If you’ve been injured at work, whether you’ve sustained cuts, broken bones, skin burns, or emotional distress, you might be able to claim compensation. However, you may only have a valid compensation claim if you believe another person or group of people is responsible for your injuries.
For example, if you have fallen off a tall platform during a construction project because your employer failed to provide a proper safety harness, they could be liable for your injuries. Another example is if your employer has refused to invest in ergonomic equipment to protect your joints, and you have sustained a repetitive strain injury.
These two examples are just a couple of hundreds of different scenarios where you could potentially claim a compensation payout from your employer. Similarly, you could file a personal injury claim against another employee if you believe they are responsible for the injuries you’ve sustained in the workplace.
A Simple Step-by-Step Guide to Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
If all of this sounds a little complicated and overwhelming, you’re not alone. Many people have no idea how to claim compensation following workplace injuries.
Thankfully, you can contact one of the Lamber Goodnow Injury Lawyers for expert advice. They can guide you through the process of filing a legal claim against another person or group of people if you’ve been injured at work.
Below, we’ve covered the step-by-step process of hiring a personal injury lawyer so you know what to expect when you contact a Lamber Goodnow Personal Injury Lawyer.
Finding the best lawyer and what factors to consider
The first step in hiring a personal injury lawyer is finding one. Although every personal injury lawyer will have had similar training and obtain a law degree at law school, they will each have their own expertise, knowledge, and personal experiences.
You’ll need to consider the unique skills and expertise of a personal injury lawyer before choosing to hire them to ensure you find the best person for the job. Some key factors to consider when choosing a lawyer to hire for your personal injury compensation claim include:
- Their reputation and previous client testimonials
- Their unique skill set and personal characteristics
- Their fees (upfront and contingency)
- Their knowledge and expertise in workplace personal injuries
An initial consultation
Most personal injury lawyers offer an initial consultation to their clients when hired. During this initial consultation, you will meet with your lawyer and talk through your issue so you can determine whether or not they are a suitable fit for your unique case.
Note that some lawyers may charge a fixed fee for this consultation, while others might offer this for free. Be sure to confirm the cost of an initial consultation before you agree to attend to avoid receiving unexpected fees.
During the initial consultation, your personal injury lawyer will ask for details about the workplace incident that caused your injuries and who you think is responsible. They will also explain their unique process of helping clients with compensation claims and their fees and pricing structure. Some personal injury lawyers charge a fixed fee per case, while others charge per hour.
Most lawyers take a fee for your final court case settlement, too. If you successfully gain compensation for your injuries, expect your lawyer to take anywhere from 10 to 40% of the final payment. Again, clarify this during the initial consultation so you know what to expect if you hire this particular lawyer and win your case.
Communication preferences
During your initial consultation with your chosen personal injury lawyer or beforehand, you can clarify your communication preferences. The lawyer may have a preferred method of communication, such as email or telephone, as might you.
It’s important to clarify your preferences and decide how you’re both going to communicate with one another during your time together. Your attorney will keep you informed about the progress of your case, and you can provide further details or evidence to them through your chosen communication method.
Signing a contract
When you’re happy with everything your lawyer has been through, including their fees, expenses, expertise, and preferred method of communication, they will draft a contract for you to sign. This contract will include all of the terms and conditions that both you and your chosen lawyer need to abide by during the course of your case.
Read the contract thoroughly and make sure you are happy with every aspect of it before signing it. If there is any part of the contract that you don’t agree with or are unsure of, bring this up with your lawyer. They may adjust the contract slightly or explain why a particular condition is included in the contract they have provided.
If you can’t come to a full agreement with your chosen lawyer, it’s best to choose another expert to hire. You should always be 100% happy with the specified terms and conditions in your legal contract before committing to it, especially when it relates to personal injuries and compensation claims.
Providing evidence and documentation to support your case
Shortly after signing your contract and beginning the process of creating your compensation claim, your lawyer will start gathering evidence to support your case. They may ask you to provide all of the evidence you have amassed so far, including personal documentation, photographs of your injuries, or statements you’ve gathered from any witness to the incident that caused your injuries.
Your personal injury lawyer will conduct their own research to gather additional evidence that you might not have access to, such as surveillance camera footage or police reports. Together with the evidence you provide, they will create a strong case in your favor to increase your chance of successfully winning compensation for your injuries.
Your lawyer will present all the evidence and documentation collected for your personal injury case in court if necessary. This is often necessary if you can’t reach an agreement with the other parties involved in the incident or the person (or people) responsible refuses to admit liability.