How To Hire Experienced Workers Compensation Defense Counsel

Another way to upgrade your defense counsel is to get references and ask questions about workers compensation experience. Obtain the names, addresses, email addresses and phone numbers of three current clients in the workers compensation arena. CHECK THOSE OUT. Set aside enough time to do this.

Ask these questions:
1- Ask the former or current clients about the lawyer’s strengths and weaknesses?
2- Why do they use this particular firm?

To trim the time that such a laborious process might take, in lieu of a phone call or interview you might design a brief one-page questionnaire that you can mail or send as an email attachment. This is a time-efficient way of getting feedback from other clients. If the latter don’t respond, you are in the quandary of wondering whether they didn’t have anything positive to say or whether they are just too busy.

To be bold, ask the lawyer for names of former clients. Phone them and ask why they no longer use that firm or attorney. Otherwise, a firm can hand-pick three clients who are only going to give you rave — not balanced — reviews.

Kevin Quinley CPCU, AIC, ARM is a claims consultant, trainer, speaker and expert witness. He is the author of ten books on various aspects of claims management. He is a contributing author to the IIA textbook for the Associate in Claims courses, Principles of Workers Compensation Claims (Second Edition) 1998. You can reach Kevin at kquinley@cox.net, by phoning (703) 239-1694 or via his website, www.kevinquinley.com

Try the WC Cost Calculator to show the REAL COST of work comp.
Look at WC 101 for the basics about workers comp.

Workers’ Comp Kit^® is a web-based online Assessment, Benchmarking and Cost Containment system for employers. It provides all the materials needed to reduce your costs significantly in 85% less time than if you designed a program from scratch.

Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws are different. Consult with your corporate legal counsel before implementing any cost containment programs.