How Do I Choose the Right Lawyer?
Hiring the “right” attorney is the most important step in your case. It can mean the difference between winning and losing from day one.
Do not hire the first attorney you find! Researching several lawyers before you commit to hiring one is extremely important. Once you sign an agreement to hire an attorney, other lawyers may not be willing to discuss your case, even if you have legitimate issues with the attorney you hired.
5 Steps to Hiring the Right Lawyer for You
Step One: Understand the type of lawyer you need. Workers’ Compensation is NOT the same as Labor and Employment. That field of law handles Union issues, wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment cases, etc. Our workers’ compensation lawyers know the territory and are your best option for work injury cases. Personal injury is also NOT the same. Injuries caused by a car accident, slip and fall, or medical malpractice are separate from your job and in an entirely different court system.
Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation laws are so complex that it is one of the very few areas of law that requires attorneys to become Certified Specialists. To achieve certification, they must pass written tests, have sufficient years of experience, and dedicate a significant portion of their practice to this specific area of law. The insurance company will have a team of trained claims representatives, case managers, and a certified specialist attorney representing them.
You need an attorney with the same or more skill and experience to ensure your rights are protected. Don’t hire a lawyer who “dabbles” in workers’ compensation. Find a Certified Specialist.
Step Two: Identify several attorneys to start your research. Ask family, friends, and coworkers if they know any work injury case attorneys. Search the internet for Certified Specialist Work Injury Lawyers. Contact your county Bar Association and ask for an attorney specializing in workers’ compensation claims.
Step Three: Research these lawyers. Look for client reviews of their services. Websites such as AVVO, FindLaw, and Lawyers.com provide a neutral rating of registered lawyers. Check the Pennsylvania Bar Association for any ethical or disciplinary action against them. Review their own website to see if they dedicate their experience and practice to personal injury cases.
Step Four: Speak with the lawyer directly. Do not rely on a receptionist or “intake“ person. Speak with the actual lawyer who will be handling your case. Make sure they handle EVERY element of your case, from filing the petition to status hearings, depositions, and “live” court hearings. Do not hire a law firm where different attorneys handle each different stage.
In these law firms, no one person knows you and your priorities. They only know a limited part of your case and issues. Ask if the lawyer handles appeals or passes the file to someone else. Try to discover if the lawyer fights a case to its conclusion or prefers quick settlements. Most lawyers will give you the “right answers”. This is why the last step is important.
Step Five: Trust your instincts. When speaking with the lawyer, remember that you are interviewing them just as much as they are interviewing you. You are not required to hire them simply because you are on the telephone with them. If the lawyer is evasive in answering your questions, seems to lack knowledge of the law or your issue – or it just doesn’t feel ‘right’ - trust your instincts! Hiring the right lawyer is the most important step in your entire case.
Our Team Has Over 30 Years of Experience
At Schmidt, Kirifides, Rassias & Rio, our work injury attorneys have over 30 years of experience. We are dedicated to the practice of Worker’s Compensation and the rights of injured workers. Every worker’s compensation lawyer is a Certified Specialist. Every attorney on our team will manage your case from beginning to end, offering personal attention to your concerns and priorities. Contact us at our Media, PA, office today!