Most ordinary people simply want the right and ability to work, to earn an income and to care for their families. However, injuries at the workplace can easily shatter those dreams. Every year thousands of people are hurt at work, causing them to lose income and even to lose the ability to work at all. Such employees may be entitled to be compensated, however, but without help from a workers compensation lawyer Atlanta employees may struggle to file a claim.

There are injury cases that can be settled without the intervention of an attorney. When the employer agrees that the incident took place at work, when the employee had no previous condition and when the injury can be considered as minor it is often possible to settle the case without fuss. This is certainly true if the injured employee did not in any way lose wages or other benefits he enjoyed prior to the injury.

In some cases, however, such as when the employer denies that the injury occurred at work or if the benefits due to the employee is not paid promptly, it may be best to hire the services of an attorney. The same is true if the employer punishes the employee for filing a claim by reducing his wages, by discriminating against him in any way or even by firing him.

It is also vital to hire an attorney if the injury is likely to result in permanent total or even partial disability. In many cases it would be possible to claim lifetime benefits but insurance companies resist such claims or try to minimize the immediate and long term needs of the claimant. An attorney will make sure that a proper assessment is conducted and that the best interest of the claimant is maintained.

A surprising number of claimants feel intimidated by insurance companies and their employers. They often end up accepting insufficient settlements and they even often meekly accept it when their claims are rejected out of hand. Attorneys in this field do not charge their clients unless they win the case. Thereafter they keep between 15 and 25 per cent of the settlement amount as their fee.

Filing a claim can be time consuming, stressful and complicated. Very few injured employees fully understand the system and they are often not aware of all their rights. An attorney will handle all the paper work, obtain all the required documentation and make sure that their clients are treated fairly. He will also make sure that the final settlement offer makes provision for the long term needs of his client.

It is very important to select an attorney that has extensive experience in dealing with these claims. Insurance companies want to limit the amounts that they have to pay and to this end they employ legal experts with ample experience in limiting the scope of claims. Against them, claimants without competent legal representation stand little or no chance of achieving success.

Nobody wants to become involved in legal matters. Sometimes, however, the services of an attorney is the only way in which to protect oneself and to make sure that one is treated fairly. When injured at work, the laws make provision for the protection of the victim.