Your opinions about Workers' Compensation Lawyers

[queenbee]

I hired one but never heard from him or saw him.
I finally found out I was transferred to three differant partners.
He was from a tv ad - stupid me.
I have located another one but I am checking him out before I hire him.
Right now I am not impressed with them.
I feel the way the system is that lawyers sees the benefit of taking as many cases as they can get, Hold on to them for as long as they can without doing anything and collect the money.
Granted it is not alot but multipy it by say 1000 uninformed clients.
The lawyers know we will eventually move on to another attorney because what else can we do. But they will collect until then
Now don't get me wrong I have read stories about good attorneys- I just haven't seen any yet.

[CRABBY]

Wink my attorney is work compensation, I hired because they denied my claim from the beginning and wanted to protect my rights....the first w.c. attorney was an idiot and probably working for my employer, but I satified completely with the one I have now....Why?

I'm just curious as what's up...

[tweety00]

Wink I have been in contact with same lawyer from the day that I found out that boss never sent in claim .. but at that time she told me she stays in the background untill you start to have problems .. well the problems started and so yes she is still there .. Going to probably offically hire her . talked to a few others but since their wasnt alot of lost time noone wanted the case .. did get the 0% rating from w/c but also was told to get a rating by my own doctor .. funny how they did tell me that . lol
Interesting how others have had same problems with w/c .. At least this site gives you some insite as to what to expect so that helps with the emotions that all injured go though .

[vickinat]

Wink:
I have a W/C lawyer and am very pleased with him. He was answering questions by phone or email before I hired him. W/C sent me to an IME Dr. who wrote a bogus report, going against my treating Dr's orders. This caused trouble for me at work. I was called by the adjuster and told that she was suspending my TPD because my loss of wages was for going to appointments for my injury, and that I was to have them after working hours, which was unavailable. Prior to this she filed for an Utilization Review of my Dr. and started not approving payment for my meds. The lawyer asked me if I wanted him to handle this situation and I hired him.

He immediatly started filing petitions, and has always been very quick to return a phone call or e-mail. I'm very happy not to have to deal directly with the I/C adjuster. We are waiting for a hearing now.

Take care
Vickie

[lfoster21]

I got my attorney once I realized that I was going to need back surgery. Up to that point, the company was paying for everything and I thought I could do it without a lawyer, but when i heard the words surgery, I realized that I probably needed a lawyer. I am so glad that I did, there were wo many things, that I did not know, about how they had been ripping me off and I was letting it happen. Once I got the lawyer, my amount being paid to me went up, I started getting reinbursed for miles, I got cost of living increases ea. year... most important, w/o a lawyer, I knew that the company had filed with the stater w. comp. I did not know that I too had to file with the state and if I had gone another 6 months with out filing, the company would not be held responsible for anything else. They were just paying all my med. bills and sending me my pay checks, hoping that I would not realize that I needed to file these forms. It was the first thing the lawyer did for me. Also, since I have failed back syndrome and now Cauda Equina Syndrome, my lawyer said that when new problems arise, the state needs to have papers filed for that, as well. These are just a few reasons that I am glad I chose to get a lawyer.

[Spring]

Yes, I have an attorney...and just as you and others adviced me he is a Work Comp Attorney.

Why: Didn't have an attorney for over two years. Never felt I needed one. Till WC changed my CA and ordered me to see the IME. Once my Dr's seen who I was to be seeing for the IME....they knew I was in trouble. Also several of you here adviced me that it was time for an attorney. My Dr's and all of you that guided me to get the attorney where so right. My life has been a living nightmare since the change of CA and the IME. My attorney at this point has covered everything that I thing he can...I do believe he has what is in my best interest covered. Stays in contact with me.

[Tuffy]

I retained my attorney ( WC attorney) when my place of employment denied my claim and did not file WC papers. Have had him from almost the beginning of my injury. Now in the process of settlement ( sinse june 07) and still waiting. DOI 4/5/05 Aggrivation of previous injury 11/20/03.

[muffy43]

I got a Workers Comp attny because my employer (a hospital!!!), gave me no information about the course of my claim. I returned to work briefly after my initial accident in 6/06, but then had to go out again in 12/06, for a second operation. I had a bad fractured arm, which did not heal. I was told nothing about how long WC benefits would last, how long the hospital would keep me benefitted, what MMI is, the job search, etc. Friends suggested I get an attny. My attny was well known in WC, but was appointed by the State as a WC Commissioner, so she transferred me to someone else. He is rather laid back for my taste, since I'm having problems with my employer as my former job is available, but it has become obvious they don't want me back. By the way, there is a special WC Certification for attnys who qualify.

[AQA]

Not yet wink, I may depending on what my Dr. has to say about the impairment rating. So far I have been able to handle any issues that have come up.

[monster]

I'm not sure if this will make sense but in CA since the change in WC laws, the money paid out for ratings is so low that I'm surprised any one is still practicing in WC law.

My friend just tried to find another atty for me as I don't have enough time or energy to really look...he won't take any cases that were filed after 2002. Mt atty. will only get 15% of a 25% total body rating which works out to peanuts for him. He has way more clients than he can handle, probably because he isn't making the money he used to and has to keep his wife in the manner of style she is used to!

Anyway, yes I do have an atty and got mine because I worked my butt off in wally world in the tire shop and knew from the start it was going to be a problem...yeppers, huge problems...no fix, just bandaids and they finally waited me out so long that I now have to go back to work regardless of what kind of shape I am in (I still refuse to file for social security...stubborn dang woman I am)...

My atty doesn't give a darn...he sits there with a glazed look on his face and just nods. I finally told him to just settle the case and I'm sure I'll regret it later