If you or someone you know has been injured at work, you may have heard that some workers’ comp lawyers offer free consultations. Because a consultation is “free”, you might also wonder how you can benefit from scheduling one and if there are any strings attached. The truth is that you could greatly benefit from just one free consultation.
Why Do Workers’ Comp Lawyers Offer Free Consultations?
In Minnesota, workers’ compensation lawyers do not charge hourly fees for their services. Instead, they work on a contingency fee basis. If they win benefits for a client, then they get paid a percentage of the award to compensate for the time and effort they spent on the case.
A free consultation helps the lawyer and potential client figure out if they want to work together. It also gives the lawyer an opportunity to evaluate the strength of a potential client’s case before agreeing to work on contingency.
What Happens During a Free Consultation?
Most workers’ comp lawyers go over the facts of a potential client’s case during a consultation. They ask questions about what has happened so far in the case, how the injury occurred, and the worker’s medical care. The potential client has the opportunity to ask questions too. Most importantly, the lawyer and potential client will review and discuss:
- If the potential client has a work injury and a claim for workers’ comp benefits
- If and how the lawyer can help the potential client get benefits
- The process for requesting or disputing benefits, and the lawyer’s strategy for doing so
- If the potential client has any other legal claims, such as for personal injury
How Can You Prepare for a Free Consultation?
If you schedule a free consultation with a workers’ compensation lawyer, come prepared. You should assemble all documents that you have related to your work injury and claim for benefits. For example, you might have medical records, forms from the insurance company, letters from your employer or the insurer, and more. Also, you should expect to discuss what happened when you were injured and the timeline of what occurred after the injury. With some preparation, you can make the most of a free consultation.
Want to schedule a consultation with a lawyer about workers’ compensation for your injury? Joe Osterbauer, Esq. and the Osterbauer Law Firm stand up for injured Minnesota workers’ rights. Joe’s 27 years of workers’ compensation experience and his team’s speedy service combine to get clients the results they need. To schedule a free consultation, visit Osterbauer Law Firm online or call Joe’s office at (612) 334-3434.
