How You Pay for An Injury Attorney
Hiring a Personal Injury or Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
When you are hurt at work, in an auto accident or at a place of business, you become a part of a legal conflict, whether you like it or not. You need to get compensation for your missed time from work, medical bills, pain and suffering and more. The money that is paid to injury victims comes from an insurance company. However, the insurance company responsible will not make it easy for you to get the money you deserve. It’s standard practice from the insurance companies after an injury to try to devalue, delay and even deny valid claims to protect their profits. A lawyer on your side sends them a message that you will not take less than you are entitled to.
Pay nothing now - How Contingency Works
When you hire Rick Ely to handle your workers’ compensation or personal injury claim, you do not have to pay anything out of pocket. He handles your claim and works with the insurance company or companies involved to secure the best possible outcome on your behalf. Once the claim is settled, he is paid a percentage of the recovery he obtained for you. If he is unable to recover money from the insurance company, you will not owe any legal fees.
Settling a Claim without a Lawyer
Many injury victims attempt to settle their claim on their own to avoid paying any legal fees. This can potentially lead to a very bad outcome. There are a few key reasons why it’s important to have a lawyer on your side:
- Injuries don’t come with price tags
A big piece of what an injury lawyer does on your behalf is put a dollar amount to an injury. That is not a simple thing to do. Calculating time missed from work and medical invoices you’ve already received is fairly straightforward, but it’s not all that simple. More serious injuries will require on-going medical treatment, or could result in a lowered ability to earn income. These “future” costs require complex math and savvy negotiation. - The insurance company will have lawyers on their side
If this was a simple process, why would the insurance companies pay thousands of dollars to attorneys on their side? It’s because those lawyers are paid to reduce the amount and value of claims that are paid out. This is how insurance companies protect their profits. - There are types of compensation that you may not be aware of
If you were hurt at work, you may be eligible for educational or re-training costs. If you were hurt while driving a car for work, there may be a work comp claim as well as a tort claim for your injuries. In cases where the injury is causing on-going pain, you may be eligible for physical therapy, massage or chiropractic treatments. Accepting a lump sum that is simply your missed paychecks and medical bills can leave a lot of money on the table. - You are not a lawyer, this is not simple
What if you needed surgery? Would you do that on your own, or rely on the most experienced and sure-handed professional you could find? You may have heard the saying from Abraham Lincoln that “If you are your own lawyer you have a fool for a client”. Clever quotes aside, when you settle your claim, the insurance company is no longer responsible for it. That means that if you find out the injury is worse, or will require more treatment, you can be left to pay that on your own.
Start with a Free Consultation
Hiring a lawyer is an important decision. You should not feel rushed or pressured at any point. Some injury lawyers talk a big game when they are getting you signed up, but then hand your case off to paralegals or less experienced attorneys. When you hire Rick, he will personally handle your case from beginning to end. He is available to answer questions and update you on what’s happening at any time. You can get started right away with a free consultation. This is an easy and informal meeting where you will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances around your injury. Rick will explain how Louisiana injury law applies to your situation, and your options for pursuing the maximum compensation that the law allows.
