to do. Check out the different laws that govern your state. The best person who can help you, though, is a workers' comp lawyer who is good at what he or she does. To be able to find and determine if a workers' comp lawyer will suit your needs and will just be the right person to help you, you should consider the following:

1. Ask your friends for referrals. If they have none, check out the yellow pages or better yet, the internet and look for cases similar to you along with a name of an legal firm or a lawyer that you think will really be able to help you win your case. Of course, you should opt for someone who is within your reach, distance-wise and budget-wise.

2. Look for a workers' comp lawyer who specializes in that line of work. You can more or less rely on the reputation of the lawyer. The better the reputation, the more he or she can help you.

3. Check if the workers' comp lawyer represents employees or employers. Chances are if he or she is representing employers, that is where he or she is specializing in and do not really handle employee cases, and vice versa.

4. Make a list of your options. Once you have the list, do a more in-depth research about your options. Check out their websites, any write-ups about them, how they were able to help previous clients, etc. Do all the research that you need in order to help you choose who would best represent you and fight with you. Check with your state bar association if your options are in good standing.

5. Once you have nailed down about 2 to 3 names, schedule a consultation with him or her or the firm that you think will be able to help you. Check out how they assess your case and, of course, check out how much they will be charging you. Your budget is one of the biggest points to consider.

To be able to gauge the best workers' comp lawyer for you, you should trust your gut instinct. Make sure that whoever you choose, you feel comfortable working with them.

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