When Do I Need an Attorney?

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A good attorney will tell you if it makes sense to work with one.

Most of our clients are hesitant to hire an attorney. We’ll tell you right from the start if we think we can help you or not. However, there are some commons signs which we feel warrant having an attorney or at least consulting with one.

  1. The insurance company tells you your claim is denied. This isn’t always clear, but if your medical bills aren’t being paid or you’re off work and not receiving temporary disability checks these are indications the claim may be denied.
  2. The company is trying to pick your doctors for you. In Nebraska, you have the right to elect to have your family doctor treat you for your work injury. If the employer denies you this right it’s time to contact an attorney. Also, if the employer selects a non-treating doctor for an “Independent Medical Evaluation” this likely means they are trying to fight some aspect of your workers’ compensation benefits.
  3. If a medical case manager or vocational specialist contacts you. Each of these individuals is employed by the company and so doesn’t have your best interests at heart. These are experts trained to minimize the money your company has to pay for your claim.
  4. If you are being forced to return to work or your employer is not honoring your work restrictions. This may signal the employer or insurance company is pressuring your doctors or misrepresenting your work duties. It’s important for you to educate the doctors about what exactly your job requires physically so they can make informed decisions about returning you to work. Continue to do this even when you return to work.
  5. If your injury is to your neck or back and is permanent you should contact an attorney. In Nebraska these injuries entitle you to compensation based upon your loss of earning capacity. This requires an affirmative act on your part to get the Court to appoint a vocational expert to analyze this loss. Evaluating this analysis and getting this appointment are not things you should handle on your own.
  6. If the insurance company tells you your claim is closed, refuses to pay for ongoing medical care (including prescriptions) or offers a settlement. Only an attorney can tell you if a settlement is appropriate. Only the Court or you can close your case. Calling us for a consultation won’t cost you anything, but settling your case without a consultation can cost you thousands of dollars.

The offices of Rehm, Bennett, Moore & Rehm, which also sponsors the Trucker Lawyers website, are located in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska. Five attorneys represent plaintiffs in workers’ compensation, personal injury, employment and Social Security disability claims. The firm’s lawyers have combined experience of more than 95 years of practice representing injured workers and truck drivers in Nebraska, Iowa and other states with Nebraska and Iowa jurisdiction. The lawyers regularly represent hurt truck drivers and often sue Crete Carrier Corporation, K&B Trucking, Werner Enterprises, UPS, and FedEx. Lawyers in the firm hold licenses in Nebraska and Iowa and are active in groups such as the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, Workers' Injury Law & Advocacy Group (WILG), American Association for Justice (AAJ), the Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys (NATA), and the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). We have the knowledge, experience and toughness to win rightful compensation for people who have been injured or mistreated.

This entry was posted in Doctor, Doctor Choice, New and Back Injuries, Workers' Comp Q & A, Workers' Comp' Basics, Workers' Compensation and tagged , , .

4 thoughts on “When Do I Need an Attorney?

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