Have you been injured on the job and plan to take legal action against your employer? A worker’s compensation attorney should be your first point of contact in such a scenario. They can guide you towards the right action and act as a powerful ally to help you realize your claims. But once you appoint an attorney, please ask the questions below. Knowing about these can help you select the perfect attorney and prevent potential misunderstandings that might crop up as your case proceeds.

• You need to ask your lawyer first about their years of practice. Although this information is readily available on the lawyers’ website, you should still personally ask them how long they have been practicing. 

• Workers’ Compensation is a broad heading. You should clarify the primary practice areas of your chosen legal counsel so that they can represent you best. 

• You have selected an attorney after going through their website and reading about the partners’ accomplishments. Thus, you will expect those same partners to work on your case. Still, clearing things out in advance is advisable, especially if you aren’t comfortable with paralegal assistants and junior assistants taking over your case.

• Every case is different from the other. It’s best to ask your chosen attorney if they have worked on similar cases. Suppose you have suffered breathing distress because of exposure to hazardous chemicals, and your chosen lawyer is an expert at workers’ compensation claims arising out of broken bones. It’s time to reconsider your choice. 

• If you have a specific budget, discussing your attorney’s fees upfront is essential. This not only helps you avoid any financial surprises but also allows you to plan your budget effectively. Contrary to popular belief, most workers’ compensation lawyers work on a contingency basis, charging 10-20% of the award you claim from your employer. 

• Some standard litigation costs are related to copies of court transcriptions, doctor’s reports & physician’s notes. It would be best to ask your lawyer who will bear these litigation expenses. Usually, the attorney or their firm bears these upfront costs, which are later squared off from the claim on winning the case.

Conclusion

While appointing an Iowa workers compensation attorney, you might have a specific set of queries in mind that differ from those of your legal counsel. Solving these beforehand can help prevent conflicts in the days to come.