These fees are awarded separately and do not reduce the amount of workers' compensation benefits you receive.  The only time an attorney is awarded legal fees that will be deducted from your workers' compensation benefits is if your case settles.  In that situation, it is customary that an attorney will petition the Court to award a fee equal to 20% of the total settlement amount.  

     There are many tricks and traps that injured people fall victim to in their workers' compensation cases.  For example, even when you are receiving checks covering your lost time from work and think everything is being done correctly, many employers still have not accepted legal responsibility for your injury. 

     If you should learn later that your injury is more serious than you first thought or you attempt to obtain other benefits you thought you were entitled to such as payment for a disfiguring scar or payment of outstanding medical bills, you may be denied benefits and have no legal rights because your workers' comp insurer failed to complete a simple form and forward it to the RI Department of Labor. This could cost you thousands of dollars in benefits that you would have otherwise received, or it could even result in you being sued by your medical providers for payment of your medical bills that should have been paid by your employer.

     For a free, in-depth case evaluation with no cost or obligation, call today at (401) 921-4905 for assistance with your workers' compensation claim. If you prefer, you can also submit your legal questions to us through our online consultation feature.