Our Georgia workers’ compensation attorneys don’t get paid until YOU get paid
A discussion of any legal topic usually circles around to the subject of cost at some point. As much as some people might want to seek justice for themselves for something unjust that has happened in their life, they don’t always get to do so. They hold themselves back, thinking that it will cost too much.
So, this begs the question:
How much does it cost to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer in Georgia?
Contingency fee arrangements
First, you should know that there is a unique concept in many areas of the law known as contingency. What this means is that you don’t pay unless you win your case and have the funds to pay your attorney out of the settlement proceeds.
In other words, the attorney doesn’t take any money from you until they are victorious in court and can take their cut of payment from the settlement or verdict that they win for you. The workers’ compensation lawyer has the same incentive structure as you do.
Free consultations
Most lawyers will want to meet with prospective clients at their offices or on the phone to discuss the case and what options you have going forward. This initial consultation is usually free, and it can last anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes.
During this meeting, the attorney will attempt to assess the strength of the potential case that you bring to them. If they determine that they can win a case for you, then they will work on setting up a contract with you to sign and accept them as your legal counsel moving forward.
Maximum amount an attorney can charge in Georgia
According to the State Board of Workers’ Compensation:
“The attorney fee will be based on an agreement between you and your lawyer, subject to the approval of the State Board of Workers’ Compensation if the fee is greater than $100.00. No fee greater than 25% of the employee’s award of weekly benefits or settlement shall be approved.”
What this means is that the state of Georgia sets the maximum amount that an attorney can take from a workers’ compensation case at 25 percent of the income benefits or settlement. The total length of time that the attorney can continue to draw their fee is a maximum of 400 weeks.
Medical expenses are part of the workers’ benefits package that you could receive, and these are not included in what the attorney can take as their fee. In other words, you don’t have to pay a single dime of your medical benefits award to your attorney for the work that they have done. That money is to be used strictly to pay those medical bills.
Attorneys are paid for successful cases
Someone might wonder why an attorney would fight hard for a case when they don’t see any money on the front end. The key here is that the attorney knows that they only get paid on successful cases. As such, they have to fight hard throughout the case to receive any money for their work at all.
It would be a waste of time for the attorney to spend on a case if they had nothing coming their way at the end. Thus, you know that they will fight vigorously to win your case.
Focus on more important matters
Attorneys have the ability to take some of the stress and burden off of the minds of their clients. This is critical because often the claimant needs to focus on healing and recovery. The attorney can take over the complex details of a legal case. Licensed attorneys have special training to understand these legal matters, and they have the experience and the education to make that happen.
Getting what you rightfully deserve
The state of Georgia has set up a system whereby workers’ compensation can be paid out to those injured on the job. Employers sometimes attempt to dispute this or fight it, which can leave employees out in the cold if they don’t fight back with legal action.
The cases brought before the State Board of Workers’ Compensation are often extreme examples of injustice brought upon by an employer who refuses to play by the rules and do what they should be doing to take care of their employees. It’s up to the injured employee to take the next step to challenge wrongdoing by their employer or insurance company. You have to step up and protect their own rights.
Let us start working on your case right away
There is no time like the present to learn more about your rights and start building your case. Everyone has busy schedules and hectic lives, but this is something that really should not wait. The longer that you delay, the less of a chance you have of winning your claim. These cases take time, and there are time limits on how long you have to file.
