• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Hurt on the Job? Call Bob in AZ

Hurt on the Job? Call Bob in AZ

"Justice for the injured worker"

602-234-3700
Call Today For A Free Initial Consultation
  • About Us
    • Attorneys
    • Meet the staff
    • Community
  • Workers’ Compensation
    • Benefits for injured workers
    • Am I eligible to apply?
    • My claim was denied.
    • Is PTSD covered?
    • Workers’ compensation guide
  • Work injuries
    • Back injury at work
    • Car accidents
    • Truck accidents
    • Traumatic brain injury
    • Shoulder injury
    • Slip and fall
    • View all
  • We Represent
    • Firefighters
    • Police
    • Paramedics
    • Professional Athletes
    • View all
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Free Workers’ Comp E-book
    • Reviews
    • Videos
    • Scholarships
  • FAQ
  • Contact

Signs of a Bad Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Hurt on the Job? Call Bob, Arizona Work Injury Lawyer
phone icon (602) 234-3700 Schedule an Appointment
Phoenix Job Injury Attorney (Home) > Arizona's Worker's Compensation > Signs of a Bad Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Red flags that you shouldn’t hire an Arizona workers’ compensation lawyer

When you hire a workers’ compensation lawyer, you might expect life to become easier. With help from the right lawyer, you won’t have to negotiate with an insurance provider, you won’t have to file so much paperwork, and you can simply focus on recovering and getting back to work.

However, a bad workers’ comp lawyer will create more trouble for you and may also cost you a lot of money. Here are several warning signs that you would be better off with a different lawyer.

bad workers’ comp lawyer

 

Unclear billing

Hiring an experienced, professional lawyer can be costly, but they should also be upfront about how they are billing you. There are different types of billing—hourly rate, blended rate and a flat fee, to name a few. Make sure you understand how billing works.

Your lawyer doesn’t know the details

Your lawyer should be well-versed in your case because they’re devoting a substantial amount of time to it. However, if you’re speaking to your lawyer and they don’t know your injuries or where you were injured, your case may not be receiving the attention it deserves.

You may also notice your lawyer asking the same questions repeatedly, which is a sign that they’re overworked. Not knowing the details of your case is also simply unprofessional.

You have never met or talked to your lawyer in person

With so many ways to reach a lawyer, many legal professionals choose to perform the bulk of their communications on the phone and online. However, you should meet your lawyer face-to-face as well. It’s especially important to find out if you have a good rapport with your lawyer and that you are on the same page. Without non-verbal communication, a lot of meaning is lost.

Your lawyer only considers one aspect of your case

With workers’ compensation, filing a claim to your employer’s insurance provider is only the start. There are often several other concerns that may have played a role in your injury including defective equipment, environmental hazards and safety violations. However, your attorney may refuse to file claims against these additional parties and limit how much you may ultimately be compensated.

A great lawyer will give you advice on any additional benefits that you may receive out of your workers’ compensation claim so you can come out ahead.

Relying on the opinion of the judge

A judge must approve your workers’ compensation settlement. However, just because a settlement has been approved, that doesn’t mean that you are receiving a fair and appropriate settlement.

Lack of updates

You may be wondering where your case is going, but your lawyer will not provide you with any updates. Good lawyers will typically respond to emails and phone calls within 2 days, barring holidays. If your case isn’t going well, an unprofessional lawyer might make themselves hard to find.

Your lawyer should be preparing you and coaching you through each key part of your workers’ compensation case. You must be prepared for your independent medical examination, deposition and hearing so you can have the best possible outcome.

No settlement negotiations

A vast majority of workers’ compensation cases are resolved through a settlement. However, you will not need to reach a settlement until you have reached the maximum medical improvement (MMI). This is the point at which your doctor does not expect you to improve any further.

A good lawyer will work hard to negotiate the highest settlement offer possible, while a crooked or incompetent lawyer will accept a low-ball offer so they can quickly resolve the case. If you think your settlement offer is too low, ask another lawyer for a second opinion.

A bad lawyer will place you under pressure to settle too early so that they don’t have to risk going to court. You should accept a settlement only when it will pay all of your bills and not when your lawyer simply wants the case to be over with.

Rather than being unwilling to represent you, a good lawyer will be happy to represent you in court. Bad lawyers, on the other hand, dread the discovery process and all of the paperwork that must be submitted on time.

Your lawyer’s office isn’t friendly

The law firm staff should treat you like a family member. They should be asking you about how your treatment is going and whether you like your doctors. They should also make sure that you’re following your doctor’s orders since a failure to do so can lead to your claim being denied. If you feel unwelcome, your lawyer might not be the right fit.

Injured on the Job? Read Arizona Workers’ Compensation FAQ


Injured on the Job? Read Arizona Workers’ Compensation FAQ

Questions and answers about compensation for a job-related accident, injury or illness in Arizona

Find out more

Your claim has changed without explanation

You may notice that your lawyer has updated your claim to include body parts that weren’t injured or symptoms that are not related to your injury.

The amount of damages your lawyer claims might seem excessive without evidence to support it. This is a problem that you only see with bad lawyers as they try to pad the damages to increase the settlement to an unjustified amount (and therefore increase their cut of the settlement).

If you see any warning signs of an unprofessional or crooked workers’ compensation lawyer in Arizona, there’s no reason to put up with it any longer. To report your lawyer’s behavior, contact the State Bar of Arizona.

If you’re in need of a skilled workers’ compensation lawyer, contact the Law Offices of Robert E. Wisniewski today for your free consultation.

Related resources

  • Arizona Workers’ Compensation for Brake Check Accidents
    Arizona Workers’ Compensation for Brake Check Accidents
  • What to Bring to Your Workers’ Compensation Attorney Consultation
    What to Bring to Your Workers’ Compensation Attorney…
  • Phoenix Injury Lawyer's Workers' Compensation Guide (DEV 2023)
    Phoenix Injury Lawyer's Workers' Compensation Guide (DEV…

Footer

DISCUSS YOUR CASE WITH AN EXPERIENCED WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAWYER TODAY

CALL: (602) 234-3700
TOLL FREE IN AZ: (800) 224-3220
FAX: (602) 230-7579

Law office locations

Phoenix

519 E Thomas Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Map and directions

Yuma

1455 W 16th St A2
Yuma, AZ 85364
Map and directions

    Get started with a free consultation

    Bilingual video consultations are available for your safety.

    Disclaimer: If you are not a current client of Law Offices of Robert E Wisniewski, PC, sending him or this site an email will not create an attorney/client relationship and the information you send may not be maintained as confidential. Please contact Mr. Wisniewski's office by telephone to arrange a consultation or complete a Consultation Intake Form. Viewing this website information also does not create an attorney/client relationship. This website is governed by the Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct.

    I have read the disclaimer.*
    Privacy Policy

    © 2023 Law Offices of Robert E. Wisniewski. All rights reserved. Disclaimer | Site Map | Law Firm Online Marketing by SEO Advantage, Inc.

    The Law Offices of Robert E. Wisniewski: Arizona Enjuris Partner Attorney

    • Facebook icon
    • Twitter icon
    • LinkedIn icon
    • Youtube icon