Knowing the Arbitrator can be the difference between winning and losing
My first trial many years ago I represented a woman who did semi-repetitive work on the job and per her doctor had carpal tunnel. I was fresh out of law school and my boss at the time asked me to go to trial to get the experience.
My opponent was kind of an older attorney and didn't seem very organized. We talked before the case went to trial and he was encouraging me to settle. Young and confident with marching orders from my boss I told my client to decline the settlement offer.
I thought the trial went well as my nervous client testified well. However, it was clear from the get-go that my opponent and the Arbitrator had a great relationship. I was addressed as "counselor", my opponent was called by his first name. During a break the two of them yucked it up. Six weeks later I got the result and the case was denied. To this date it's the only time I've represented an injured worker and lost a trial with no compensation (as discussed in this blog, that is no great deal as our firm only takes on legitimate injuries).
The lesson from all of this is that while the facts are important, the ultimate income often depends on things you can't control. Because of this experience I launched www.findgreatlawyers.com to point people in the right direction for their case. We have a state wide network of attorneys that helps people find the right lawyer for their case. If you have a Lake County workers' compensation case, we will connect you with a lawyer that not only focuses their practice on job injuries, but has a great relationship with the Arbitrators up there. Same for any other county. This gives you the best chance of success.
Had my boss done the same thing in 1997 our client likely would have won her case.
We are workers' compensation attorneys that help people with Illinois work injuries anywhere in IL via our statewide network of attorneys. Contact us and we will answer your questions or find the right lawyer for your situation.
