According to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were over 2.6 million workplace injuries and illnesses reported in 2021. That same year, 5,190 workers died from their injuries, a number which is up 8.9 percent from the year before. This data only proves how prevalent workplace injuries are in the country.
These devastating injuries occur mainly due to the negligence of employers who fail to protect their workers. In many cases, profit is put ahead of worker safety, resulting in disastrous consequences. When you are hurt at work, you deserve to be compensated for your losses.
Call Siegfried & Jensen today at (801) 845-9000 for a free workplace injury consultation. In over 30 years of service, we have helped our clients win over $1.2 billion in settlements, and we only get paid when our clients win.
Should You Hire a Work Injury Lawyer?
Workers who are injured on the job should be protected by their employers. What’s more, receiving compensation for any losses relating to workplace injuries should be easy. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.
Getting the benefits you desperately need while unable to work is crucial, and any delays can be harmful. So what can you do?
Hiring a work injury lawyer means you get to relax and let him or her do all the work. An experienced lawyer will be able to guide you through the workers’ compensation process. He or she may be able to alert you to any other benefits and settlements you may be eligible to receive.
Other ways a work injury lawyer can help you include:
- Ensuring you do not miss any paperwork deadlines
- Protecting your rights to compensation
- Calculating how much money your damages are worth
- Researching all potential avenues of compensation
- Negotiating with your employer and the insurance company
- Offering invaluable advice throughout the process
- Helping you decide when it is okay for you to return to work
What Qualities Should You Look for in a Work Injury Lawyer?
All you have to type into a search engine is “work injury lawyer near me” and you will come up with hundreds, if not thousands, of results. The last thing you should do is pick at random. Instead, research and choose a lawyer best suited for your situation.
There are several important qualities to look for when considering hiring a work injury lawyer. The following are several valuable points that separate good work injury attorneys from those who might not be the best fit.
Experience
Choosing an attorney with experience means he or she has successfully handled many more cases than others who only handled them a few times. Who would you rather have handling your work injury case? These situations can be complex, so hiring an attorney who has handled many cases is essential.
Experienced attorneys also have developed expert negotiation skills over time. He or she is less likely to be intimidated by difficult situations. With experience also comes knowledge, so your attorney will be able to handle the situation with ease.
Results
An attorney who has achieved great results, meaning he or she won a high percentage of cases, is something else to look for. Take note, if an experienced attorney has been around for a long time and still has a high winning percentage, then you are on the right track.
You may want to hire a less experienced attorney to get a cheaper rate. However, the results of your case may impact your quality of life. So, finding an attorney with a history of great results can give you peace of mind in the long run.
Resources
Another important quality you want an attorney to have is vast resources. Some attorneys do not have the capital necessary to invest in their cases. For example, hiring medical experts to testify on your behalf requires upfront money.
Since most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, they do not get paid until their clients win. You are not giving your attorney money until after the case is over. If he or she is part of a larger firm with resources, it can make a difference in your case.
When Should You Hire a Work Injury Lawyer?
The best time to start examining work injury lawyers is right away. You will likely need help with your claim as soon as possible. You can make mistakes along the way that can dramatically impact how much you receive.
Another point to consider are deadlines for filing a work injury claim. Most states have a statute of limitations on when you must notify your employer and make your claim. Your lawyer will ensure every procedure is followed precisely and on time so you do not miss out.
What Questions Should I Ask a Work Injury Lawyer?
As you go about your search for the right work injury lawyer, you may find several who stand out to you. The next step should be to call to schedule a free consultation where you can learn more about them and their processes.
Questions you should ask a prospective work injury lawyer include:
- How long have you been practicing?
- How many work injury cases have you handled?
- What strategies do you use in work injury cases?
- Is there anything I must do to improve the odds of winning?
- How much do you charge on average?
- Do I have a case?
- How many cases do you handle at a time?
- Will I be passed off to another firm?
- Will I have to go to trial?
- How long will it be before I get paid?
- Where do we go from here?
You may have a list of questions you want to ask about your situation. It is important to listen carefully to the attorney’s answers. Notice whether he or she is a good listener and takes time to address your concerns.
What If I Cannot Afford to Hire a Work Injury Lawyer?
After being involved in a work injury, you may be facing difficult financial circumstances. Depending on the severity of the incident, you could be dealing with mounting medical bills and missing time from work. In this situation, the last thing you need to worry about is paying a lawyer.
The good news is most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis. He or she will handle all the costs from beginning to end, so you will not have to pay unless you win your case. This means you will not have the burden of having to pay anything out of pocket.
Call Siegfried & Jensen Today for a Free Case Evaluation
When searching for a work injury lawyer near you with experience and resources, look no further than Siegfried & Jensen. Our firm has helped clients get the compensation they deserve since 1990. In that time, we have won 97 percent of our cases, proving that results do matter.
Our goal is to always provide our clients with top-notch legal support so they can get their lives back on track. Having handled work-related injuries for over 30 years, we understand what you are going through. Our team will fight hard to ensure you are taken care of from the moment we take on your case.
Call Siegfried & Jensen right away at (801) 845-9000 for a free case evaluation. You can even send us a message here on our website. Our representatives are available at your convenience 24/7.
