Once you hire a workers’ compensation attorney in Georgia, no requires you to stay with that specific attorney or law firm until your case is resolved. Just as with any professional service, Georgia gives you the right to fire your lawyer and hire someone else. However, whether it will cost you anything to change workers’ comp lawyers after your case starts depends on the terms of your contract with the first attorney. Sometimes, there are no costs associated with switching mid-case, but in some instances, fees may apply. Why Should You Change Workers’ Comp Attorneys?
You should feel completely confident in your decision once you hire a workers’ compensation attorney. After all, your attorney will handle your case, and the outcome will directly affect your future financial stability. If you have doubts about your current attorney, it might be time to consider finding a new one.
Common reasons clients give for changing workers’ comp attorneys mid-case include:
- The law office doesn’t return phone calls.
- The lawyer lacks knowledge of workers’ compensation laws.
- Case developments occur too infrequently.
Costs You Might Have to Pay When Changing Lawyers
If you decide to change workers’ compensation attorneys after your case has started, there are a few potential costs to consider:
- Contract cancellation fees: Early cancellation fees are common across many professional service industries, including legal services. Some law firms include a fee for canceling the attorney’s contract before the case concludes. This fee must typically be "reasonable" to avoid trapping clients in unfair contracts.
- Completed work fees Workers’ compensation lawyers usually work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win your case. However, in rare instances, an attorney might charge for specific case-related services that aren’t dependent on the case's outcome. If your first lawyer provided these services, you may need to pay for them when switching lawyers.
- Work transfer fees: You may be required to pay a small fee when your first lawyer transfers case files, research, and documents to your new attorney. For example, if they mail physical copies of case evidence, you might have to cover the cost of copying and mailing.
- Third-party costs: If your first lawyer incurred expenses by hiring third-party experts for your case, they may seek reimbursement from you if you change attorneys, as they likely planned to recoup those costs from a settlement or award.
What is a Fee-Sharing Agreement?
When you change attorneys in the middle of a workers’ compensation case, both lawyers typically agree on a fee-sharing agreement. This agreement usually says something along the lines of, “Any financial compensation given to the client through a settlement or award will be split fairly between both attorneys who worked on this case.” In other words, the contingency fee agreement will be divided between the lawyers based on the amount of work each performed.
The good news is that fee-sharing agreements are common and make switching lawyers simpler for clients. When such an agreement is in place, you may not be responsible for paying some of the fees, such as contract cancellation fees or completed work fees.
Want a New Georgia Workers’ Comp Lawyer? Call Us At Morrison & Hughes, we are proud to have a trustworthy reputation among clients and legal peers throughout Georgia. Other attorneys and law firms recognize our name and know that we consistently achieve excellent results for clients facing difficult circumstances after workplace accidents.
If you're considering changing attorneys for your workers’ comp case, talk to us first. We can assess whether we’re the right fit for your case, and if you choose to hire us, we’ll guide you through the process of informing your previous attorney of the switch. Our familiarity with other law firms in Georgia allows us to manage these transitions with sensitivity, respect, and professionalism. Call (404) 689-2734 to request a free consultation about switching your current workers’ compensation to Morrison & Hughes.