If you get injured on the job, you may be entitled to financial compensation through the workers’ comp program. This is designed to cover your medical bills and replace a portion of your wages. With a few exceptions, employers in Minnesota are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance.
As the process begins, you may have many questions. Does your employer or the insurance company get to choose which lawyer or law firm you use to help you with your claim? That wouldn’t feel right – using their lawyer to try to get benefits from them. Here’s what’s really the case:
You can hire any lawyer that you want
If you were injured on the job, you can choose any attorney you want. They don’t even have to live near you, since many aspects of work comp claims are handled online or over the phone. The lawyer you choose is up to you. Your employer does not have any say in the matter, and your employer does not pay them. Instead, your lawyer is paid only if they win your case and then only a small portion of the total amount you received. The amount that they get is set by law, and it is not determined by how long, short, easy or complex your workers’ comp case becomes.
This means that your lawyer will only be concerned with your benefits, and they will focus on your workers’ comp claim. They will not have a conflict of interest and will work exclusively for you. They also don’t have to be locally-based. For example, you can hire a Twin Cities attorney if you live in Virginia, in northern Minnesota. This gives you more flexibility to find the right person for your claim.
What should you look for in the lawyer?
Finding the right lawyer for your case is important and is not complicated. Here are some things to consider:
- Seek out a lawyer who focuses on workers’ compensation claims. They will know all the ins and outs of the work comp process.
- Choose someone who is easy to reach, allowing you to get updates on your claim as you go through the process.
- Find someone with experience, who has seen the complexities before and who understands how to work tirelessly on your behalf.
The compensation that you get is critical, especially if you are the main breadwinner for your family, and this job is your main source of income. Always be sure that you know exactly what legal steps to take next.