Work-related injury lawsuits can be complicated. You know you aren’t to blame for a work-related injury or illness, but the expenses keep piling up. Yet it can be hard to obtain the compensation and benefits you’re entitled to without a work injury lawyer in Los Angeles (even if your employer has workers’ compensation insurance).
In 2022, there were 2.8 million non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.’ If you’ve been hurt on the job, here are some tips for finding the best lawyer for a work injury case.
1. Understand the Type of Accident/Injury
A workplace injury can occur in any setting. However, work-related injuries are most common in the healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and transportation/warehousing industries. Consider the location of the accident and the circumstances surrounding it, so you can more easily find an attorney familiar with that type of situation. An experienced personal injury attorney can represent a client who was harmed by:
- A slip, trip, and fall
- Overexertion or repetitive strain
- Exposure to harmful substances
- A transportation incident
- Contact with sharp/heavy objects or equipment
- An act of violence
- A fire or explosion
2. Know What Steps to Take After an Accident
Taking the right steps immediately after a work accident can protect your legal rights. It can also impact your eligibility to receive compensation and other benefits. These steps include:
- Report the Injury Right Away: Depending on where you live or work, you may have a limited time to report an injury. Exceeding this timeframe can mean losing eligibility for benefits. Be sure to report the incident to an employer or supervisor as soon as possible.
- Submit a Written Injury Report: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to provide workplace injury reports to employees. Your report and the facts provided can serve as evidence for negotiating a settlement.
- Seek Medical Care: Immediate medical care protects your health and your rights. Whether it’s a minor injury or something more serious with delayed symptoms, obtaining a medical report makes it harder for your employer (or its insurer) to dispute your injuries. It also ensures you’re fully diagnosed and treated.
- File a Workers’ Compensation Claim: In California, you have 30 days to report an incident, and the claim must be filed within one year. Employers must also follow the rules for accepting, rejecting, or delaying a decision on a claim. The documentation you submit should explain the accident and the nature of your injury and be submitted by your employer to the state workers’ compensation board.
3. Search Online for Work Injury Lawyers in Los Angeles
You want to find the best lawyer for your work injury claim, but you need to know which law firms can take on your case. Some attorneys specialize in work-related injury claims. Start by searching for “work injury lawyers in Los Angeles”. A search engine can quickly provide results that meet your criteria. Then you can visit various firms’ websites to read about what they do and what kind of experience they have.
*Don’t limit your research to the top results. These are often law firms that have paid for top search positions.
4. Find Law Firms that Handle Work Injury Claims
Internet search results often include many types of law firms. Narrowing down your search to those that only handle work injury claims can make the process less overwhelming. Therefore, cut out any firm that does not regularly handle these types of claims.
Avoid “Jack of all trades” types of lawyers and law firms. Some legal professionals are very skilled in multiple areas of law. However, when it comes to a workplace injury case, you need someone who focuses their skills and expertise in this area, as workplace injury law often involves sensitive matters.
5. Ask Someone You Know for a Referral
By now, you’ve probably read a few online reviews. These can say a lot about a law firm’s quality of service. However, it can be hard to take someone’s word for it, especially if you don’t know them. That’s why asking a family member, friend, or colleague if they’ve worked with an injury attorney is a good idea. They may be connected with an effective lawyer. Also, if you’ve worked with a lawyer on a different matter, they may provide a referral to someone in their professional network.
6. Know the Best Qualities to Look For
When vetting work injury lawyers in Los Angeles, it helps to know the qualities of an effective attorney. Treat your initial interaction like a job interview. A reputable lawyer will likely provide a free consultation so you can evaluate these attributes:
- Experience: Note how many years of experience they have in workplace injury law and the types of cases they’ve handled. Look for memberships with organizations such as the Workers’ Compensation Trial Lawyers Association.
- Knowledge: Does the attorney share their expertise openly and sound like they know how to win your case? Their personality is a good indicator. Even if they have five-star reviews and a plethora of industry recognitions, what’s important is that you’re comfortable with them and their expertise is accessible to you.
- Communication: Assess how open and honest an injury lawyer is likely to be. Ask how they’ll keep you informed during the case and the best way to stay in touch with them. A lawyer may have a record of success. But your experience will be much better if your calls are answered and you can easily schedule an appointment.
7. Ask the Lawyer the Right Questions
By asking the following questions, you can assess an attorney’s level of expertise and determine if they’re the best lawyer for your work injury claim:
- How long have you been handling workplace injury claims?
- Do you have experience handling workers’ compensation claims?
- Is your practice mainly involved in work injury law?
- Can you provide references such as former clients or colleagues?
- Will you represent me in court if the case goes that far?
- Who handles most of the casework in your office?
- How do your attorneys’ fees work?
- What will I owe you if my case doesn’t win?
- Can you estimate the value of my case and how do you do so?
- What are the odds of my case being successful?
Contact The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani
If you need a work injury lawyer in Los Angeles, Jacob Emrani will fight for your rights and maximum compensation from your workers’ compensation claim. Our seasoned attorneys are familiar with California’s unique rules on workers’ comp claims, payments, and procedures. They also provide representation for a wide range of cases. If you’ve been injured at work, you could recover compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, and more. Call (888) 952-2952 today for your free consultation.
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