You were injured at work in Phoenix. Arizona requires all employers to have workers’ compensation insurance. This is a no-fault system, so the insurance compensation should typically cover for your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. However, filing a workers’ comp claim and winning one is not always easy. You are required to file a claim with the Industrial Commission of Arizona, and they will inform the insurance company. The insurance company can use flimsy grounds to deny a claim.
Working with a dependable Phoenix workers’ compensation lawyer can actually help your case and help in getting a fair settlement. If you are hiring an attorney for the first time, below are some important facts to consider.
‘Do I need an attorney?’
That’s often a common question that injured workers ask. For most people, the immediate financial distress because of the job-related accident is huge to deal with. Hiring an attorney only seems like an added expense. Yes, you can handle your own workers’ compensation claim and complete the paperwork without an attorney. However, expertise and experience do come handy for such claims. If your claim is denied and you decide to appeal, you will need an attorney to take things forward. Like we mentioned, working with the insurance company won’t be easy, because they want to pay as less as possible for every claim. Let an attorney handle the negotiation for you.
Where to find workers’ compensation lawyers in AZ?
Ask around and find attorneys that your friends and coworkers may have worked with. Websites like Avvo are also handy for comparing options. The good news is most of the big law firms in Phoenix have their websites, so you can always find relevant details. Ensure that you meet a lawyer in person, before taking the call.
Conflict of interest
Is the workers’ compensation attorney associated with your employer in any way? Does the law firm work for employers in general? This could be a conflict of interest, and it makes sense to find an attorney, who is working for injured employees and workers only.
Cost of hiring workers’ comp lawyers
Most workers’ compensation attorneys in AZ work on a contingency fee, so they don’t get paid if they don’t win. Don’t shy away from asking about costs. Also, there is a cap to what a lawyer can charge for workers’ compensation cases – 25% in AZ.
Check and find a good lawyer immediately after a workplace accident.
