5 Questions to Ask a Baltimore Workers’ Comp Attorney About Filing a Claim

Did you suffer an injury at work? You might be eligible to file a claim for workers’ compensation. This means you’ll receive money while you heal from your injuries. A Baltimore workers comp attorney can answer your questions about your claim and help you through the process.

Speaking to a workers comp attorney can feel like an overwhelming experience, especially if you’ve never dealt with legal issues before. What should you expect and what questions should you ask your attorney about filing your claim?

1. How Long Will It Take for Me to Get Benefits?

The idea of being out of work due to an injury and not having an income is terrifying for many people. Your Baltimore workers’ comp attorney helps you assess your situation and understand how long it will be before you can collect benefits.

Keep in mind, your attorney might not be able to give you a definite answer. It’s impossible to predict the specific outcome of a workers comp case.

However, experienced attorneys have a general idea of how cases go. They’ve likely worked on cases similar to yours, so they can estimate the time frame and make an educated guess at the outcome. This provides you with general information to help you make important decisions and plan for the coming weeks and months.

2. How Do I Know If I Should Settle My Claim?

Every case is different. This means there’s no right answer to this question because what works for one person isn’t right for another.

What your Baltimore workers’ comp attorney can do is guide you through the process and help you make the best decisions based on the details of your case. Experienced attorneys can calculate your damages and give you an idea of whether or not a settlement offer is fair or not.

To read more about how workers’ compensation claims are calculated in Maryland, visit the Workers’ Compensation Commission.

3. Is Accepting a Lump Sum Payout Smart?

Again, every case is different, so the simplest answer to this question is “it depends.” Sometimes a lump sum is really the best option, but this isn’t always the case.

Keep in mind, even when it’s your best option, accepting a lump sum payout still has drawbacks. For example, an upfront payment might reduce your SSD benefits if you’re receiving those.

4. Is There Anything I Can Do While My Case is Pending?

Working with a Baltimore workers’ comp attorney allows you to focus on healing and getting your life back on track while your attorney handles a lot of the “legwork” of your case. But this doesn’t mean there won’t be anything for you to do. Your attorney can explain your responsibilities and obligations to ensure your case stays on track and things get done on time.

5. Is There Anything I Shouldn’t Do?

In addition to following your attorney’s directions regarding what you should do to move your case along, it’s also important to listen to them regarding what you shouldn’t do. Ask for a list of things you should avoid doing while your case is pending. It’s common for people to make mistakes and you want to do all you can to avoid doing anything to jeopardize your case.

If you’d like more information or you want to speak to someone who understands how Maryland’s workers’ compensation works, contact Shugarman & Mehring at 410.783.4200 or toll-free at 888.342.7200 to schedule a consultation.