If you’re an employee who has been injured on the job, it’s crucial to understand your rights, including the right to legal representation. You are entitled to be represented by a Worker Compensation Lawyer or a licensed representative of your choosing to navigate the complexities of your claim. Several resources, such as the New York State Bar Association and the Injured Workers’ Bar Association, offer tools on their websites to assist you in finding a qualified attorney specializing in workers’ compensation law in your vicinity. In addition to attorneys, the Workers’ Compensation Board licenses non-attorneys to represent claimants, ensuring a range of options for representation.
Your chosen worker compensation lawyer or licensed representative plays a vital role in your case. They cannot charge you directly for their services. Instead, if your case results in a monetary award, your representative may request a legal fee, which is subject to the Board’s approval. This fee, once approved, will be deducted from your award and paid directly to your attorney or licensed representative by the insurance carrier, alleviating the upfront financial burden on you.
For injured workers facing “medical-only” cases, which do not involve financial compensation for lost wages or permanent injury, free legal representation might be available through the Injured Workers Legal Assistance Project. This project aims to ensure that all injured workers have access to legal help, regardless of the financial aspects of their claim.
Disclaimer: It’s important to note that the New York Workers’ Compensation Board does not endorse or recommend any specific worker compensation lawyer or licensed representative. Similarly, affiliations with organizations like the Injured Workers’ Bar Association or the New York State Bar Association, and listings on their websites, do not constitute an endorsement by the Board. The Board operates as a neutral entity and does not function as a lawyer referral service. Engaging with the Board site, the IWBA site, or the NYSBA site does not establish an attorney-client or confidential relationship.
The Workers’ Compensation Board makes no claims or guarantees regarding the abilities of any attorney or licensed representative to handle legal matters. Before hiring a worker compensation lawyer or licensed representative, it is your responsibility to conduct thorough interviews and investigations to ascertain their qualifications and suitability for your specific legal needs.
