Do I Need a Lawyer for Workers Compensation?
Thousands of injured people come to us for help with their workers compensation claims every year. But many of them have already made claims without using a lawyer. They come to us when they’ve had benefits cut off or denied or want to know about additional lump sum entitlements they hadn’t been told about.
When you make a claim, the workers compensation insurer won’t automatically pay you everything you’re entitled to – so if you simply accept the insurer’s decision, you risk missing out.
The good news is there are many situations where you can get help from a workers compensation lawyer at no cost to you.
The top four reasons to get a workers compensation lawyer.
Here are the top four reasons you need a workers compensation lawyer:
- A lawyer can uncover additional lump sum payments you don’t know about
- A lawyer can make sure you’re not missing out on anything that you’re entitled to
- You’ll only pay your lawyer if you receive a lump sum payout
- With the right lawyer, you only stand to benefit – there’s no downside
In this article we explore each of these reasons, cover some frequently asked questions about why you need a lawyer for your workers compensation claim, and explain how you can get help from one of our specialist workers compensation lawyers.
1- A workers compensation lawyer can help you uncover benefits you don’t know about.
If you’ve never made a workers compensation claim before then you may not be aware of all of the benefits you’re entitled to. Beyond weekly benefits to cover your lost wages and medical expenses, you might be entitled to lump sums you haven’t been told about.
Our client Callum suffered an injury at work when a heavy weight fell on his leg and caused him crippling pain. He had made a workers compensation claim, but when his treatment was denied, his mental and physical health declined sharply. He stumbled across a Law Partners guide online and called us for advice about his situation. We disputed the insurer’s decision and helped Callum receive the treatment he needed. We also proved that the insurer’s offer had been unreasonable, and Callum ended up with an additional $350,000 settlement that he wouldn’t have received if he hadn’t spoken to our workers compensation lawyer.
2- A workers compensation lawyer can make sure you don’t miss out on anything you’re entitled to.
Even once you’re aware of all your entitlements, lodging a claim doesn’t mean that you’ll automatically receive everything that you’re eligible for. Many clients come to us because they’ve had treatment or benefits denied before they’ve recovered from their injuries.
Insurance companies have teams of medical and legal professionals dedicated to working on claims, and it can be difficult to negotiate with them by yourself. Having a workers compensation lawyer on your side means you’ve got an experienced professional working for you, who can get you a better result than you may be able to get on your own. This means you can focus entirely on recovering and let your lawyer negotiate with the insurer.
3- You only need to pay your Law Partners workers compensation lawyer if you receive a lump sum payout.
If we help you claim personal injury (weekly) benefits, then we’ll apply to the IRO (Independent Review Office) for funding to cover our fees, so there’s nothing for you to pay.
If we find you’re entitled to lump sum payments, we’ll work for you on a no win, no fee basis, so you’ll only need to pay us if you receive your lump sum payout.
4- You only stand to benefit – there’s no downside to speaking to a Law Partners workers compensation lawyer.
If you’re not sure about getting a lawyer, you can still call Law Partners and get free legal advice from one of our specialist workers compensation lawyer based in Sydney. For more information, see our top tips on getting workers compensation legal advice.
Call 13 15 15 or chat to us now for free advice
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Get startedWhat does a workers compensation lawyer do?
Our workers compensation lawyers will help you with every step of the claim process, from making sure you don’t miss out on entitlements, to dealing with the insurer on your behalf.
Here are some ways our lawyers can help with your claim:
When you’re claiming for a workplace injury, you’ll need to see doctors to assess your injuries and receive medical care. Not all doctors are familiar with the workers compensation process, especially if your injuries are complex, and they may not include all the relevant details in your assessment.
At Law Partners, we have a network of hundreds of doctors, specialists, and medical professionals who understand how to help patients making workers compensation claims. We can recommend the right medical specialist for your situation, and we can often eliminate wait times to speed the process up.
Insurance companies have teams of medical and legal professionals dedicated to working on claims, and it can be extremely difficult to negotiate with them by yourself. Having a workers compensation lawyer means that you’ve got an experienced professional on your side who can help you get a better result that you may be able to reach on your own. This means that you can focus entirely on recovering and let your lawyer negotiate with the insurer.
If you’re using a lawyer to make a workers compensation claim, then you should go with someone who specialises in claims just like yours, not just a general personal injury lawyer. An expert in workers compensation claims can help you maximise your claim and can look after your specific situation. Some professions, like emergency service workers, are covered by different schemes, and a lawyer who specialises in workers compensation claims will be familiar with the different legislation.
A good lawyer will also make sure that all information is correct the first time that it’s submitted, help you receive timely medical treatment, and make the claims process quicker and easier.
When should I get a workers compensation lawyer?
If you haven’t made your workers compensation claim yet, it’s a good idea to speak to a lawyer before you do, even if it’s just for free advice.
If you’re entitled to lump sum compensation (i.e. a work injury damages or permanent impairment claim) it’s highly recommended that you get a lawyer to help you, as it’s likely you’ll get a higher payout than you could get on your own.
If you don’t know if you’re entitled to lump sum payments, you can call 13 15 15 and find out for free.
How do I find a workers compensation lawyer?
Law Partners is Australia’s largest specialist personal injury firm, and our team of specialist workers compensation lawyers has an excellent track record of success.
We pride ourselves on getting to know our clients personally. It’s how we find things that others don’t, so you get maximum compensation. Law Partners has over 1000 five-star Google reviews, and we win over 99% of our cases.
You can chat with us online or call 13 15 15 to speak to one of our specialist workers compensation lawyers.
Chantille Khoury
Principal
A Doyle’s Guide listed personal injury law professional and one of the country’s preeminent workers compensation specialists, with over 15 years’ experience in delivering optimal outcomes to injured Australians.