If you are injured on the job, it can be tricky to decide if you will need legal advice or if you can handle the situation on your own. The basic rule of thumb is if things are simple and moving forward, you probably don’t need an attorney, but if there are complications and roadblocks to your case, it’s a good idea to seek out a workplace injury lawyer portland or.
Situations You Can Handle Yourself
If your injuries are not serious and your employer is not contesting the incident, you probably don’t need to hire an attorney. Minor accidents that don’t require medical attention and don’t cause you to miss much work are simple enough for a worker to handle. Where it can get complicated is if you have an old injury to the same area such as a sports-related knee injury. If you are unsure about handling your own case, it is a good idea to contact a workplace injury lawyer.
Problems That Require an Attorney
If your situation is not simple and straight forward, it is a good move to get the advice of a workplace injury lawyer. This could include any of the following complications: your injuries are serious and require you to miss more than a few days of work, medical bills are piling up and your employer is denying your claim or refusing to pay, you have a pre-existing injury to the affected area, the accident was caused by unsafe working conditions or misconduct by one of your coworkers. Even if you simply have questions, many attorneys provide a free consultation, so it is worth giving someone a call.
Next Steps
An attorney with workman’s comp experience can help you gather evidence, complete paperwork and file forms on time. If you and your employer can’t come to an agreement, your lawyer will represent you at a trial and argue your case. Keep in mind that insurance companies have teams of legal professionals in their corner.
if you are injured on the job, find out what you are owed for pain and lost wages.
