Powell and Denny: Working for Injured Workers

Powell and Denny: Working for Injured Workers

Not terribly long ago I read an article dealing with a workers’ compensation lawsuit brought in another State. In this case, the injured worker asks questions of the defendant during discovery regarding whether the workers compensation insurance carrier had given any monetary donations or gifts to the board which handled workers compensation cases is said State (in Alabama, workers’ compensation cases go before Circuit Court Judges). There, the judicial board and appellate court ruled that such a question was impermissible.

I could easily understand the concerns of the injured workers in the article. They wanted to know if the insurance carrier had donated any money to the legal board which would decide the merits of their claim, and in a time when corporate money buys so much in government, there is a very legitimate concern when it comes to the court system.

Courts and judges are to avoid even the appearance of impropriety, so as to protect the integrity of the court and its decisions. The public will not have trust in a judiciary in which a quid pro quo appears to be taking place between judges and businesses or persons who may appear before the court. Not surprisingly, as the amount of money flowing into election campaigns has increased, public trust in the court system seems to have waned.

Since 1993, candidates for a place on the Alabama Supreme Court have spent over $58 million dollars. In 2006, Alabama’s average per capita income was approximately $30,000, yet $13.5 million was spent in races for our supreme court-with the Alabama Chamber of Commerce giving around 40% of the total money raised. Is it a surprise that inured workers are afraid that corporate money is having an effect on how their case is handled?

Honestly, I have not had to deal with a case where I feared that my client’s case was compromised by campaign contributions and I trust the judges I appear before, but the business interests in Alabama have definitely made their position on issues concerning workers compensation issues known to the appellate courts.

This is why the attorneys at Powell and Denny and other work injury attorneys throughout the State have worked with the Alabama Association of Justice to ensure that the appellate courts know our concern on workers compensation issues; issues related to cases our firm is handling and cases other attorneys have.

Many attorneys who represent injured workers in Alabama work together to help our clients and their cases. While we are competitors, we also know that ultimately, what helps one of our clients helps all injured workers in Alabama-and this really is what our job is all about.

If you have suffered a work injury and you have questions about your right to Alabama Workers Compensation benefits, don’t hesitate to CONTACT and speak with one of the experienced Alabama Work Injury Lawyers at Powell and Denny today.

Powell and Denny: We Work When You Can’t
Offices in Birmingham, AL and Huntsville, AL
Powell and Denny: Working for Injured Workers

Alabama Workers Compensation Attorneys
Birmingham Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
Huntsville Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

Powell and Denny have been selected as one of the Best Law Firms by U.S. News and World Report for each of the last 6 years, have been selected as one of Birmingham’s Top Lawyers by B-Metro Magazine for the last 3 years, have been selected by The National Advocates as one of the Top 20 Workers’ Compensation Firms (plaintiffs) and Powell and Denny, P.C.-has been selected as one of the “Best of the Best” law firms by The American Registry.

Mr. Denny is AV rated by Martindale Hubbard (the highest rating possible) and Mr. Powell has been rated as Superior by The National Registry

Powell and Denny: Working for Injured Workers