No one plans to be hurt at work. Once you are hurt, it can be very overwhelming. There are endless questions about your injury, your wages, your future. One question that inevitably arises is “When should I talk to a lawyer?” This is a sister question of when to hire a lawyer, but this question specifically discusses when to talk to a lawyer.
Injured workers looking to protect themselves should always talk to a lawyer after they are hurt at work. Talking to a lawyer is not the same thing as hiring one. There is no commitment when simply speaking with a lawyer. The simple truth is that the workers’ compensation system is extremely complex. Lawyers are able to navigate the system with knowledge an injured worker may not possess. An experienced lawyer can help an injured worker avoid common missteps made in those early days following an injury.
For instance, there are many different layers to reporting a work injury. This is not just a confusing process for injured workers—employers can also not understand the process fully. If an injured worker begins receiving lost wage pay and medical coverage following an injury, it would be easy to assume the injury was reported properly. However, this may not necessarily be the case. If an injury is not reported properly and processed through the correct channels from the beginning, there could be issues down the road.
At the end of the day, there is no harm in contacting a lawyer. Even if you do not wish for a lawyer to step in to take control of your claim, you can always keep your lawyer in your back pocket for advice if something feels off or the insurance carrier begins to give you problems. You can simply contact your lawyer if there is something you are unsure about before acting.
What is particularly great about our firm is that we provide free consultations with our attorneys, so no matter your financial situation, you will be able to speak with a lawyer free of charge.
What you must remember is that there is no expectation for injured workers to be knowledgeable about the workers’ compensation laws. It is the lawyer’s job to represent people who are not savvy in the law. If you have any questions, even if they seem silly, you should call a lawyer and set up an initial consultation. A lawyer will be able to tell you from the start what you can expect and if you truly need to hire an attorney.
So, what does our firm think the answer is if injured workers should contact a lawyer after their injury? Always.
If you have more questions, you can check out our video or contact the firm to speak directly with a lawyer today.