According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), insurance companies pay out more than $40 million per year on workers compensation claims.
If you’ve been injured on the job, you deserve compensation to help you heal from any damages you’ve suffered. Accidents can lead to physical, mental, and emotional trauma. While nothing can take away the pain of what you’ve experienced, the right legal team can help ensure that you’re fully supported as you take your next steps.
Choosing the right workers compensation law firm is the first part of the process. Today, we’re sharing what to look for as you begin your search.
Ask Trusted Sources
If you’ve been hurt at work and it’s time to file a claim, you can begin by asking trusted friends, family members, and colleagues if they’ve ever been in a similar situation. These types of cases are more common than you might think, and they may be able to recommend a few local attorneys for you to consider.
Of course, you’ll still need to do your own homework and due diligence to ensure that any firm you check out is legitimate. However, this can be a great place to start.
Read Reviews
In today’s Digital Age, you can read reviews about nearly every product or service before you use it. Use this resource to your advantage when hiring a lawyer!
If you’re trying to choose between a few strong options, read what others are saying about their experience there. Most law firms will post client testimonials directly on their websites, so you can go straight to the source.
If you can’t find any feedback there, perform a quick Google search of the firm’s name. This should take you to their Google Business Profile (GBP) at the top of the search engine results page. In addition, to contact and location information, each GBP also includes a place for user reviews.
Check Credentials
Before hiring any workers compensation lawyer, take the time to carefully check the team’s credentials. The lawyers you work with should be esteemed and experienced in their field, with academic and professional accolades that speak to their expertise.
If you can’t find this information online, reach out to the firm directly to get more information. When you team with Kaplan Young, these details are available on our Attorneys page. Both Mr. Kaplan and Ms. Young are members of the State Bar of Nevada and are licensed to practice in all Nevada State Courts, in addition to the United States District Court for the District of Nevada.
Ask About Similar Cases
When you’re in the throes of a workers compensation case, it can feel like you’re the only person in the world who has had this experience. However, on-the-job injuries happen frequently, especially in Nevada. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employers in the private industry sector reported nearly 30,000 non-fatal workplace-related injuries and illnesses in the Silver State in 2021.
Before making a hiring decision, ask every prospective workers compensation attorney to describe how many cases they’ve worked on that were similar to yours. Then, ask them to share the outcomes of those cases. Knowing their success rate to date can help you measure how likely it is that you will receive a favorable outcome.
If the legal team isn’t experienced in the specific field of workers compensation law, then continue your search elsewhere. You need an attorney who understands state laws and regulations, knows exactly which forms to complete and file, and is well-versed in negotiating with insurance agencies.
Measure Thought Leadership
Successful, knowledgeable lawyers enjoy sharing their insights and expertise with others. As you browse each firm’s website, check to see if they have a blog or a place to share news, updates, and articles. If so, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is the information recent and up-to-date?
- Are the guides helpful?
- Has the firm established thought leadership in the workers compensation space?
You can find an example of this on our Media page. Here, we share relevant news articles that we believe will apply to our current, past, and future clients. You can also find YouTube videos of some of our top tutorials, from a fee tutorial to guides covering topics like “What to do after a car accident.”
Understand Fee Structure
Finally, it’s always important to understand fee structure when hiring an attorney.
Most personal injury and workers compensation attorneys work on what’s called a contingency basis. This means that they don’t get paid unless your claim results in a successful payout. Then, they’ll take a portion of their fees from your final settlement earnings.
While this is usually the case, it isn’t the rule. Some lawyers will work at an hourly rate, while others will charge a flat fee to provide their services. There isn’t a right or wrong way to approach this agreement, but the important factor is for you to fully understand the charges you will encounter.
You don’t want to be surprised by any hidden fees, especially when you’re trying to recover and reclaim your quality of life. Before signing on the dotted line, get all of the charges in writing and ask the lawyer to explain any parts that seem unclear.
Contact Our Workers Compensation Law Firm
The right workers compensation law firm can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. If you’ve been injured at work, you deserve to rest, knowing that your claim is in capable, experienced hands.
At Kaplan Young, we’re proud to specialize in this field, along with personal injury, litigation, and business transactions. If you need a lawyer in Las Vegas, feel free to contact us today to learn more or schedule a consultation.
