- Do I need an attorney?
- Can I trust my BWC Claims Service Specialist?
- Can I trust my MCO?
- Can I trust my insurance claims adjuster?
- What are the requirements for Social Security Disability / SSI?
- Can I use a non-attorney representative in my Social Security Disability Claim or Workers’ Compensation Claim?
- What are the fees and costs?
- Should I hire an attorney located in my local area?
If your claim is being contested or has been denied, then you should confer with an attorney. If you have a workers’ compensation claim or personal injury claim, you should confer with an attorney if your claim involves serious injury, lost time from work, or if you have questions. You should not settle your claim without conferring with an attorney.
No. These government bureaucrats are not lawyers and do not understand the law. They cannot give legal advice. Their purpose is to protect the interests of the State of Ohio and not to protect you.
No. The purpose of the MCO is to reduce medical costs and to save money for the BWC and for the employment community. The less money that is paid to injured workers, the more money is made by the MCO.
No. Claims adjusters can never be trusted to settle your claim fairly. Their job is to save money for the insurance company and to pay you as little as possible. Even in the most serious of personal injury cases, the claims adjusters will try to settle your claim quickly so that you will not retain an attorney.
You must be unable to engage in sustained remunerative work activity due to physical and/or mental impairments for a continuous 12 months or have impairments that are expected to result in death. Your age, education, work experience, and background are factors. In addition, you must have worked a sufficient number of quarters to be insured for Social Security Disability. To qualify for SSI, you must satisfy certain financial hardship requirements.
Yes you can. However, non-attorneys cannot practice law, cannot make legal arguments, and cannot represent you in court. If your non-attorney representative loses your case, which often occurs, then it may be too late to hire an attorney.
All attorney fees are “contingent fees”, which means that if we win and you receive money, there is a fee, but if you lose, there is no fee. The percent that you pay will vary depending upon the type of injury, disability or employment law claim that you have and the level of appeal when your case is won and you are paid. The “costs” consist of expenses such as what we pay for medical records and reports, copying, investigation, court filing fees, etc. The costs are your responsibility. However, our firm normally will not request payment until the conclusion of your case. All fees and costs are carefully outlined in our written fee agreement and will be carefully explained to you. Remember that there is NO FEE, NO CHARGE and NO OBLIGATION for a consultation.
Injured and disabled persons are now receiving mail at their homes advertising for legal services by attorneys out of their local area. In addition, attorneys from out of town are advertising on our local television stations. You will not receive the same level of personal service and convenience if you hire an out of town attorney. These out of town law firms are not familiar with our local courts, hearing officers and administrative law judges. You should use a law firm located within a reasonable distance from your home.