1. Has the attorney practiced law for at least 10 years? Would you have a surgeon just out of medical school operate on your child? They may be smart, but they don't teach "experience" in law school. Choose experience because it really does matter.
2. Does the attorney specialize in workers compensation? - Workers compensation is an extremely specialized area of the law with laws that are constantly changing. I have personally handled workers compensation cases exclusively for nearly 30 years. I cringe when I get calls from injured workers who hired a "posers" or baby lawyer and soon realize the mistake they made. It may not be too late to change. In some special circumstances we will assist these injured workers change attorneys.
3. Has the attorney taken a case to hearing before a judge at Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings every single year they been an attorney. Why is this important? It demonstrates the attorney is not a dabbler who handles work comp some days and family law and criminal matter on others. It also shows that the attorney isn't afraid to take a case to a formal hearing and fight for their client when necessary. I know an attorney who claims to "specialize" in work comp for over 10 years but has NEVER gone to hearing. And guess what? Every single defense attorney and insurance adjuster know who these attorneys are. Even experienced personal injury attorneys are can be guilty of being work comp dabblers. You've seen these firms advertise on TV or on billboards...dabblers. Not a single top Minnesota work comp lawyer advertises on TV or has a billboard? Why because they don't need to advertise to get clients. Clients are often referred to Atkinson Law Office by other attorneys and doctors.
4. Take lawyer ratings with a grain of salt. Workers compensation disputes are very emotionally charged and frustrating. Just like any relationship there may be times when you and your attorney do not agree. Lawyers make recommendations and clients make decisions outside of the courtroom. When they differ it may be time to find a new attorney. In addition, many internet lawyer review sites are "anonymous" so some lawyers hire companies to leave good ratings...or poor ratings for others. It's unethical but not enforced by many professional oversight boards.
5. Listen to your gut instincts. Don't hire an attorney just because they were the first one to take your call or they sound nice. After asking the attorney the above questions and they answer YES to all three of the first test questions AND you seem to have a good rapport or ability to speak to them, you have found an attorney to potentially hire. I often encourage injured workers I meet for the first time to talk with other lawyers. I will even go so far as to suggest other lawyers who have the same expertise and high ethical standards as we do. In the end we want you to have a "good fit" with an expert Minnesota workers compensation attorney.
If you want a free consultation regarding your work injury contact the work comp experts at Atkinson Gerber Work Comp Experts at 651-333-3636.
