How to Find a Good Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in FL
Have you been injured on the job? Were you the victim of a car accident while driving or riding in a vehicle for work-related reasons?
You may be entitled to more compensation than your insurance company is offering. Your ongoing medical bills, lost wages, and mental health care could require more funds than you have available. This is true even if you’re expecting Social Security Disability benefits in the future.
You may need to seek the help of a qualified attorney to make sure you get the remuneration you need at this trying time.
If you’re wondering how to find a good workers’ compensation lawyer, look no further.
Here’s how to find the best job injury attorney for your case in Florida.
1. An Attorney Who Comes Recommended
A great way to find the right workers’ comp attorney is to ask trusted friends and family for recommendations. If you don’t know anyone first-hand who has used an attorney, research local lawyers first. Ask attorneys for three references you can speak to about their experience.
Local attorneys will have first-hand knowledge of the specific laws and regulations in your area. If you live in South Florida, don’t look for a lawyer who doesn’t live and practice in the vicinity.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions when you talk to people who’ve used your attorney before. Were they always treated with courtesy and professionalism? Were all of their questions and communications answered promptly?
Find out if the attorney won the client’s case or settled out of court. What strategy did they use to get the right compensation for the client?
You’ll also want to find out about the fee structure for the attorney. Ask former clients if there were any unexpected fees throughout the process. You’ll want to know that you can count on the attorney for professional, trustworthy help throughout your time working with them.
What you learn from speaking to individual clients should get confirmed by any online reviews you can read about your attorney. Remember that anyone can get a bad review once in a while. If, however, you’re seeing the same comment over and over again, you’re probably getting a good idea of what your experience will be like.
2. An Attorney With the Right Experience
You won’t want an attorney who has no experience with workers’ compensation and personal injury law. The right lawyer for you will be able to point to many cases similar to yours that they’ve handled.
Generally, an attorney will provide a free initial consultation before taking your case. Use this time to find out how much of their caseload is devoted to your type of case.
You’ll also want to know if they are only representing injured employees in these cases. They may have other clients, for example, who are employers or insurance companies.
Make sure you speak to your attorney about who you’ll be working with throughout the process. Will it be primarily the attorney themselves, or are there others who will be handling the case? You could end up spending the majority of the time working with legal assistants or paralegals. This is a question you should ask in advance so you’re prepared and not surprised.
3. An Attorney With the Right Qualifications
You can go online to make sure that your attorney is a member of the State Bar in Florida. You should also be able to see whether or not they’ve been disciplined for any unethical behavior. The attorney may also have other professional and bar association memberships that you can confirm, such as the county bar association.
Your attorney may have awards or community involvement that they can tell you about. Do a little research and find out how long your attorney has been practicing and what they have gotten recognized for. This can give you the assurance that you’re hiring the right person for the job during a very stressful time.
4. An Attorney You Can Afford
You should ask about the fees upfront for any job injury attorney. You’ll want to know that what you’ll be paying is reasonable for your case type and geographical area. You’ll want to understand the way that the attorney’s fees are structured.
Some lawyers, for example, may charge an hourly rate for specific tasks. Others may charge different rates for different types of cases.
Your attorney may charge a percentage of your recovery fee. You’ll need to know what this will be. There also may be additional fees that should be made clear to you at the outset of your case.
The right attorney will be able to provide you with an estimated list of their fees in writing. There shouldn’t be any surprises along the way. Make sure you get a written confirmation of your attorney’s fee structure before deciding to hire them.
5. Find Out About Your Involvement in the Case
Hiring a great attorney doesn’t mean you can simply forget about your case. It’s likely that you’ll need to provide the right information for your attorney to do their job properly. It’s a good idea to ask how you’ll need to proceed when you first consult with a lawyer.
You may need, for example, to provide detailed medical reports, police reports, and credible witnesses. Your attorney may require you to see a different doctor of their choosing. It’s critical that you know what will be expected before you agree to hiring a lawyer and proceeding with your case.
How to Find a Good Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Sustaining a serious injury on the job is a stressful, life-changing event. Once you know how to find a good workers’ compensation lawyer, however, you’ll be ready for what the future holds. The right attorney will have the experience, qualifications, and character to get you the funds you need when you need them.
If you’re looking to hire great job injury lawyers in Florida, contact us today.
