Before the workers’ comp system started a hundred years ago, people seldom used to go to an attorney to find solutions for workplace-related issues such as personal injury or worker’s comp.
For instance, if someone got injured at a factory in the early 1900s, there weren’t stringent regulations that stipulated how such cases would be solved from the employer’s end. If the injury isn’t that severe, they might even continue working from the next day just like any other day at work. If you had a permanent disability, you probably got benefits, and you went about your life.
On the other hand, workers’ compensation laws and cases have become more complicated over the years. Even lawyers sometimes find it hard to catch up with the ever-changing nature of case laws and statutes. Many people who may require an attorney to sort a potential worker’s comp case are often discouraged by these complications and potential disadvantages of pursuing such a case. One of the main disadvantages is the uncertainty about the costs and when they’ll be able to conclude their case.
Factors That Will Help You Make A Decision
So the bottom line is – do you need an attorney? That’s something that only you can answer. If it is a very straightforward case, you may not need an attorney to represent you. If it’s more complicated and there is a possibility of trial, you will certainly need the assistance of an experienced workers comp attorney to settle your case the best way possible.
The best thing to do is reach out to a few attorneys and talk a few details about your case. Also, you may want to go to the state bar website. You can look for certified specialists in workers’ compensation in your area. For instance, type in Las Vegas and the website will direct you to a list from which you can choose a workers comp attorney in Vegas.
Some people don’t have an attorney because they’re unable to find one. Some don’t have an attorney because they just want to represent themselves. If you believe you need expert advice, the best thing is to reach out to attorneys. Most attorneys will offer a free initial consultation. You and the attorney can sit down, get to know each other, and go over some of the facts of the case. They can let you know if they think your case is worth pursuing.
As we mentioned earlier, workers’ comp cases can take a long time to settle. That means that if you retain an attorney, it’s probably going to be a long relationship. You may be looking at several months of litigation or it could even stretch to a few years. So you want to find an attorney that you think you can work well with professionally as well as at an interpersonal level potentially over an extended period of time.
To Summarize
If you think your case has the potential for getting workers’ comp, probably the best thing to do is talk to a few attorneys. Be sure to choose an experienced worker’s comp lawyer. Not only are they familiar with such cases but they generally have good contacts that can be of help to your case. However, you don’t necessarily have to retain an attorney for cases such as mild injuries as the case value depends upon several such factors.
But if the injury is more severe, and if you’re facing problems such as unexplained delays in getting treatment authorization or if the insurance company has denied your case, you may be better served by having an attorney rather than trying to go it on your own.
