Getting injured at work is always an unpleasant experience, which can sometimes leave long-lasting consequences, both physical and mental. The only thing that can make the whole experience even more painful is an employer who refuses to compensate you for your injuries. This is when you have to get familiar with the law and find a good compensation lawyer that can represent you and defend your case. To help you find a good one, here are a few tips you should follow.
Get referrals
The old-fashioned word of mouth is still one of the best ways to find what you need, and the field of law is not an exception to this “rule.” So, talk to your friends and family, ask your colleagues if they could perhaps recommend somebody. Get a few suggestions, and go from there – you can narrow down the list depending on your own case, their experience, availability, etc. Nevertheless, the first step is to find options.
Check out the law firm’s website
Another good method is to check the law firm’s website directly and look for lawyers that could help you. Of course, this is something you should do even if you get the lawyer’s name first, as you can often find other reviews on their firm’s website. Speaking of reviews, you can find them on social media too, especially if your lawyer has been in business for a while. So, do your homework before you decide, and check out as many reviews as you can find. This way, you’re more likely to be confident about your choice.
Pay attention to their reputation
When exploring the website, you should also check out the lawyer’s outcomes, if they are shown. If not, you can ask the firm directly, as you do have the right to know. The reason for this is really simple – if your lawyer has been successful in the past, if they’ve managed to get their clients the compensation they deserve, they are more likely to achieve the same result with you as well.
Look for somebody experienced
Related to the reputation, you also want experience. You want to look for an experienced compensation lawyer who has handled similar cases in the past, and has done so successfully. There are more than a few different sub-types of compensation attorneys, so try to find one that is familiar with your kind of case. The more time your lawyer has spent on similar cases, the more confident they will be about handling yours.
Communicate
Since your lawyer will be speaking on your behalf, you want them to have good communication skills. Moreover, you want your communication styles to match – if you like being kept up to date daily, you should find a lawyer who can do that without being reminded every day. On the other hand, if you are generally busy and okay with being notified once or twice a week, get a lawyer who can do that. In short, you need to be on the same page in terms of communication, so make sure to discuss this when meeting your lawyer.
Make sure they have time for you
As mentioned, it’s important to find an experienced and reputable lawyer, but it’s also essential to find one that actually has time for you. You want to know that they will be devoted to your case. So, when meeting them, ask them about the way they plan on handling it. For example, some lawyers have a team of assistants that help them manage everything on time without missing out on any important detail. Some lawyers only take as many cases as they can reasonably handle. Either way, don’t settle for a lawyer just because you’ve heard they are good – look for one that is both good and relatively available.
Ask them questions
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s your case, after all, and you should know everything about it. So, ask them about the process, and if they can give you an idea of how your case might resolve. Again, ask them about communication and how they will keep you informed. Of course, you should also ask them about the price of their services, expected timeline, etc. Keep in mind that you’re the one hiring them, so don’t feel pressured into anything that you’re not comfortable with. Ask them as many questions as you want, and make your decision based on their answers.
Sometimes, things can’t always be settled the easy way, which is when lawyers come into play. So, to improve your odds, choose your lawyer wisely. Don’t rush, don’t hesitate to ask questions, and you’re bound to get the compensation you deserve.
