If you’ve recently suffered a work-related injury or illness, you may wonder whether you should hire a workers’ compensation attorney. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, as everything depends on the severity of your injury, your case's complexity, and your employer's actions. This article will explain how to decide if you need a workers’ comp attorney.

Can you represent yourself in a workers’ comp case?

There are certain situations where you can get by without a workers comp attorney. These include:

• Your employer admitted the injury happened at work.
• Your injury only caused you to miss little to no work because of your injury.
• You suffered a minor injury and only required minor medical treatment.
• You don’t have a pre-existing condition that affects the same part of your body as the workplace injury.

While these situations are generally uncomplicated, it’s still worthwhile to contact a workers’ compensation attorney to discuss your case. They can walk you through the process and give their honest opinion on whether you should seek representation or handle the matter independently.

When should you consider hiring a workers comp attorney?

If your workers’ comp case is complex, you should hire an attorney. Here are some situations where an attorney can help you with your case:

• Your employer’s settlement does not cover lost wages or medical bills. If you’ve suffered a severe injury, you’ve likely wracked up a lot in medical bills and other expenses, especially if you are not able to work. Don’t rely on your employer to ensure they will give you a fair deal. Hiring a workers’ comp attorney will ensure you get the best settlement possible.
• Your employer denies your claim or foregoes paying your benefits. Employers and workers’ comp insurers regularly reject claims because they are confident that most employees won’t appeal the decision. If you plan to appeal a decision, hiring an attorney gives you the best chance to receive a fair settlement or award for your injuries.
• Your injuries prevent you from returning to work or limit the scope of what you can do. If you’ve suffered a partial or total permanent disability, you may qualify for weekly payments to compensate for lost wages. However, these types of cases can be costly for insurance companies, and they will do anything possible to avoid paying you what you deserve. An experienced workers’ comp attorney can help you navigate these waters and ensure you get the settlement you deserve.
• Your boss retaliates against you for filing a workers’ compensation claim. Some employers fire employees, demote them, or reduce their pay following a workers’ compensation claim. This is a severe form of harassment and discrimination. Talking with a workers’ comp attorney can protect your legal rights.

What can a workers’ comp attorney do for you?

A good workers’ comp attorney can make sure you file all necessary forms and deadlines for your case. They will also be able to gather the evidence needed to support your claims, negotiate effectively with your employer and their insurance company, and write a settlement agreement to avoid any unplanned consequences.

Contact a workers comp attorney in Southern California

Don’t wait; schedule a consultation with Mishra X Trial Lawyers. We’ll work hard to fight your case as your Workers’ Compensation lawyer in Southern California so you get the compensation you need. Give us a call today at 949-343-9735 or send us a message. You can reach out using our contact form. We look forward to representing you.