What to Bring When Meeting with a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Getting injured at work is not something many employees put a lot of thought into. If you are like most people, you do everything you can to stay safe while at work, and you assume that your employer and coworkers are doing the same. However, according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than two million people per year suffer a workplace injury resulting in missed work or requiring they transfer to another position. At the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC, our Charlotte workers’ compensation lawyers proudly advocate on behalf of North Carolina workers, helping them recover the benefits they need to heal and get back to work.

If you’ve been injured at work, one of the first things you should do is to reach out to a lawyer. Most workers’ compensation attorneys offer free consultations, so it’s not going to cost you anything to have an attorney evaluate your case. To make the most of your initial meeting with a workers’ compensation attorney, you will want to bring certain documents. Below is a list of what to bring when meeting with a workers’ compensation lawyer.

A workers’ compensation lawyer will need some basic information about your job, such as:

• Your hire date;
• Your job title;
• Your hourly or annual compensation;
• An employment contract, if you have one;
• Any communications with your employer or their workers’ compensation insurer;
• A copy of the notice you provided to your employer; and
• Contact information for your employer and their workers’ compensation insurance company.

Providing your lawyer with information about your injury will enable them to more easily investigate the accident. Consider bringing the following:

• A description of how the accident occurred, in your own words;
• A list of witnesses to the accident and their contact information; and
• A copy of the accident report.

It will also be important to bring documentation of the medical treatment you’ve received, including:

• The date and location where you first sought medical treatment;
• A list of medical providers you’ve already seen;
• Any medical bills you’ve received;
• All medical records related to your workplace injury; and
• Information regarding any similar injuries you’ve suffered in the past.

You should also consider preparing a list of questions in advance to ask your attorney, for example:

• How long have you practiced workers’ compensation law?
• Do you handle other types of cases, or do you focus only on workers’ comp cases?
• How do you charge your clients?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of my case?
• What benefits do you think I will be able to recover?
• What else do you need from me to prepare my workers’ compensation application?
• How will I get ahold of you if I have a question about my case?
• Do you have any references I can speak with?

While all of these things will eventually become necessary, the bottom line is that you should not stress too much about what to bring when meeting with a workers’ compensation lawyer. The important thing is that you bring what you have available and communicate openly with your attorney about your injuries and history of treatment. From there, your attorney can help you locate any additional documentation that is necessary.

If you’ve suffered serious injuries in a workplace accident, reach out to the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC, for immediate assistance. Our dedicated team of Charlotte workers’ compensation lawyers has decades of experience guiding clients through the process and helping them obtain the benefits they need and deserve. We take as much time as needed to explain the process and answer your questions, so you can make the best decision for yourself and your family. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with a Charlotte workers’ compensation lawyer, give us a call at 704-405-2580. You can also reach one of our Concord workers’ compensation lawyers at 704-918-4747.