How to Choose Your Workers’ Compensation Attorney

If you have been injured on the job and feel that your case is in trouble, such as the possibility that your claim will be denied, look for a workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible. You want to be sure that you can move quickly, such as filing for a hearing if you are denied. Here are some tips for how to select the attorney that can help you.

Tips on Finding the Right Attorney

Look first for Workers’ Compensation attorneys in your area. You can also look in areas that are a little further away if you are up to driving there from time to time. Your first step after identifying several law firms that might work for you is to check the following pages.

• Check any associations and recognition pages

On this page you should find the icons for the State Bar of Arizona, the Arizona Association of Lawyers for Injured Workers, as well as other group associations that may be of interest to you.

• Check for ratings from popular legal directory sites, such as Avvo.com.
• Check for testimonials from previous clients

This is important to note what people, who previously hired this firm, had to say about the service they received.

• Look over the attorney profiles provided on the website

This gives you a more personal view of the attorneys as people, not only with the education and certifications they have but what they have accomplished so far in their lives. You may find personal interests in common as well.

• Select the top two to three attorneys, based on what you know so far
• Make appointments for an in-person consultation which is often free

The Questions to Bring to Your Consultation

While a website can give you an overview of what the attorneys are like, you want to know more about what types of cases they have had to litigate over their years as a professional in Arizona. They can give you overviews of cases without giving away client information. You are particularly interested in how they handle cases where benefits have been denied if that is the problem you have. Here are several sample questions.

• How much of the attorney’s practice is based on workplace injury and claims?

Ask if the attorney’s firm is fully devoted to helping workers or if they also take on employer or insurance company issues.

• What is the percentage rate of successful outcomes?
• Will the attorney will be handling all parts of your case personally?

You want to be sure that most of the work is done by your attorney within reason.

• What are acceptable communication expectations, both from you to the attorney and back to you?
• What are the fees for handling your type of case, and how and when are they processed?
• If you lose your case, what will you be financially responsible for to the attorney?

What to Bring to Your Consultation

Bring all your documentation of your accident, including copies of what you filed to the Industrial Commission of Arizona. Bring doctor and hospital records, your own personal written report, list of witnesses, anything that can help your case.

If you need help with your claim, call us at once to set up a consultation. 602-346-9009