Suffering an on-the-job injury can set you behind as you will not only need time to heal, but you will also have to get workers’ compensation. Like many others, you might not understand how the process works, but there are attorneys who make workers’ compensation issues their entire business.
Partnering with a workers’ comp attorney could set you ahead by helping safeguard your rights and receive monetary relief. And if you plan to work with an attorney through the claim process, then it’s worth checking if they have obtained a workers’ compensation law certification.
Specialty lawyers
If you’ve obtained an injury at work, chances are you saw a specialty doctor to diagnose and treat your condition. A burn might send you to the dermatologist, while a repetitive strain injury might lead you to a physical therapist.
In a similar fashion you wouldn’t hire a family or criminal law attorney to help you receive compensation and relief from a workplace injury. Although lawyers can’t practice without a degree and bar exam passage, the service and experience they provide varies.
Not only are their attorneys who practice specific types of law, there are also further measures they can take to prove expertise in their practice area, including law certification.
Certification process
To become certified in Pennsylvania, attorneys need to practice law in the state for a minimum of five years and dedicate at least 50% of their practice to workers’ compensation. The Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) has a Workers’ Compensation Law Section committee that decides which attorneys should receive certification on a yearly basis.
Achieving certification is more than just filling out an application. That’s just the first step. Applicants must also pass an exam and submit proof of continued legal education.
In most job fields, employers must meet specific qualifications and receive routine performance reviews from higher-ups. Similarly, certified workers’ comp lawyers must prove their eligibility every five years to prove up-to-date knowledge in the field.
Due to the strict process and high standards the PBA has set, less than 1% of attorneys in the state are certified.
Worker’s compensation claims
Seeking legal aid can be a daunting task, because you want to make the right choice and act fast — all at the same time. Choosing a certified workers’ comp attorney can lift stress from a situation that has already caused you physical pain.
