- October 26, 2023
- Workers' Compensation
Navigating the intricacies of a workers comp claim can be challenging for injured workers, often necessitating the expertise of a workers comp lawyer. In Atlanta, workers compensation cases typically involve lawyer fees that operate on a contingency basis, meaning attorney fees are only paid if the case is won. Legal expenses can include a percentage of the awarded compensation, alongside other expenses like expert witness fees. Most lawyers cap their fees at 25%, but complexities in the case can increase costs. Understanding how legal counsel works and the associated attorney fee structure is crucial for managing a workers comp claim effectively.
After a workplace accident, you need to get in touch with an Atlanta workers comp lawyer to help you secure the benefits you deserve. But how exactly will you pay an attorney? The good news is that you don’t have to pay a single dollar out of pocket. Most workers compensation lawyers work on a contingency fee basis.
This means that they only get paid at the end of the claims process and only if they win your benefits or settle your claim. This system ensures that every injured worker can afford legal representation. Contact our law firm today for a free consultation.
How Does the Contingency Fee System Work?
In the workers comp system, a workers comp lawyer in Georgia typically operates on a contingency fee basis. This means the comp lawyer only receives payment if the case is won or settled. The lawyer fees are a percentage of the compensation awarded, capped by Georgia law at a maximum amount of 25%. Legal costs and fees are deducted from the settlement, covering lost wages and other benefits. This system ensures that injured workers can afford legal representation without upfront costs, making it accessible to pursue a workers comp claim.
Working for a contingency fee is a win-win situation for all the parties involved. Employees can afford to hire an experienced lawyer. And the attorney has a vested interest in obtaining the best result for their client.
Once the insurance company agrees to pay for your medical care costs and replacement wages or offers an adequate lump sum as settlement, the lawyer retains a percentage of the total amount.
The good news is that Georgia workers comp laws limit this percentage to 25. By comparison, a personal injury lawyer may retain anything between 33 and 45 percent as a fee.
You May Also Incur Other Legal Fees
The workers compensation claim process is complex and involves obtaining evidence and filing documents. Thus, your lawyer will incur various expenses, which will be added to the total legal costs.
Here are some examples:
- Hiring expert witnesses to prove the extent of your injuries or a permanent disability
- Fees for filing appeals
- Court reporter fees for transcribing documents
- Hiring investigators
- Making photocopies.
Will You Have to Pay Legal Fees Upfront?
Reputable law firms will not ask you to pay anything upfront, even the extra costs detailed above. If we take your case, we know that we will win. Thus, we will recover these costs together with the legal fees at the end of the claim process.
Also, any experienced Atlanta workers comp lawyer will prepare a clear breakdown of the fees and expenses incurred. We will justify to you every dollar we retain from your settlement or benefits.
What If You Lose the Workers Comp Claim?
If we can’t win your workers comp benefits or settlement, you won’t have to pay the representation fees out of pocket. Depending on the specific circumstances of the case, we may also forgive the legal costs incurred in the process.
This is something that we decide on a case-by-case basis. Thus, you should take advantage of the free case review to ask all the questions that help you understand how a workers comp attorney works and what you may expect next.
If you lose a workers comp claim, you won’t receive compensation for your work-related injury, and you’re generally not responsible for workers comp lawyer costs, as they operate on a contingency fee basis. However, any legal costs incurred, such as court fees or expert witness expenses, might still need to be covered. Potential next steps include seeking legal help for a personal injury case, as some injuries might qualify under different legal criteria. Many lawyers offer a free initial consultation, and you could hire one at an hourly rate to explore further options or appeal the decision with the workers compensation insurance board.
Get in Touch With a Skilled Atlanta Workers Comp Lawyer!
If you’ve been injured in a work-related accident, hiring a skilled Atlanta workers compensation lawyer is crucial for navigating your claim. A seasoned workers comp attorney can effectively negotiate with the insurance company to get your workers compensation case approved. Whether it’s ensuring fair attorney fees or securing a rightful settlement offer, their expertise is invaluable. They also handle personal injury claims, including auto accidents. Don’t leave your case to chance—hire a workers compensation lawyer to maximize your benefits and secure the compensation you deserve.
You deserve the best legal representation in your workplace accident case and you can afford it. Since we work on a contingency fee basis, you don’t have to think twice about getting reliable legal advice concerning your rights.
An experienced Atlanta workers compensation lawyer will explain in detail how we charge fees and how much you are expected to get in benefits. Call us now at 470-518-5026 to schedule a free case review!
