Dealing with a work injury is never easy. Not only do you have the pain to deal with, but there’s also the possibility of missing hours from work and coping with costly medical bills. For this reason, you’ll need to make sure you secure workers’ compensation coverage from your employer, and that often requires the assistance of an attorney.
When it comes to deciding whether you need a lawyer for your workers’ compensation claim, you’ll be best served with an attorney at your side in most instances.
Instances Where a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Is Necessary
If you’re not sure whether you need an attorney to help you, consider the following situations. Typically, it’s best to have a lawyer if any of the following apply.
You Are Denied Benefits
First, the most obvious instance where you’ll need a lawyer is if your workers’ compensation benefits are denied. If your employer refuses to pay workers’ compensation, or if their insurance company seems to be trying to cut off your benefits, then you absolutely need an attorney to represent you.
Your Injury Is Fairly Major
In situations where your injury requires significant medical treatment and time off work, your employer is more likely to be resistant to paying benefits. An expensive injury will mean their insurance rates will go up, and the insurance company itself will try to keep their own expenses down. In these cases, you’ll need an attorney to advocate for your rights as well as to guide you through the process.
You Are Offered a Settlement
If the insurance company offers you a settlement, odds are, they’ll actually offer you far less than you deserve if you’re not represented by an attorney. You’ll need some legal clout on your side to negotiate for the right amount.
You Are Being Paid Benefits
Finally, and perhaps the most counterintuitively, you’ll want an attorney if it seems like things are going well with the insurance company. Even if they’re paying benefits and putting on a smile, you’ll still want to be cautious. If they decide to reduce or stop your benefits, having an attorney already on hand will make the process of filing a lawsuit much quicker.
Advantages of Having a Lawyer
When it comes to securing workers’ compensation benefits, there are many advantages to having an attorney. The following benefits make hiring a lawyer worthwhile.
- You’ll have legal representation during settlement negotiations, resulting in a higher settlement total.
- You’ll be more aware of your rights, meaning the insurance company is less capable of deceiving you.
- Filing a legal case will be quicker if you’ve had a lawyer from the beginning.
- You’ll typically have less stress when dealing with the insurance company.
In addition, it typically won’t cost you anything to hire a workers’ compensation attorney since most work on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay them if you’re successful in securing benefits.
Hiring an Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney
If you’ve been injured in a workplace accident, you’ll typically need an attorney unless your injury is especially minor. To get the legal representation you need, contact Hart David Carson LLP today.