What if I Can’t Afford to Hire a Workers Comp Lawyer?
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The Workers Compensation Act limits lawyers’ fees. The attorney fee is generally contingent, meaning the client must win their case before any fee is due. A judge must approve the fee. The fee agreement and required approval determine the fee; not every matter is paid through the same percentage arrangement. The fee is generally 20% of the amount of the benefits awarded. This can be from weekly wage loss benefits, a settlement, or even a percentage of medical bills that must be paid.
Determining Who Pays and When
A Workers’ Compensation Judge may award a prevailing claimant’s reasonable attorney fees against the employer or insurer under Section 440. A reasonable contest permits the judge to exclude those fees but does not require exclusion. A medical-only dispute does not automatically mean that the defendant must pay every fee. Ask how your fee agreement and any requested fee award apply to your case.
Before you hire a lawyer, ask how often they try to get the fee paid by the defendant and if they know the requirements!
You Can’t Afford NOT to Hire an Experienced Workers’ Comp Lawyer
One last factor you need to consider is whether you can afford to have a lawyer or not. Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation laws are so complex that lawyers become Certified Specialists. Passing written tests, having sufficient years of experience, and dedicating a significant portion of their practice to this field of law are required.
The insurance company will certainly have a team of trained specialists prepared to challenge your rights, including a claims representative, a case manager, and a certified specialist lawyer. Can you afford to lose your benefits by not having an attorney? Contact us at our Media, PA, office today!