Questions to Ask a California Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
When you’ve been hurt on the job, a workers’ compensation attorney can provide valuable help in getting the compensation you’re owed for your injuries and missed work. It’s important to take time to find the right attorney for you by interviewing potential attorneys. Below, you’ll find a list of the most important questions to ask before hiring a California workers’ compensation lawyer.
How long have you been representing injured workers, and how much of your work is devoted to workers’ compensation cases?
California workers’ compensation law is a highly specialized field that combines aspects of administrative law, insurance law, and personal injury law. It’s very important to find an attorney who understands and has experience in this field. Seasoned workers’ compensation attorneys can benefit their clients with their relationships with local judges and insurance adjusters, knowledge of important filing deadlines and procedures, and experience in succeeding on behalf of injured clients.
What are the weaknesses and strengths of my claim?
Few claims for workers’ compensation benefits are perfect, and if a potential lawyer says otherwise, they may not be telling you the whole truth in an effort to sound confident in their ability to win on your behalf. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney will be able to provide you with an honest assessment of both the strong and weak aspects of your claim for benefits so that you can have realistic expectations for the outcome of your claim.
Who will be handling my claim? Who can I ask for updates on my case?
Sometimes a more senior attorney will handle an initial client interview but will then pass off the claim to a junior associate once the client has signed an agreement with the firm. Make sure to ask who will be personally responsible for your claim. This gives you the chance to meet that attorney and find out if they’re a good match for you. This way, you’ll also know who to ask for updates on the progress of your case, or if your attorney will provide updates to you on a regular basis.
Are there past clients who might be willing to talk to me about the firm?
Many workers’ compensation lawyers are happy to provide references from former clients who can speak to their skill as an attorney. If you’d like additional assurance that you’re making the right choice when it comes to hiring a Los Angeles workers’ compensation lawyer, ask if you might be able to speak with a former client about their experience with the attorney.
For seasoned, professional, and effective legal help getting workers’ compensation benefits in California, contact the Arcadia workers’ compensation lawyer Dulio R. Chavez for a free consultation on your case at 626-357-3303.