2. There are thousands of workers' compensation
attorneys vying for your business, but
choosing one that will provide you with the
best representation can be difficult. Time is
important when filing a workers' comp claim,
but don't rush into hiring an
attorney in silver springs maryland that you
won't be happy with.
3. 1. Look for workers' compensation attorneys in
your area.
There are plenty of resources online to find a
lawyer in your area. Lawyers.com, state and local
bar association websites, and even general search
sites can provide you with a list of names to look
into.
Another effective way to find a trustworthy
attorney in your area is to ask around. Friends and
family who have had experience with a law firm
may be able to either suggest or warn you about
their lawyer.
4. 2. Narrow the list.
Once you have a list of possible attorneys, narrow
it down by doing some research and eliminating
firms based on qualities you are looking for. For
example, if you want an attorney who is close and
easy to travel to, then get rid of the firms that are
too far away. Or if you want a lawyer who is
bilingual, then focus on the firms that offer this
service.
5. 3. Schedule a consultation.
When you have a short list of possible lawyers-2
or 3 is sufficient-contact each of them to schedule
a consultation. In most cases, attorneys will not
charge a fee for the first consultation, so take
advantage of this opportunity.
At the consultation be sure to ask the attorney
questions about their experience to determine if
they will be able to properly handle your case.
Some questions to get you started are:
6. • What is their background in workers' compensation law?
• Do they regularly represent employees or employers?
• How long have they handled workers' compensation cases?
• Have they had prior experience with your employer's insurance
company?
• Are they a good listener?
• Do you feel comfortable around them?
• Is the office staff friendly (since you may be interacting with
them if they take on your case)?
7. 4. Select an attorney.
Now that you have done research and met with the
possible attorneys, it's decision time.
Remember, worker's compensation cases can extend
up to several years, depending on the case, so make
sure the attorney you choose is not only capable of
providing you with the best representation, but
accessible and engaging enough to make you feel
comfortable.