You Should Know Your Lawyer

You Should Know Your Lawyer

It is not uncommon for our office to receive calls from injured workers or persons seeking Alabama Workers’ Compensation benefits or disability benefits from the Social Security Administration who are already represented by other attorneys.  Once we find out that they already have a lawyer, we tell them that they really should contact their lawyer to try to work out any problems they are having as the attorney they have should already have been working their case and should be in a better position to proceed with their case at this juncture and explain that we are prohibited from really discussing their case while they are represented by other counsel.  If they are not able to work out the problems they are having with their lawyer-then we explain that the case is there’s and if they are determined to make a change, we will be happy to talk with them.  During our brief conversation we often ask who their lawyer is-and you would be surprised at the number of times the person calling us has no idea who is actually representing them.

“I hired ______ law firm” is a familiar refrain in these conversations.  They know what firm they hired from the television commercial, but they really don’t know who is actually supposed to be representing them.  What often happens is that the person calls the number on the T.V. and talks to someone on the phone and hires the firm without speaking with a lawyer.  I have been told by attorneys who work for some of the large television firms that when they come into the office in the morning, they often have several new files waiting for them on clients with whom they have never talked.  Moreover, some television advertising law firms actually send out their Alabama Workers’ Compensation or Social Security cases to other firms instead of handling them in house, although you won’t hear that during their 30 second commercial.

This doesn’t happen just at the beginning of a case, but often continues throughout the case.  I could not count the number of times I have been at the Office of Hearing Operations waiting for a hearing with one of our disability clients when a lawyer comes in and calls out the name of someone waiting for their hearing.  The attorney then introduces themselves to the claimant and explains that they will be representing them during their hearing for disability benefits.  These disabled persons are about to go before a judge on one of the most important days of their lives with an attorney who they have never met or with whom they have never discussed their case.

At Powell and Denny, you will meet with either Mr. Powell or Mr. Denny, and they will represent you throughout the pendency of your case.  When you call or email our offices, you will communicate with us.  We will not refer your workers comp or disability case out to another law firm or have someone else show up to handle your hearing.  We believe that in order to adequate represent our clients, we have to forge a relationship with them.  I mean, how can we represent the interests of our clients and best present their case if we do not take the time to actually meet with them to discuss what is going on in their lives throughout the case?  Giving testimony at a hearing, trial or during a deposition is not something to be done without hours spent in preparation in conjunction with our clients, and this simply cannot be done adequately-in my opinion-through messages with a legal assistant.

You should know your lawyer, and they should know you.

We understand that we have to earn our client’s trust, that is one of the reasons we post so many blogs, have a section of Frequently Asked Questions on workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability issues and offer a free copy of our booklet “My Alabama Disability Claim” to anyone who requests a copy.  We strive to provide our clients with as much information as possible so they will understand the process they are involved in so they can have peace of mind that they have chosen the right lawyers for their case.

If you are employed in Alabama and have suffered a job injury and you have questions about your right to Alabama Workers Compensation benefits, of if you have been denied Social Security Disability benefits or SSI benefits, don’t hesitate to call and speak with one of the experienced attorneys at Powell and Denny today for a free consultation. Appointments are available in person, or virtually via Zoom if more convenient.

Powell and Denny: We Work When You Can’t

Offices in Birmingham, AL and Huntsville, AL

 

Alabama Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

Birmingham Workers Compensation Lawyers

Hoover Workers Compensation Lawyers

Huntsville Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

North Alabama Workers Compensation Lawyers

Alabama Disability Attorneys

Birmingham Social Security Disability Attorneys

Hoover Social Security Disability Attorneys

Hoover Social Security Disability Attorneys

North Alabama Social Security Disability Lawyers

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 9 years, have been selected as one of Birmingham’s Top Lawyers by B-Metro Magazine for the last 5 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 have successfully represented injured workers from Birmingham, Huntsville, Florence, Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, Athens, Decatur, Town Creek Ardmore, Hartselle, Madison, Toney, Scottsboro, Ft. Payne, New Hope, Guntersville, Albertville, Boaz, Ashville, Anniston, Gadsden, Cullman, Jasper, Gardendale, Morris, Kimberly, Centerpoint, Leeds, Tarrant City, Fairfield, Hueytown, Bessemer, Adger, Tuscaloosa, Cordova, Alabaster, Pelham, Harpersville, Opelika, Phenix City, Montgomery, Clanton, Calera, Enterprise, Monroeville, Mobile, Evergreen, Alabaster, Pelham, Trussville and towns and cities in between.

 

You Should Know Your Lawyer