If you’ve sustained a work-related injury or been involved in an accident that occurred on employer-owned property, you’re more than likely qualified to file a workers’ compensation claim. While it may be tempting to undergo the filing process on your own, hiring a lawyer who specializes in workers’ compensation issues helps ensure that your claim will be successful and that you’ll receive the monetary settlement that you deserve.

Here are several ways that a workers’ comp attorney can boost your case’s chance for success:

• Assist – Even though the concept of filing a workers’ compensation claim may seem straightforward, in reality, it’s often a complex process. With multiple forms to fill out, each with very specific requirements and strict deadlines to abide by, it’s easy to quickly become confused or make errors. When you hire a workers’ compensation lawyer, they guarantee that your claim is filed properly and on time, so you don’t have to.

• Acquire – It’s likely that your understanding of how to gather case-relevant evidence is limited. An experienced attorney, however, does know how to go about collecting evidence and will do so if brought on to represent your case. Hiring independent medical specialists to provide an evaluation of your injuries, retaining vocational experts to deliver testimonies about your job’s physical requirements, contacting witnesses who saw first-hand the accident take place – these are just a few examples of how workers’ comp lawyers help you build an air-tight case.

• Appeal – Workers’ compensation claims are frequently denied, either by employers or the insurance providers. Instead of facing the complicated, often confusing appeal process alone, an attorney can assist you with appealing your denied claim. In addition to filing a claim appeal, your lawyer can also make you aware of additional benefits that you may be eligible for, like disability benefits, unemployment benefits and wage reimbursement.

• Advocate – When it comes time to negotiate your settlement, an attorney will tenaciously argue on your behalf. Besides factoring in your current accumulated medical expenses, a lawyer will also help you figure out an estimate of your future medical expenses, as well as considering the severity of your injuries and how they’ve affected your life. With a professional’s tried and true negotiation skills on your side, it’s much easier to achieve a settlement worthy of your situation.

Filing a workers’ compensation claim? Contact Gold, Albanese, Barletti & Locascio, L.L.C. to discuss your options and procure an attorney to represent your case.