Do You Need a Seattle Workers’ Compensation Attorney?

A workplace injury or occupational disease could result in medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs. Workers’ compensation benefits are designed to cover those costs. If you’ve been injured in the workplace, you might be wondering whether you should hire a Seattle workers’ compensation attorney to represent you. A workers’ compensation lawyer can help you file a claim and get the compensation you’re entitled to. The types of injuries and illnesses that workers’ comp benefits typically cover include the following:

• Traumatic physical injuries
• Injuries due to repetitive physical motions
• Occupational diseases
• Death on the job

Unfortunately, many workers’ compensation claims are denied, and then employees have to file an appeal to get the benefits they deserve. To increase the chances of receiving the benefits you deserve, hire an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. An attorney can help you gather medical evidence, communicate with Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) or the self-insured employer on your behalf, negotiate a fair settlement, represent you at your hearing, and more.

When to Contact an Attorney

Contact a workers’ compensation attorney in Seattle as soon as possible if any of the following circumstances apply to your situation:

• Your workplace injuries are so severe that you can’t return to your prior job or you cannot perform any work at all
• Your workplace injuries are so severe that you require surgery
• Your workplace injuries are severe enough that they will change your life forever
• You have pre-existing disabilities in addition to your workplace injury
• You would like to dispute an adverse decision made regarding your workers’ compensation claim

Regardless of the circumstances of your claim, you are entitled to hire a workers’ compensation attorney. It’s critical that you retain the services of an attorney if you don’t fully understand or feel comfortable with the workers’ compensation claims process because an attorney can represent your interests and advocate on your behalf to ensure that you receive the medical care and compensation you deserve. If your injury prevents you from going back to work for more than one year, a lawyer can also help you apply for Social Security disability benefits.

What an Attorney Will Do For You

A workers’ compensation attorney will make sure that you fill out all of the necessary forms and file them on time. An attorney can also help you collect and develop medical evidence proving the severity of your injury or illness. Bear in mind that insufficient medical evidence is one of the most common reasons why workers’ compensation claims and benefits are denied. An attorney can help you gather medical records, arrange or recommend treatment with certain medical providers, obtain medical opinions, and more.

After evaluating the specifics of your case, an attorney can determine what type of evidence is needed to maximize your chances of winning your claim. In addition to medical evidence, other types of evidence that could support your case include vocational expert testimony about your job’s physical requirements and statements from friends and family regarding your daily activities. 

An attorney can determine the benefits to which you are legally entitled and negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf. Experienced attorneys are familiar with the negotiation process and understand the tactics used.

If you’re unable to reach a settlement, your case will proceed to an administrative hearing or trial. An attorney can perform legal research and gather medical records in preparation for your hearing or trial as well as represent you in court.

Request a Free Consultation with a Seattle Workers’ Compensation Attorney

It is advisable to speak with an attorney sooner rather than later to ensure that your claim gets off on the right foot. A workers’ compensation lawyer can provide you with a free consultation to evaluate your case and discuss the options available to you. Call Foster Law, P.C. today at 206-682-3436 to schedule a free consultation with our knowledgeable, compassionate, and experienced Seattle workers’ compensation lawyers.