Lawyers will typically provide a single free consultation to assess your case. Usually you don’t pay your attorney immediately, but instead, a fee is taken out of your award/settlement. This fee varies from lawyer to lawyer, but expect anywhere between 9-15% of your settlement to go to your attorney (the fee must be approved by a workers’ compensation judge). In some instances, an attorney will not accept a case if the worker does not have a permanent disability.
It may be best to hire an attorney with experience and who ideally specializes in workers’ compensation. To find names of potential attorneys, you can check out the State Bar of California (415-538-2120, or visit www.calbar.ca.gov), local bar associations, unions, or other injured workers via word of mouth. You can also try contacting the California Applicants’ Attorneys Association (1-800-648-3132, or visit www.caaa.org).
For more information, please visit www.dir.ca.gov.
*The materials provided on this website are for informational purposes only. The materials are not for the purpose of providing legal advice. Please contact your legal counsel to obtain official advice regarding legal matters.
