Workers compensation is a large umbrella term that covers a lot of details. In general, workers comp is an insurance plan designed to protect employees. The insurance is held by the employer and prevents an employee from suing them. This is an advantage because it encourages more employers to have the insurance. Not all states require businesses to have workers comp for their employees, and some only require it if a company has a certain number of employees. If you need to file a workers comp claim, here are the top questions to ask a lawyer about it.

For the Lawyer

Before you actually settle on a lawyer, you should make sure they fit your standards for legal aid. You’ll want to make sure they have an excellent workers compensation case history and knowledge of state laws. Consider asking them about how many work claims they’ve dealt with, their success rate, how often they’ve gone to trial and if you’ll work with them one-on-one frequently. To find lawyers to consider, try searching online for some near you (e.g., Iowa workers compensation attorney).

About Your Claim

Get down to the basics before you dive into anything else. Start by explaining your situation and seeing if you even have a case to start with. See how much time you have to file a claim in your state and if you need to see a doctor to provide evidence of your injury.

About the Procedure

Like all legal situations, workers compensation claims involve a specific number of steps you need to take to successfully receive damages. You can ask your lawyer how long your claim will take, if it may go to trial, what a trial involves and how to properly settle a claim so that you benefit the most.

Go into a meeting with your lawyer prepared with questions. Understanding the full scope of the situation can help ease your stress and determine if you’re in capable hands.