Qualities Of A Great Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Since 2001 we have helped tens of thousands of people find the best Illinois workers compensation attorney for their case. We only recommend lawyers who we’d suggest to family members or friends. If you’d like our help, please contact us at 312-346-5320 or 800-517-1614. We know great work comp lawyers everywhere in Illinois.

There are several qualities that make an attorney great, some more important than others. Attributes that make an attorney great vary and apply to the attorneys themselves, their firms, and their care for their clients. Here are some things we look for in recommending an Illinois work comp attorney.

Communication: A great attorney is one with stellar communication skills. The most successful cases stem from sufficient and thorough communication between the client and their attorney. Good communication warrants prompt returning of phone calls and emails as well as keeping in touch with the client on a regular basis. It includes active listening skills and patience when answering your questions. You should feel that they are keeping you updated as well as educating you on your case and the legal process.

Experience: A great attorney is usually one who has years of experience. They will have seen more cases and handled more clients. They will be wise in settlement negotiations and likely will have standing relationships with adjuster and insurance companies. All of these things help you and increase your chances of success. You are paying the same 20% attorney fee no matter who you hire, so there is no reason not to have an experienced attorney in your corner.

Expertise: Almost every Illinois work comp attorney we recommend does nothing but handle work comp cases. It’s not that other lawyers couldn’t do a good job, it’s that someone who only handles work comp cases every day gives you the best chance of a good result.

Reputation: There are some amazing Illinois work comp law firms. And then there are some that make people groan when they hear their name. If a law firm has a bad reputation, no matter how great the lawyer is, that can hurt your case. On the other hand, if the firm has a great reputation it can help you. And if the lawyer is known as honest it will also help your case. Some bad lawyers burn bridges with how they treat people. Your case could be harmed today based on bad behavior from a couple years ago.

They Care: A great attorney is not solely focused on making money; they are focused on the well-being of their client. You want an attorney who will only recommend a settlement because it is best for you and not their own wallet. A bad attorney may be inclined to settle because of the quick pay-out, but a great attorney will weigh the pros and cons of a settlement versus trial for the benefit of their client. They will also address issues that don’t make them money like payments of medical bills.

Aggressiveness: Not every Illinois work comp case is a battle, but they can be. The fact is that a more aggressive attorney will get you quicker and usually better results. This includes taking steps to get a case ready for trial, but also reaching out to the insurance adjuster and/or defense attorney and filing court motions that make the insurance company respond instead of just delay. Note that when we say aggressive, we don’t mean that they are a jerk. We mean that they do whatever can be done and do it in a timely manner.

Organized: It can be shocking to be in court and see some random attorney who is shuffling through papers to try to figure out basic facts on a case. The attorneys we recommend document their phone calls with you as well as case information. They will always be prepared for depositions, court dates, talking to the insurance company or any other time they are working on your case.

These are just some of the qualities we look for in recommending a lawyer. If you would like to speak with an attorney for free to discuss a case, please contact us any time.