The following are basic suggestions on checking out workers comp lawyers.
The Firm's Area Of Expertise: Some law firms internet sites make it seem the firm is a specialist in cases of your type, but their experience is in other areas. A mistake in pertinent law could be harmful to your case. Workers' compensation law is a specialty. You don't choose a general practitioner for your compensation claim. See if the lawyer lists himself as a specialist in the Yellow Pages.
A Law Firm Or Just A Referral Service? Referral firms have internet sites that make them seem to be the complete package. They take your case and then sell it to the real law firm who will pay them a fee. Once you've settled upon a few law firms, you can type their business name in a search engine with the words 'problem' or 'scam', and see what comes up. It may be revealing!
Check with the local bar association to find out if anyone has filed any complaints against the lawyer you're interested in.
Complete Disclosure. Be completely honest when reviewing your case with a lawyer. He can only succeed with your case if he knows all the relevant details; if you hold something back it may trip you (and him) up later. Tell him as much as you're aware of. Try to recall every relevant detail. Any related photographs and literature you can present will be very useful to him in sizing up your case.
Examine the lawyer's web site. Do they advertise themselves as a specialist in workers' compensation law. Do they have useful information about workers' compensation law on-site? When you meet face-to-face you can ask them for any literature they may have prepared about workers' compensation.
It's always worthwhile to ask friends, relatives and your doctor for recommendations. This is a specialist area of law but they may turn up a name.
Ask If The Attorney Intends To Really Handle Your Case Himself. Many law firms simply pass such cases to the 'real' specialist and get part of the fee in return. This might not be in your best interest.
I hope these few beginner suggestions will assist you in finding a good lawyer.
