The workers’ compensation system was designed to be a straightforward way of handling work-related injuries, but legal disputes are still common, often leading to the involvement of attorneys.

This study looks at how attorney involvement affects the indemnity payments workers receive to help cover their lost income after a work injury. It uses a method that accounts for the fact that lawyers are more likely to get involved in cases with more serious injuries or where disputes arise. These underlying factors, which are often hard to measure, have made it difficult to determine the true impact of attorney involvement in the past.

The study analyzes data from workers injured between October 1, 2012, and September 30, 2019, across 31 states. The data reflect experience through March 2022.

Impact of Attorney Representation on Workers' Compensation Payments. Bogdan Savych and David Neumark. September 2024. WC-24-22.

Copyright: WCRI