Be Smart When You are Injured on the Job
When people decide to represent themselves in legal proceedings, judges often discourage them by warning, “He who represents himself, has a fool for a client.” Does this axiom hold true for workers’ compensation which is actually an administrative law process? The answer is a resounding yes! Does that mean, however, that all injured workers need legal representation? No! Does that sound confusing? Let me explain.
I often meet with firefighters whose work injuries don’t require an attorney because all benefits such as treatment or temporary disability compensation have been provided and the employee has almost fully recovered from the injury with little or no permanent disability. In those cases, I can usually advise the firefighter how to “conclude” their claim without any litigation or the use of an attorney. But what about the claims that aren’t so clear cut? The ones where your employer wants you to be examined by a “QME” before they decide on accepting liability or paying any permanent disability compensation, or where they deny some of the treatment recommendations of your treating doctor, including surgery.
Shouldn’t an alarm go off in your head telling you to consult with a knowledgeable attorney so the decisions you make on your claim are correct? Read more…
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