Straight answers
If yours isn't here, call or write.
Do I need a lawyer for a workers' compensation claim?
No law says you must. But the insurer has one, and a claim can turn on one form or one deadline. A free call costs you nothing and tells you where you stand.
What does it cost to hire you?
A judge or the board sets the fee and it comes out of your award, so nothing is due up front. Case costs such as medical reports and records can be separate; I explain them in writing first.
Will my employer know I called a lawyer?
Not from me. I don't contact your employer unless we've agreed on it.
What if I'm undocumented?
Many places cover injured workers regardless of status. Call and ask; I'll tell you what applies to you.
Do I have to go to the insurer's doctor?
Sometimes you do, once. That doctor works for the insurer, and your own doctor's opinion counts too.
How long will my claim take?
It depends on whether it's contested. A simple claim can be quick. A hearing can take many months. I'll tell you where yours is headed.
Can I get hurt twice and still have a claim?
Often, yes. A second injury, or a flare-up of the first, can be part of the same claim. Bring both dates.
What if I was partly at fault?
Workers' compensation doesn't ask whose fault it was. Fault matters only if there's a separate claim against someone else.
Still unsure? Ask me.
A short message is plenty. I'll write back with what I'd do first.