Most workers ‘compensation cases settle before the need for a trial before a workers’ compensation administrative judge if you have the right attorney. In most cases, all parties are interested in reaching an agreement before going to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. Generally, a work injury attorney with a well-respected reputation in the workers’ compensation field can get you the best settlement without the need for costly lawsuits and appeals.

An effective workers’ compensation attorney can help you navigate the maze of the system and lead to a timely resolution. Workers’ compensation lawsuits take much longer than negotiated settlements; it may take years for the court to make a final Award after exhausting appeals. Therefore, the court encourages settlement negotiations between the injured worker and the accused. There are several pitfalls to avoid when negotiating the closing of a work injury case by your workers’ compensation attorney.

Unless you are a work injury lawyer, insurance adjuster, or absolutely certain that you have knowledge in the field of workers’ compensation, representing yourself is a bad idea. Without the years of experience provided by your attorney, you will not be able to maximize your recovery. To maximize your recovery and ensure that you do not waive any of your legal rights, it is advisable to obtain a free consultation with a work injury attorney.

Choosing the wrong work injury attorney can be disastrous for your case. Most people hire a lawyer with the biggest billboard or the most impressive television commercial; however, it is highly unlikely that that attorney will be the one to represent you. It is best to hire a respected local work injury lawyer from a well established work injury law firm that specializes in work injuries.

When injured on the job, seek medical attention and report the incident. If it is not first aid, document your injury or it will be used against you later in your work injury case. When those who have suffered work injuries do not receive timely medical treatment, the defense workers’ compensation attorney or compensation claims adjuster will use this against you and argue that your work injury was minimal.

Contacting the insurance company is also a bad idea. They are not your friends. They are there to save money and pay you the bare minimum. The adjuster and defense attorney will have experience when the injured worker will tell the insurance adjuster things that are used against him. Victims of workplace injuries should allow their attorney to handle all communications and be present at all times to represent you when negotiating with the defense. Often times the insurance claims adjuster may seem friendly and concerned about your injuries on the job, remember that you are dealing with a trained professional whose sole purpose is to protect the employer and the insurance company.

Avoiding these mistakes has a simple solution. Hire an experienced, local, and reputable attorney to guide you through the process.