Insurance companies and employers frequently respond to workers’ comp claims with low settlement offers, knowing that a skilled workers' comp lawyer will negotiate for greater benefits on your behalf. Working with an inexperienced attorney might cause them not to advise that it is in your best interests not to accept the first offer presented.
1. You Don’t Have to Accept the First Offer
Insurance agencies and employers typically respond to workers’ comp claim danger by offering a meager sum as settlement money, tempting claimants to accept it and move on, especially when medical bills continue piling up. But know that you can negotiate further damages through this process.
Skilled workers’ comp lawyers will ensure your injuries are properly documented by qualified healthcare professionals and will consider future medical expenses and lost wages when making their assessment of compensation claims. Insurers often attempt to discredit claims through surveillance and doctors downplaying injuries to reduce payouts; an experienced attorney will fight hard for maximum compensation on your behalf, even reopening lump-sum, full-and-final settlement agreements if they do not meet all your needs.
Reputable workers’ comp attorneys should provide clear fee discussions, answer your questions directly and offer regular updates about the status of your case. Be wary of lawyers who evade fee discussions, offer unclear agreements or attempt to conceal costs like medical report or expert witness fees.
2. You Don’t Have to Accept the Settlement Offer
Many insurance agencies and employers will respond to potential claim threats by offering an insufficient settlement sum as an attempt to deter claims, but you don’t have to accept their initial offer – an experienced workers’ comp lawyer may negotiate for higher payout based on factors like severity of injury, impact on working ability and future medical costs.
When selecting a workers’ comp attorney, prioritize their needs over pressure to settle too quickly. Also make sure the law firm you select specializes in workers’ comp cases and is licensed. When interviewing lawyers about how they approach cases or if they work on contingency fees basis so as to reduce further financial strain.
3. You Don’t Have to Accept the Settlement Offer
Many workers’ comp lawyers will advise that once an offer of settlement has been accepted, you cannot contest it further. Nonetheless, an aggressive law firm will fight on your behalf and for your future needs; insurers often use surveillance tactics to discredit claimants and reduce offer amounts; additionally, insurance doctors often downplay injuries to reduce compensation payouts.
A competent attorney will carefully analyze all your medical expenses, future lost wages, and long-term disability damages. They won’t accept an insurer’s first offer but instead try to secure you a much greater settlement through negotiation.
Large firms sometimes resort to giving new workers’ comp cases over to paralegals in order to reduce costs and their workload, which should raise red flags and lead you in search of experienced attorneys working on contingency fee basis. You don’t need additional financial stress when handling an ongoing situation – instead seek legal counsel who won’t make errors with paperwork, can demonstrate value through free case evaluation and can offer their expertise.
4. You Don’t Have to Accept the Settlement Offer
An experienced workers' comp attorney will help you obtain maximum compensation. They should consider future medical expenses, lost wages and any other damages beyond a quick settlement with an insurer. In addition, your chosen lawyer must possess experience handling cases similar to your own injury as well as be licensed and in good standing with their state bar association.
At certain workers' comp law firms, lawyers may prioritize making as much money as possible over providing legal services to their clients. As a result, new claims are often assigned to paralegals in order to process large volumes in one month.
It can be detrimental to both clients and cases when insurers or employers employ surveillance tactics to minimize payouts; skilled workers’ comp lawyers know how to identify such tactics and negotiate for greater damages.
