Unlike some other legal proceedings, there is no strict requirement that you seek help from a legal professional during your workers’ compensation claim process. If your work-related injury is minor and there are no pre-existing conditions, long-term disabilities, or disagreement from your employer or insurance provider about the source and severity of your injury, you could process your claim yourself.
However, as many people unfortunately learn the hard way, most workers’ comp claims are complex, and trying to get through them without support from a skilled attorney often leads to an unsatisfactory result. Consequently, in the following situations, the answer to the question of when to hire a Santa Ana workers’ compensation lawyer is likely to be “as soon as possible.”
While filling out a workers’ compensation claim form after a workplace accident is not the most complex part of the claim, even one error on this form could lead to substantial—and completely avoidable—delays in benefits. In Santa Ana, hiring support from legal counsel even at this early stage may significantly streamline the workers’ compensation claim process as a whole, and it could also help smooth out other procedural issues that might otherwise turn into bigger problems later in the process.
The most common point at which workers’ comp claimants in Santa Ana start thinking about hiring an attorney is after having their claim denied by their employer or insurance provider, or after either of these parties disputes the type and amount of restitution the claimant is eligible for. A qualified legal professional could help determine the specific reason for a denial and, in some cases, resolve the problem without needing to go through a formal appeal.
If an appeal becomes necessary during a workers’ compensation claim, engaging a Santa Ana legal representative may be essential to receive a favorable result from the process. There are strictly enforced rules for when and how a claimant can request the reconsideration of their claim, and misinterpreting or violating any of these could lead to the appeal being unsuccessful.
Finally, even if a claimant can handle the initial part of the claim, they should strongly consider hiring a Santa Ana workers’ comp lawyer before accepting a settlement offer at the conclusion of the process. Once a settlement agreement is reached, the claimant cannot request more money if an injury unexpectedly gets worse. Therefore, consulting with skilled legal counsel at this stage of the proceedings may be key to protecting their long-term best interests.
To maximize the benefits you receive from your workers’ compensation claim while also minimizing the stress of the application process, make contacting and retaining legal counsel one of your top priorities when you experience a work-related injury or illness.
If you have further questions about when to hire a Santa Ana workers’ compensation lawyer or what benefits it might have for you, you can get the answers and information you need during a private initial meeting. Call today to schedule yours.
