If we cannot settle your case, it will be necessary to go to a "hearing." A "hearing" is the term for a trial of a workers' compensation claim. We will let you know well in advance of the hearing date. And we will prepare you and your case for trial.
You will be required to testify. You will be the most important witness. You may need to testify about the injury itself, the medical consequences, the injury's affect on your ability to work and do other major life activities. We may call other witnesses for you, such as your spouse, friends, and/or neighbors, if we feel the need to do so.
We will need to go over your full testimony with you. You will meet with Mr. Helton in advance of your hearing to review your case, discuss the key issues, and learn what to expect while you are on the witness stand. Mr. Helton will ensure that you are fully prepared for this important part of your case. If you know of any witnesses who witnessed your accident or who know about your medical problems, you may want to bring those individuals' names to our attention fairly early (at least a month or so before the hearing). We may need to subpoena them.
After the hearing the lawyers will go to the doctor's office and record their testimony in front of a court reporter. The questions posed to physicians must meet technical legal requirements to be valid and to be accepted as evidence in deciding your case. After all of the depositions of the physicians are completed, each attorney will then write a brief urging the judge to decide the issues in the favor of their respective clients.
