Can I Hire a Contingency Lawyer for a Workers’ Comp Case?

Pursuing workers’ compensation after an injury at work can be overwhelming and confusing. However, hiring a lawyer on a contingency fee basis can ease the burden while maximizing your potential settlement. Under a contingency arrangement, the attorney only collects payment if they successfully recover your compensation and any other reward.

Contingency agreements incentivize lawyers to achieve the best possible outcome because their fee depends on it. This model also expands access to an experienced Columbus contingency lawyer for injured workers who may not have the means to pay high retainers or hourly rates. For workers’ compensation cases, contingency fees can benefit the employee and attorney by aligning their interests in securing adequate compensation.

Why a Contingency Fee Structure Can Benefit Workers’ Comp Cases

Contingency fee agreements take the financial risk from the client and place it on the lawyer. The worker pays nothing upfront if the case is unsuccessful. The lawyer only collects if compensation is awarded, providing access to representation that an injured employee may not otherwise be able to afford.

A contingency fee motivates the lawyer to get the most out of the settlement as possible. Their payment depends on the amount recovered, which can look different for various lawyers. They will work diligently to ensure proper compensation for lost wages, medical costs, and disabilities, and larger awards mean larger fees, often around 33% of the amount.

Workers’ compensation cases involve fighting through complex claims processes. Not to mention, there are obscure laws that an injured employee may struggle to understand on their own without the help of a lawyer. This allows the injured worker to benefit from top-notch legal guidance without anxiety over ever-increasing hourly fees or retainers that are exhausted before the case is resolved.

How a Contingency Lawyer Can Help with Your Workers’ Comp Case

An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can navigate the claims process to maximize your settlement. They know how to prove your injuries were caused at work and calculate all costs and losses. Their guidance helps ensure you receive fair compensation.

A contingency fee lawyer handles communications and paperwork related to your case, so you do not have to worry about that part. You can focus on treatment and recovery while they deal with adjusters, doctors, and employers. This takes the burden off you through the lengthy and confusing process.

If your claim gets denied, a contingency attorney can appeal on your behalf, so you do not have to do much except heal. They fight to prove your case warrants compensation with the in-depth experience and legal jargon they know. Without skilled representation, denied claims often go abandoned, leaving injured workers uncompensated.

When You Lose Your Workers’ Comp Case

If your workers’ compensation claim gets denied, you owe no attorney’s fees under a contingency arrangement. Since compensation was not awarded, the lawyer will not receive their percentage payment for the case. There is nothing you have to do at this point.

Losing your claim, unfortunately, means you will not receive benefits to cover medical treatment, lost wages, or permanent disability costs. However, you will not have to pay your contingency lawyer for their time spent working on your case. You and your lawyer can determine if you want to take another route.

After a denial, your contingency fee lawyer can advise you whether you have the grounds to appeal the decision. If they believe the case still has potential, they may be willing to continue pursuing compensation on your behalf. If you go this route, make sure to discuss your options thoroughly before giving up on your claim completely.

Types of Workers’ Comp Cases

Workers’ compensation injury claims arise from accidents at work that cause harm. Common injuries eligible for benefits include falls, being struck by equipment, motor vehicle crashes while working, or repetitive motion strains. Workers’ compensation covers medical treatment, income for missed work time, and compensation for any permanent impairments stemming from work injuries.

Occupational illness claims result from workplace conditions that cause diseases over time. Some examples of illness claims are lung disease from exposure to toxic chemicals or carpal tunnel syndrome from performing repetitive manual tasks. Workers’ compensation provides medical care to treat the illness and replaces lost wages while the employee is unable to work due to their condition.

Death claims support families who lose a wage-earning spouse or parent due to a workplace accident or illness. Benefits can include burial expenses, loss of future income until retirement age, and educational support for dependent children. You may be potentially entitled to lifetime monthly payments for an eligible surviving spouse.

When to Hire a Lawyer

If your claim gets denied, hiring a workers’ comp attorney can help you appeal and fight for benefits. Navigating the appeals process on your own is difficult because a lawyer does this every day, and you may not know any of the legal terms or methods. An attorney can help you determine any potential grounds for reversal and will handle paperwork.

For complex injuries requiring extensive treatment, speak to a lawyer early in the process. They ensure you follow procedures properly to avoid denial down the road. An attorney also negotiates a settlement once you reach maximum medical improvement.

In fatality cases involving family benefits, you should contact a lawyer right away so the claim can get started and you can move on. Death claims have intricate rules and paperwork that can be time-consuming and complex. An attorney optimizes benefits available to surviving dependents and handles communications with the insurer.

Get the Benefits You Deserve After a Work Injury

If you were injured on the job and denied the workers’ comp you are owed, do not give up. Our dedicated lawyers can help you appeal and fight for maximum benefits under a contingency fee structure. This means we only get paid if we win your case.

Let our experienced team handle claims processes and prove your case warrants compensation. We know how to build strong appeals so you get the medical, wage, and disability benefits you deserve. Contact us for a free consultation — you have nothing to lose by having us review your case.