If you were injured at work, you should know that you have the legal right to hire a workers compensation lawyer to represent you. Choosing to exercise this right can greatly improve your chances of getting the workers compensation benefits that you are entitled to. Unfortunately, far too many people fail to exercise this right. Oftentimes this is because these individuals do not fully understand their rights when it comes to hiring a compensation attorney. Taking the time to review the three important facts below can help to ensure you do not make this same mistake.
#1: Your Employer Cannot Retaliate Against You
One of the most common reasons that people choose not to hire a workers comp lawyer is because they are worried about how this will impact their relationship with their employer. If you are worried that you will be fired, demoted, or otherwise punished for choosing to hire an attorney, you should know that the law protects you against this type of retaliation. In fact, your employer could face serious fines or even criminal charges if they attempt to retaliate based on your decision to hire a workers compensation lawyer. Consequently, you should never let fear of workplace retaliation prevent you from seeking out the legal services that you require.
#2: Your Ability To Pay Upfront Will Not Impact Your Ability To Retain Counsel
Another common reason people choose to try and handle their own workers comp claims rather than hiring a lawyer is that they simply do not believe they can afford to hire a lawyer. If you are worried that your financial situation will prevent you from retaining an attorney, you should know that there really is nothing to worry about. Workers compensation lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means that you do not need to pay any money upfront and that you only pay legal fees if the lawyer wins your case.
#3: You Can Seek Legal Counsel Even If You Were Initially Denied
If your workers compensation benefits were denied, you may think that your right to hire a workers compensation lawyer is no longer valid. However, this is often the most important time to seek out the services of an attorney. This is because having an attorney on your side when appealing a denial in your case can greatly increase your chances of successfully appealing this decision. If you have received a denial in your case, be sure to immediately file for an appeal in order to prevent any missed deadlines, and then get on the phone and contact an attorney regarding your case.
Contact a workers compensation lawyer for more information.
