How Do Attorney's Fees Work in a Worker’s Compensation Case?

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Most attorneys’ fees in a workers’ compensation case are based upon a contingency fee arrangement between the attorney and the injured worker. A contingency fee arrangement is when an attorney agrees to provide legal services to the injured person and is usually only paid in the event the injured worker is successful in their case. If the injured worker is unsuccessful and receives no compensation, then the attorney is usually paid no money for their time and effort on the workers’ compensation case.

In North Carolina, the North Carolina Industrial Commission, sometimes called the worker’s compensation board, determines the attorneys’ fees paid to the attorney.  The Commission usually makes this determination based upon the retainer contract between the attorney and the client/injured worker. The Commission must approve all settlements to injured workers and the fees that are paid to the attorney.

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Most attorney-client retainer agreements specify a percentage of the total payment of the claim that is to be paid to the attorney. The percentage paid to the attorney in most workers’ compensation cases is somewhere between 25% and 33%.  This is usually determined by the complexity of the case. To learn more about how we can help you with your workplace injury contact us today.

Can I Get Fired From My Job For Filing Bankruptcy?

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The short answer is, no. Federal law prohibits an employer to discriminate against you for your declaring bankruptcy. According to 11 U.S.C § 525 (a) and (b), no governmental unit or private employer may “…terminate the employment of, or discriminate with the respect of employment someone who is or has been a debtor under this title…” In other words, you can’t be fired from your job simply because you have filed for bankruptcy.

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Can I Eliminate a Second or Third Mortgage by Filing Bankruptcy?

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If you are like many people, your home is not worth what it was a few years ago.  With the downturn of the economy, the value of your house has decreased.  Suddenly, you are “upside down” on your home and the sales price is not enough to pay off the first, second and sometimes third mortgage on your home.

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When the real estate market was strong, many people capitalized on the fact that their home was worth more than their first mortgage and obtained second and even third mortgage loans against their home.  Often this money was used to pay off credit cards or medical bills, and in some cases it was used to update or upgrade the home.  Regardless, the house is not worth what you owe on it today, and there is no way for you to sell the home without a short-sale or possible deficiency balance.

If the value of your home is less than what you owe on your first mortgage, you may be able to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy in a North Carolina bankruptcy court and “strip” the lien of the second mortgage.  In other words, if you file Chapter 13 bankruptcy you may be able to either file a lawsuit (adversary proceeding) or file a Motion to Value Realty and eliminate a great deal, if not all, of the amount owed on the second and/or third mortgage.  Obviously, the mortgage company has the right to argue the value placed on the property.  However, if you have obtained a market assessment by a licensed real estate agent or an appraisal by a licensed appraiser, it will be more difficult for the mortgage company to argue the value.

The adversary proceeding or Motion to Value Realty must be filed in addition to your Chapter 13 bankruptcy case.  For the lien of the second and/or third mortgage to be “stripped” or voided, you must have a bankruptcy court order canceling the lien on the second and/or third mortgage and you must receive a discharge in your Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

If you have questions on how you may be able to “strip” a lien on your home by filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Can I See My Own Doctor If I’m Injured at Work?

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In a workers’ compensation case you are not able to choose your own doctor. As a general rule, your employer has the right to choose a doctor to treat your injuries. The doctor chosen does not have to be your own personal doctor and is, instead, likely to be a doctor that your company regularly uses.

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Will I Lose My Retirement If I File for Bankruptcy?

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Generally speaking, no. However, there are always exceptions.

Most retirement plans are ERISA qualified, which stands for Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. This law was enacted to protect your retirement accounts from risky investments by your employer or plan administrator. If the plan is ERISA qualified, then your bankruptcy Trustee cannot seize your retirement money to pay your creditors.

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Can I Sue My Employer if I’m Injured at Work?

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As an employee, you cannot sue your employer for a work related injury. If the injury has occurred within the scope of your employment, you must claim your injury through the workers’ compensation system. The workers’ compensation system was set up as a form of insurance for both you and your employer. The system is looked at as a “no fault system” which means that injuries are viewed as an unavoidable aspect of work relationships and there is no need to prove that your employer or a certain person caused your injury.

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Workers’ Compensation Timeline

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The typical worker’s compensation case varies depending upon the facts of the case. Usually the employee is injured on the job by an accident. There are six common steps to handling a workers’ compensation claim.

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Rebuilding Your Credit After Bankruptcy – Pay Your Bills (Step #4)

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I’m sure you never thought this would be the case but this is the easiest step of them all. If you’ve followed the three steps before this you should have cleaned up your credit report, spent a year laying the foundation for your new credit with a secured credit card and now you should have obtained a reasonable unsecured credit card.

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Rebuilding Your Credit After Bankruptcy in 6 Steps (Step #3)

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After you’ve spent time laying the foundation for your new credit by using a secured credit card you will want to begin looking for an unsecured credit card. An unsecured credit card is a card where you do not put up collateral (cash, automobiles, etc.) as an assurance that you will pay. We typically recommend that you use a secured credit card for at least one year before moving on to an unsecured card.

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Rebuilding Your Credit After Bankruptcy: Secured Credit Card

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After your credit report is accurate you are ready to look for a secured credit card. A secured credit card is a credit card where a balance of money has already been posted. For example, most secured credit cards will require you to put up anywhere between $300 and $500. After doing this, you have a credit limit of the amount that you put up. I know, its not what you are used to in your pre-bankruptcy days but that’s okay. We are in a rebuilding period now.

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