Legal Question in Workers Comp in Connecticut

Do I need a lawyer for WC

I had an eye injury at work which resulted in total loss of sight in the eye. I signed a retainer agreement with a lawyer right after the accident. The agreement was for 20% of all contested WC benefits and 20% of the gross settlement made in the event of a permanent disability rating or scaring. I have since read that payment for my eye is for a specific amount of weeks pay. Did I make a mistake hiring the lawyer? It seems that he will take 20% of my weekly pay that my family needs to live on. My calculations are that I will pay him approx. 18,000. This is a lot of money to my family and I don't see how he can help if the amount is already stated in the book. So far the insurance has paid all medical bills and sends my weekly check. The Lawyer has helped with the inital paper work but I don't see that being worth 18,000. Can I get out of the agreement ? How much do I owe the lawyer.


Asked on 4/15/07, 3:03 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
James Aspell Law Office of James F. Aspell, PC

Re: Do I need a lawyer for WC

The attorneys fee would be for 20% of what your pemanancy payment is worth. Are you telling me you are going to receive close to 100,000 in ppd benefits for the loss of sight in 1 eye? That would mean you have a very high comp rate.

You can always fire the lawyer buy he or she will likely claim the fee as earned by placing a lien on the file. You will then have yto have the comp commissioner step in and mediate it.

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Answered on 4/15/07, 3:34 pm


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