Arizona Workers Compensation Law
There are many people who think that workers compensation is so informal that they can represent themselves at a hearing. I don't suggest that. There are judges. There are lawyers. They have rules of evidence. And there are the laws of workers compensation which are followed, as well as interrogatories, depositions and things of this nature, which I don't think the common person is familiar with.
I like practicing workers comp law because I feel like I help people. I went to law school so I could help people. I never wanted to be a paper pusher. And so I'm representing people who have been hurt on the job and can't work and need medical treatment. And I feel like at the end of the day I've really done a good job.
I could practice other areas of law, since I'm qualified, but I think it's necessary to stick to your area of specialty because there's so many different nuances, opinions that are coming out from the court and changes in the law that it's important that I stick to what I feel that I can do a good job with.
We don't have any paralegals at our office. When you call, you speak directly to an attorney. We're very hands-on, and we feel that attorneys are better equipped and better understand the nuances of the law to determine whether or not you need an attorney.
The workers compensation in Arizona is handled by the insurance companies. There is some talk about them being totally fair and honest and to some extent they really are. But more often than not, they are concerned about the money that they're going to have to pay out for themselves and on behalf of the employers. So when it comes--push comes to shove, they're looking for their own interests.
Most people think the insurance company is there to protect their rights and it's really the opposite. The insurance company is--their job is to pay as little as possible. And the adjuster is not their friend; the adjuster's job is to pay as little as possible. The insurance company is bound by the rules of the law and that's what I do is protect the injured worker.
We don't charge any fee upfront. Our fees come out of a percentage of what we're successful in collecting for you as the recipient of the workers comp benefits.
Even if you just have a small question, absolutely pick up the phone and call our firm. We talk to people all day long on the phone. If you don't understand something, you can run it by one of our attorneys. We can tell you pretty quickly over the phone what your next path is and what we think we can do to help you.
When somebody calls in for a free consultation, I talk to them on the phone. We evaluate what it looks like, and if I can help them do it themselves, then I do it. If it looks like they need an attorney and then I suggest that they make an appointment to come in and see us.
Workers compensation law is complicated and moves very quickly. Most attorneys don't understand the nuances involved in workers comp. We only do workers comp. We don't do Social Security; we don't do disability. If you have a question, pick up the phone, call us. We'd be glad to talk to you.
