by Bernard D. Nomberg, Partner, The Nomberg Law Firm
If you are on the fence about hiring a lawyer to handle your workers’ compensation case, read this article. There are many reasons to hire a lawyer to handle your workers’ compensation case. In the age of do-it-yourself, this is one area we suggest hiring a specialist.
For starters, you have nothing to lose. With a free consultation, a lawyer will be able to assess your situation and provide you with a framework moving forward. No investment is required initially, so there is no reason not to seek the help of a qualified attorney. Additionally, you may be able to get valuable advice if you do decide to pursue the case independently.
Any complications in your case can get out of hand without the help of a lawyer. For example, if your claim is denied, a medical procedure is denied or your benefits are stopped, you will likely need help to remedy the situation. Many work comp insurance companies will deny medical benefits or deny the claim with the hopes that the employee will no longer pursue the claim. This saves the insurance company money. Most of the time, the employers are right: many injured workers will use their personal health insurance to pay for medical treatment or stop pursuing benefits.
Are you on the fence about calling a workers’ compensation lawyer? Get off the fence and make the call. Most every lawyer will talk with you at no charge.
Sometimes, the settlement you might have gotten may not meet all of your needs. You want a doctor who meets all of your medical needs, so why would you not want someone to meet your legal needs? A lawyer who specializes in representing injured workers has the case law and legal knowledge to be able to get you the best settlement possible.
There may be hidden costs associated with your workers’ compensation benefits. For example, Social Security may be entitled to part of your benefits if you fail to structure your workers’ compensation settlement properly. A lawyer knows how to draft settlement documents so as to avoid or minimize any unwanted diminution to your benefits.
Even worse than potential problems with your claim, you may face retaliation from your employer. Filing a claim and then losing a job due to the claim can be frustrating and cause undue hardship. You will need a lawyer to combat the discrimination and ensure that your employer is unable to retaliate due to your workers’ compensation claim.
Finally, there may be other parties involved in your case. If you were injured at work due to the fault of another, there may be a potential case to recover from the third party. The expertise of a workers’ compensation lawyer can help evaluate the worth of the case, pull resources of experts to evaluate the injury and related fault, and properly negotiate a fair settlement.
There are many reasons to hire an attorney to handle your workers’ compensation case, but ultimately the decision is yours to make. There’s no harm in at least sitting down and talking with one, so what are you waiting for?
If you have any questions or concerns about this issue or other issues on the law, please call the Nomberg Law Firm at 205-930-6900. Our workers’ compensation lawyers are ready to help you.
Bernard D. Nomberg has practiced workers’ compensation law in Alabama for more than 20 years. Bernard has earned an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell’s peer-review rating. He has been selected a Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers Magazine as well as a Top Rated Attorney by B-Metro Magazine. Bernard is the President of the Alabama State Bar’s Workers’ Compensation Section.