If you experience an injury while on the job, then you probably have several questions running through your mind. Should you hire a lawyer for your workplace incident? Do you have the grounds for a workers’ compensation case?
Many people refrain from seeking the compensation that they deserve simply because they don’t understand the process well enough. However, you don’t have to know the ins and outs of a settlement, that’s what a workplace accident attorney is for.
See below for several tremendous reasons why you need to hire a workplace accident lawyer for your case? They can help you receive larger compensation as a result.
1. Knowing Your Optimal Compensation Amount
Too many workplace accident victims end up settling for far lower than the amount that they actually deserve. Doing so can lead to you finding yourself in debt from all the medical bills if the compensation you received isn’t enough.
One of the most common ways in which this happens is when a worker tries to represent themself during the settlement process.
Think of it this way: you’re going up against a professional insurance company when trying to receive compensation. They’ve been professionally trained to have you settle for as little as possible, making you think you’ve received the deal of a lifetime.
By hiring a workplace accident attorney, you’re setting yourself up for more success from the start. They can help calculate the amount that you will need in order to get your life back on track and cover all medical bills on your road to recovery.
2. Knowledge of the Process
If you’re afraid to go through the workers’ compensation process because of the unfamiliarity, then you’re not alone. Many people go back and forth when determining whether or not to pursue a settlement due to their lack of experience.
Simply put: you don’t need to have a firm understanding of the settlement process to receive the right compensation amount.
If you hire a trusted workplace attorney, then they’ll have all the experience and know-how that you need. They can advise you on a step-by-step basis and help you better understand each phase.
For example, they can help you understand how long you may have to wait in order to receive the compensation amount that you need.
If they assume it will take a few years, then they might suggest you look for pre-settlement funding to cover the medical bills in the short term. That way, you’ll get the recovery you need while you patiently wait for the right offer.
3. Commitment to the Process
Insurance companies often cringe when they see that someone who files a claim has lawyered up. Why? Because it shows how committed you are too waiting it out for the right compensation amount.
You won’t be easily persuaded to take a lesser compensation. You have hired someone who’s fixated on building evidence for your case, gaining leverage for your claim, and using it to get the compensation that you seek.
Contrary to popular belief, insurance companies don’t like to drag this process out any longer than necessary. The longer it takes to reach a settlement, the more leverage that you gain on your side. Hiring a lawyer is the first step toward that.
4. There’s a Third Party Involved
While it is rare, there are times in which a third party is involved in the work-related injuries that you sustain.
These are situations in which a third party’s negligence led to the injuries that you experienced. Such as getting into a car crash while driving a company vehicle to the job site or a faulty piece of equipment that was poorly made by the manufacturer.
Whenever a third party is involved, the case gets that much more complicated. It’s best to hire a reputable workplace accident attorney who can sort it out.
5. Your Boss Retaliates After You File a Claim
It’s illegal for your employer to retaliate after you’ve sustained an injury at work and opt to file a claim. With proper insurance, the employer doesn’t have to be too involved, to begin with.
Still, there are many injured workers every year that are wrongfully fired or demoted simply because they’ve filed a claim to receive compensation.
Remember, seeking compensation is about you and your family. You need it to prevent you from falling into financial trouble. If you feel like your employer has reacted wrongfully, then hire a lawyer to represent you.
6. You Had Previous Medical Conditions
Anytime that you seek compensation, you bring out the desperation in your employer or their insurance company. They’ll try anything to take credibility from your case.
If you had pre-existing medical conditions in the area that was injured at work, the opposition might try to use them against you. They’ll try to say that the workplace incident wasn’t the main cause of the injury you’re nursing.
For example, maybe you had chronic back pain before slipping and falling on your company’s worksite and experiencing more pain. If so, hire a lawyer to sort it out. They’ll work on building evidence to support your claim.
Hire the Right Lawyer for your Workplace Accident
Now that you’ve seen several crucial reasons why you need to hire an experienced layer for your workplace accident, it’s time to start your search.
Read this article for more information on 9 personal injury tips from an experienced Houston attorney that can help you receive the highest compensation possible.
For more inquiries, please be sure to reach out via our contact us page and we will be happy to assist you further.