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Crucial Questions to Ask Workers Comp Attorneys

Crucial Questions to Ask Workers Comp Attorneys

  1. Who Do You Think Is Responsible for My Injury?

Many workers’ compensation cases, and personal injury cases, aren’t pursued because the injured employee feels that if their employer wasn’t at fault, there is no one to blame. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Contact Bobe & Snell Law Office LLC today at (470) 268-5802 if you are looking for an experienced, professional, dedicated, and reliable workplace injury lawyer Atlanta GA to help you file a workers’ compensation claim.

Workplace Injury Lawyer Atlanta GA

Workplace Injury Lawyer Atlanta GA

Workplace Injury Lawyer Atlanta GA

Workplace Injury Lawyer Atlanta GA: Crucial Questions to Ask Workers Comp Attorneys.

If you are an employee who has suffered a work-related injury or illness, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation. Unfortunately, employers or their insurance companies may deny workers’ comp claims, even when they are legitimate—which leaves injured employees to face a complex appeals system. At that point, most claimants simply give up, while others try their best to navigate the appeals system on their own. Did you know that the average workers’ compensation case takes around 16 months – 1 year and 4 months – to settle? It can be one of the most stressful experiences in your career. The uncertainty of it all. The fact that you and your family’s financial stability depends on it. It can sometimes feel like too large of a burden to bear. That is why it is essential to find the right workplace injury lawyer Atlanta GA to represent you. Hiring an experienced, professional, reputable, and dedicated workers’ compensation attorney will give you a much better chance of obtaining the compensation benefits that you deserve.

But the big question is how do you find the right attorney to hire to represent you? Remember, pursuing workers’ compensation can be a long process, and may leave you confused.

Here are some crucial questions that you should ask workplace injury attorneys to help you choose the right one to handle your claim/case. Be sure to ask them all as you search for your lawyer.

  1. Who Do You Think Is Responsible for My Injury?

Many workers’ compensation cases, and personal injury cases, aren’t pursued because the injured employee feels that if their employer wasn’t at fault, there is no one to blame. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

For example, say you were injured on the work floor when a forklift malfunctioned and dropped a heavy box on top of your foot. Most workers think “it was an unlucky accident” when, in reality, it may have been due to the negligence of a manufacturer.

In fact, several different parties might be at fault for your injury. It could be due to a negligent coworker, a negligent building owner, or faulty manufacturing.

During your consultation/case review, tell a workers’ comp attorney your entire story and ask him/her who he/she thinks might be at fault for your injury. From there, you can work to gather evidence to support your case.

  1. Does My Accident Qualify for Workers’ Comp?

Perhaps you are wondering if your injury or accident even qualifies you for workers’ compensation. Maybe you are curious if it is severe enough to warrant legal action. If so, then you should ask the attorney for their input.

Many common workplace accidents qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, including:

  • Struck-Against Injuries
  • Slips and Falls
  • Entanglement
  • Struck-By Injuries
  • Overexertion
  • Falling Injuries
  • Repetitive Motion Injuries
  • Electrocution Accidents
  • Motor Vehicle Accidents
  • Confrontation Injuries

Workers’ compensation-related injuries and illnesses include:

  • Broken Bones
  • Torn Ligaments
  • Mental Trauma
  • Airborne Illnesses
  • Spinal Injuries
  • Soft Tissue Injuries
  • Brain Injuries
  • Concussions
  • Depression & More

When you describe your situation and illnesses/injuries to a workplace injury lawyer Atlanta GA, he/she will put you into the category that best describes your accident. This will dictate how you go about gathering the evidence and building your case.

  1. Do You Have Experience Handling Workplace Injury Cases?

This is a vital part of finding the right lawyer for your case. Experience is the number one teacher in the world of law. You want to make sure your attorney has years of practice in workplace injury cases before he/she handles your case (and livelihood).

Ask any lawyer that you talk to about how many workers’ comp cases he/she has handled in the past. You can also ask these follow-up questions:

  • How many of those cases had similar injuries to mine?
  • How long did the settlement take for their specific cases?
  • How much compensation did you have them pursue? Did they get it?
  • Do you specialize in personal injury cases?
  • What is the longest that a settlement has taken for a client you represented?
  • Have any of the workers’ comp cases you have represented gone to trial?

Don’t be afraid to share specific details of your story. All of your statements are covered under attorney-client privilege. As long as your information is intended to be confidential, it falls under the umbrella of this privilege.

  1. How Should I Handle This Case Moving Forward?

To get the compensation that you are entitled to, you should follow the correct application process. One false move and your hopes of getting the compensation that you deserve could go out the window.

Your top priority should always be your health. Seek medical attention for your injuries or illnesses first and foremost.

After that, make sure that you report the incident (and all of your injuries) to your employer or supervisor as soon as possible. In the state of Georgia, the law allows you 30 days to report the injury after you have been hurt on the job. In some cases, just telling your supervisor or having a supervisor witness the accident without verbal confirmation could be enough.

Next, gather all medical documentation that you need and report the injury/illness to your employer. They will give you the proper paperwork to file a claim under their insurance provider.

If your employer has taken no action to provide you with either medical treatment or benefits, you have up to one year to file a notice with the SBWC about your claim. It requires a specific WC-14 form.

That same form can be filed within one year from the last medical treatment paid for by the workers’ compensation insurance carrier (and not your health insurance). The WC-14 is accepted within two years of the injury if you have received some lost wages, but are still seeking money because you cannot work, have work restrictions, or are earning less due to the injury.

Once you have done all that, it is time to hire an experienced and reliable workplace injury lawyer Atlanta GA and ask for their direction on the process moving forward. Ideally, you should be able to prioritize your recovery while they take over communication with the insurance company and oversee your claim.

  1. Will You Be Working With Me Directly?

You would be surprised how many attorneys don’t work on a one-by-one basis with their clientele. In fact, many law firms have paralegals to oversee your case and handle the different components of it.

It is also well-documented that certain lawyers hand things like paperwork off to interns and associates in their office. Even though you are paying for the attorney’s skills, you will risk receiving the error-filled work of an inexperienced staff at their firm.

Don’t leave that up to chance. Ask any workplace injury lawyer Atlanta GA you talk whether they will be working with you directly. How much of your case will they oversee? Do they delegate any tasks to others at their firm?

Keep in mind that there isn’t a correct answer. Ideally, the lawyer will handle much of the workload in your case, if not all. Whether or not you are comfortable with other employees at their firm chipping in is up to you to decide.

  1. What Is Your Success Rate?

If you didn’t think that lawyers keep track of their statistics, think again. Those that have high success rates are happy to share them with their clients. Those that don’t will rarely flaunt them and will try to actively avoid the conversation.

Be sure to ask any workers’ comp attorney that you speak with about their success rate with workers’ comp cases. You want to find an attorney that has no lower than a 70-percent success rate. This will help you feel confident in their skill set and the instructions they give you in your case.

Of course, it is all up to your personal preference as well. No matter what percentage they give you, you need to have them back it up. Ask them to tell you about some of their most successful cases, what they did differently, and how it can help your case.

  1. How Will You Prioritize My Recovery?

You should always make sure that your attorney prioritizes your health and recovery over everything else. Remember, the compensation you are searching for is meant to protect your medical expenses and financial future.

For that reason, you need to ask how the workplace injury lawyer Atlanta GA plans to prioritize your recovery while they represent you. What advice can they give you? How will they help you balance your medical needs with being actively involved in the case?

A professional and reputable lawyer will take the reins so that you can focus solely on getting back to 100 percent recovery. They will keep you informed on every step of the process and only pull you in when it is necessary.

To prepare for a long-term settlement, you should consider applying for pre-settlement funding. It can help you cover your medical expenses in the short term. You only should pay it back if you win your settlement. If not, you don’t owe them a penny.

  1. How Can I Keep in Contact With You?

You should never be left in the dark with your case. You should ensure that the workers’ comp lawyer you hire prioritizes keeping you in the loop. Ask them what their preferred methods of contact are. Do they prefer to keep in touch by phone? Are they more accessible by email? How can you reach out to them when you have a question?

There isn’t necessarily a correct form of communication. It is entirely up to what you would prefer. For example, if you would prefer to find a lawyer you can text whenever you have a question, communicate that interest to all that you speak with.

How to File A Workers Compensation Claim in Georgia

It is relatively easy to file in Georgia, but it is important to know the workers’ compensation system process, getting the initial form processed and not letting any details slip through the cracks.

The injured employee, the employer, and the insurance carrier all have roles to play in the process. But it starts with the employee, who ideally will inform their employer or supervisor immediately after the injury occurs before going to one of the six employer-provided doctors for medical treatment.

Georgia law states that the employee has 30 days from the date of the accident to report the injury. There is also a one-year statute of limitations on the claim to be effective, provided you met the 30-day stipulation of informing your employer.

Even if you do not feel the injury is major, timing is of the essence. On some occasions, you might suffer what seems like a muscle pull or a minor cut, and not feel it is worth the effort for immediate treatment. But in time, that muscle pull might become more severe or the cut could get infected. Perhaps several weeks after the fact, you might really need treatment.

So, it is vital to report your injury to a supervisor right away. Get it on record that you could need medical attention. That simple act could save you lots of frustration and aggravation. You can also consult a workplace injury lawyer Atlanta GA to advise you on the matter.

Employer’s Responsibility for Filing Claim

The employer and/or company responsible for handling workers’ compensation claims will investigate on-the-job accidents and injuries. The investigations are deemed necessary to determine how and why the injury occurred, then to possibly implement policies and procedures that will make the workplace safer.

Workers’ compensation will not provide benefits for an injury or accident resulting from an employee’s willful misconduct (defined as horseplay, fighting, willful act of a third party for personal reasons or injuries related to alcohol or drug abuse).

If the injury occurs due to inattentiveness or haste, it’ll generally be covered. But the employee might be subject to company discipline if they were not following company safety rules or policies.

The employer must file a report with its insurance carrier or self-insurer’s claims office immediately upon knowledge of a workplace injury. If the injured worker misses more than seven days due to the injury, the employer must inform the State Board of Workers Compensation within 21 days of that disability.

Georgia employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance coverage. Employees can report a suspicion of fraud or non-compliance to the Board’s Enforcement Division at (404) 657-7285.

Insurance Carrier’s Responsibility

The insurance carrier, which will conduct its own investigation, will file a First Report of Injury with the State Board of Workers Compensation. Copies will be mailed to the employee and employer. The insurance carrier is also obligated to mail a brochure to the injured employee that explains the rights, procedures, and benefits for obtaining benefits.

The insurance carrier will require all written statements and accident reports, along with the names of all witnesses and the employee’s payroll records for 13 weeks before the injury.

How to Appeal a Claim Denial

What if your workers’ compensation claim is denied in Georgia? You have rights and specific legal options to pursue. But more importantly, you need an experienced workplace injury lawyer Atlanta GA by your side to help you navigate the appeals system and file a successful appeal.

First, it is understandable if you are confused and angry over this roadblock. What happened? Your claim could be denied as a whole (meaning the insurance company does not believe there was an injury) or through a certain aspect (maybe medical treatment with a specific doctor or denial of a specific body part that the claim says was hurt on the job).

The insurance company could assert that your injuries are not catastrophic or it may not believe they were due to a workplace accident.

So how do you appeal? The process can be difficult, so it is advisable to hire a workers’ comp attorney, who can guide you through any reviews with the Georgia SBWC.

Here are the steps to appeal a claim denial:

  1. File A Claim – In a 2019 survey of Georgia plaintiffs who received benefits after initially being denied, more than half said they filed paperwork with the SBWC to challenge the insurance company’s decision.

The “notice of claim’’ (form WC-14) is good for one year after your injury or last medical treatment provided and two years after your last weekly disability payment. Get used to the details and paperwork. It is part of the process.

  1. Mediation –You might be offered a “mediation’’ session with the insurance company to reach a settlement. In Georgia, approximately 82% of the appeals cases are solved this way instead of a hearing. But if a settlement cannot be reached, the process continues.
  2. Hearing –It is an informal legal proceeding that typically takes place in a courtroom in the county where the injury occurred. Your attorney will make arguments and present evidence to a judge, who’ll make a decision within 30 days.
  3. Appellate Review –If you don’t like the judge’s hearing decision, your attorney can file an application at the SBWC’s appellate division for review within 20 days of the ruling. The appellate division makes its decision after evaluating written arguments from both sides.
  4. Court –If the SBWC appellate judge rules against you, there is one final recourse. You can go to the Georgia Court of Appeals (and subsequently to the Georgia Supreme Court). Your attorney must file that appeal in the county where you were injured within 20 days of the SBWC’s final order.

Find the Right Workers Comp Attorney for Your Case

Finding the right attorney to handle your workers’ compensation claim who can help you build a strong case and ensure that you get every step of the process right increases your chances of getting the compensation benefits that you deserve.

Workplace Injury Lawyer Atlanta GA

So, if you are looking for an experienced, professional, dedicated, and reliable workplace injury lawyer Atlanta GA to help you file a workers’ compensation claim, contact Bobe & Snell Law Office LLC today. We have a team of highly competent workers’ comp attorneys with over 30 years of experience handling workers’ comp claims and cases.

Call us now at (470) 268-5802 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a FREE, no-obligation case review/consultation.

Workplace Injury Lawyer Atlanta GA

Workplace Injury Lawyer Atlanta GA

Work Accident Injury

Work Accident Injury

Accidents can occur at workplaces anytime and the victims go through a lot physically, emotionally, and financially. If you are injured at your workplace, you will need some time off from work to recover from the injury. Contact Bobe & Snell Law Office LLC at (470) 268-5802 today.

Ask Your Lawyers Important Questions

Ask Your Lawyers Important Questions

In addition to the lawyer reviewing the details of your workplace injury, your first consultation with a workers’ compensation attorney will also give you a good opportunity to ask important questions to determine if you can hire him/her to represent you and handle your claim. Please call us at (470) 268-5802 we are ready any time to engage you and offer free, no-obligation case review.

Information That Might Help You Settle Your Workers’ Compensation Case

Information That Might Help You Settle Your Workers’ Compensation Case

No More Weekly Benefits- The first thing to know is that, if you settle your workers’ compensation case, you can never again receive any weekly benefits for that injury. Settling a workers’ compensation case closes that part of the case. Call us now at (470) 268-5802 If you need an experienced, professional, reputable, and dedicated Atlanta workplace injury attorney.

Atlanta Workplace Injury Attorney

Atlanta Workplace Injury Attorney

Atlanta Workplace Injury Attorney

Atlanta Workplace Injury Attorney: Should You Settle Your Workers’ Compensation Case?

If you have a workers’ compensation claim, you might be considering settling it and trying to work out how much money you should get. You should understand both what you gain—and what you give up—by settling. A workers’ compensation settlement provides a large sum of money upfront, but be sure you understand what you are giving up. Therefore, it is a good idea to consult with an experienced Atlanta workplace injury attorney who specializes in workers’ compensation law to find out if the settlement offer is fair.

Often, a workers’ comp attorney can negotiate a higher settlement with the insurance company than you could do on your own. In that case, you will still come out ahead after the attorney’s fee is taken out of your settlement, because workers’ comp lawyers generally charge a percentage of what you receive.

Here is some useful information that might help you decide whether to settle your workers’ compensation case.

No More Weekly Benefits

The first thing to know is that, if you settle your workers’ compensation case, you can never again receive any weekly benefits for that injury. Settling a workers’ compensation case closes that part of the case.

Medical Payments Might Continue

Some states require the insurer to continue paying medical benefits after settlement, but other states allow insurers to terminate medical benefits upon settlement of a workers’ compensation case.

You should check with your state’s workers’ compensation agency or a workers’ compensation attorney in your state to find out whether your state requires medical payment benefits to continue after a settlement.

Even in a state where medical benefits are supposed to continue after settlement, be aware that if you settle your workers’ compensation case, the insurer will likely be reluctant to continue paying for your medical benefits.

You might find that your medical bills don’t get paid quickly or even at all. If this happens, you will need to file a claim with your state’s workers’ compensation agency to force the insurer to pay your medical bills.

The Settlement Must Be Approved by the State Workers’ Compensation Agency

Just because you, your lawyer, and your insurer agree to settle the case does not mean that it will be settled. Most, if not all, states require that you and the insurer submit the proposed settlement to the state workers’ compensation agency for approval.

The agency will hold a hearing, and the workers’ compensation judge or hearings officer will review the proposed settlement with you. Only if the judge or hearing officer is satisfied that you voluntarily agreed to the settlement, that you understand the settlement terms, and that the settlement is in your best interests, will the settlement be approved.

It is not unusual for judges or hearings officers to reject the settlement if they believe that the injured employee didn’t get enough money from the settlement.

How To Determine The Amount of a Workers’ Compensation Settlement

Because workers’ compensation benefits have nothing to do with pain and suffering (unlike a personal injury claim), calculating the value of a workers’ compensation settlement is based primarily on two things:

  • the amount of workers’ compensation benefits that you might be entitled to in the future, and
  • the likelihood of actually receiving those benefits.

Estimate the Amount of Future Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Your future workers’ compensation benefits are based on the medical evidence in your case and how long your state’s workers’ compensation laws allow you to receive those benefits.

As an example, let’s say that you are on temporary total disability, that all of your doctors, as well as the insurer’s doctor, agree that you will be totally disabled for another two years and that you’ll then be fully recovered from your injury, with no permanent impairment.

In that case, you would be entitled to another two years of temporary total disability benefits, so it wouldn’t make sense to settle your case for a lump sum less than the value of two years of temporary total disability benefits unless you really need the money right now.

Even then, if you have an Atlanta workplace injury attorney, it might not make much sense to settle the case at all because your attorney’s fees will come out of the settlement.

Consider the Likelihood of Receiving Your Benefits

Let’s change the above example a little. Let’s say that the insurer’s doctor thinks that you can return to work now, and you have a hearing coming up next week in which your benefits might be terminated.

Now, your future entitlement to benefits could be anywhere from one week to two more years of weekly compensation.

Let’s also say that you and your lawyer agree that the insurer’s doctor’s opinion is stronger than your own doctor’s opinion. In that case, it is more likely than not that you will only get another week of benefits, and so you might want to settle your case before the hearing for an amount that reflects your likelihood of having your benefits terminated at the hearing.

What If You Are on Permanent Total Disability?

Estimating the value of a settlement is more complicated if you are on permanent total disability because your weekly benefits might continue for decades. Thus, an estimate of the settlement value must consider the present value of your future entitlement to benefits.

Present value is a financial concept that involves determining the value of a future stream of income (for example, future weekly workers’ compensation benefits) as if it were all in a bank account today.

In other words, how much money does the insurance company need in a bank account today to pay you weekly benefits for, say, the next twenty years? This is a complex financial calculation.

If you are on permanent total disability and do not have a lawyer, you should not consider settling your case without speaking with an Atlanta workplace injury attorney.

Settlement Structure

The actual wording of the settlement can be important to protect your right to other types of benefits in the future. This is where the fee for a workers’ comp attorney can really pay off.

For example, say you apply for and receive Social Security disability benefits. Those benefits could be lower because of your workers’ comp settlement—if it wasn’t worded in a certain way.

Also, before you sign any settlement agreement, make sure you know the answer to these two questions:

  • Will your workers’ comp claim be completely closed following the settlement, or will it stay open (or can it be reopened) to pay for future medical costs?
  • Does the settlement amount represent all new money, or does it include permanent disability advances that you’ve already received?

The details of a workers’ comp settlement can be tricky. Unless your permanent disability is rated 10% or less, you should strongly consider speaking to an experienced workers’ comp lawyer about your options for settlement and what a fair amount would be for someone with your medical impairments.

Judge’s Review of the Settlement

In most states, a workers’ comp judge will have to review your settlement before it becomes official. This will take place at an informal conference.

If you are not represented by a lawyer, the judge may attempt to make sure the settlement is fair to you. But without knowing your medical history, the judge is limited in helping you.

Atlanta Workplace Injury Attorney

If you need an experienced, professional, reputable, and dedicated Atlanta workplace injury attorney to represent you, contact Bobe & Snell Law Office LLC today. We will fight aggressively and tirelessly for you so that you settle your case in a way that ensures you get the workers’ comp benefits that you need and deserve.

Call us now at (470) 268-5802 or get in touch with us online to schedule a FREE, NO-OBLIGATION case review and consultation.

Atlanta Workplace Injury Attorney

Atlanta Workplace Injury Attorney