If you’ve been the victim of an accident in the workplace, you likely came across this page after searching for “how do I hire a lawyer for work injury?” While nobody expects to suffer an injury on the job, accidents happen. Depending on the type of accident and how it occurred, you may be eligible for financial compensation.
Choosing the right attorney to file your claim for workers' compensation in New Jersey is essential. Here are five simple steps for finding a qualified personal injury lawyer.
Seek Referrals and Read Reviews
The answer to “how do I hire a lawyer for work injury?” starts with finding the right attorney.
If you know someone who has successfully won compensation for a personal injury case, whether a relative or co-worker, ask them if they can recommend anyone. It will help you narrow down your search and find a workers’ compensation lawyer quicker.
You should also read reviews online before selecting a lawyer to represent you. Most lawyers post client testimonials and reviews on their websites. You can also look for reviews on third-party platforms, like Google, Yelp, and Facebook.
That will give you a general idea of how friendly the lawyer is, how easy it is to work with them, and whether they successfully achieved positive client outcomes.
Request a Free Consultation
Once you’ve narrowed your options to a few attorneys in your area with excellent reviews, reach out to them and request free consultations. A good lawyer will offer a free consultation so you can learn more about them, what kind of compensation you might be eligible for, and how they can help you.
The free consultation is your chance to get a feel for what working with the lawyer will be like. Feel free to ask questions. You want to see transparency from the lawyer about their track record and the methods they use. You should also ask how long the process will take and how they will ensure you get the most compensation possible.
If the attorney doesn’t offer a free consultation, stay away.
Evaluate Your Options
After your free consultation, you’ll have a better idea of the pros and cons of working with that specific lawyer. You’ll understand more about the things that make them right for your case, including:
- Trial experience
- A lengthy track record handling cases like yours
- Specific cases they can point to as examples of their success
- A broad network of people they can work with, including medical professionals and expert witnesses, to get maximum compensation
Insurance companies and employers will try to wiggle their way out of paying for work-related injuries. A good lawyer will know the sneaky tricks the insurance companies use to prevent you from getting compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other injuries.
It can be hard to go against the insurance companies alone, but having an experienced legal expert on your side will make things easier.
Understand the Fees
Before signing a contract with the lawyer, ensure you understand their fees. A good personal injury lawyer will work with you on a contingency basis, so you won’t have to pay anything upfront.
Instead, the lawyer will only receive a payment if you win the case. They can either come to a settlement agreement with the insurance company or bring your case to trial, if necessary. In either case, they will receive a percentage of your compensation.
In New Jersey, the law decides how much percentage personal injury lawyers can charge. Attorneys can’t just charge 50% or any other percentage they want.
If your lawyer is working on a contingency basis, you know they will give your case their very best, as they have a vested interest in ensuring you win. It’s a win-win for both of you, and you don’t have to spend money upfront.
Sign the Agreement
Your search for “how do I hire a lawyer for work injury?” is almost over. The last step is to make things official by signing a contract with your lawyer. You’ll feel a sense of relief and be able to sit back and rest, knowing that an experienced attorney will do all the work for you.
Why spend time arguing with the insurance company and your employer when you should be recuperating from your injury?
A workers' compensation attorney will collect evidence, contact witnesses, and more to make sure your case is rock solid. Once you have a lawyer on your side, the insurance company will likely be more interested in coming to a settlement. Your lawyer can always take the case to court if it doesn't.
Do You Need a New Jersey Work Injury Lawyer?
While the process to obtain workers compensation benefits or file an injury claim may seem straight-forward, going it alone can be challenging. Why not have a partner by your side, advocating for your best interests? At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, we are dedicated to assisting clients throughout New Jersey – from Jersey City to Trenton – with their workers’ compensation cases. We have years of experience and the extensive resources you need to secure a fair case result. Contact our NJ work injury lawyers today.