Imagine you’re at work, and you’re walking through a warehouse when you slip on something on the floor. You fall and land straight on your back. You feel a sharp pain and you immediately know something isn’t right. So many thoughts begin to race through your mind. Will I need medical care? How long will I be out of work? How will I pay for everything? Next thing you know, you’re unable to work and are filing for workers’ compensation benefits without knowing workers’ compensation laws or anything about the process.
A work injury is always scary for the employee. There is so much uncertainty involved. You’ll worry about your family’s financial future, as well as your medical care. A committed, experienced workers’ compensation attorney will help alleviate some of the stress you feel after an injury on-the-job. There are so many benefits of having a successful workers’ compensation attorney, like those at Castan & Lecca.

Secure Proper Documentation And Evidence

After an accident on the job, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. It’s hard to keep track of all the paperwork and documents you need to have for your case when you’re worried about your health and finances. A workers’ compensation attorney will ensure you have the proper documents and evidence for your claim, such as: 
  • Medical records
  • Witness testimonies
  • Statements from friends and family
  • Evidence showing poor workplace safety
Your attorney will help you gather all of the documents and records you need to win your workers’ comp case. 

Make Sure You Meet Deadlines

You need to keep in mind many important dates and deadlines during your workers’ comp case. With everything you already have on your plate, it’s beneficial to have an attorney on your side to help you keep your case on track.  You have to abide by a specific timeline for your workers’ compensation claim to go smoothly. The two most important deadlines to keep in mind are:  1) Notify your employer within 30 days of the accident, at the very latest  2) In Georgia, you need to file your claim within one year of the date of the incident.  An experienced workers’ comp attorney will be familiar with these deadlines and ensure you don’t miss them and mess up your claim.

Recieve Help With Insurance Negotiations 

Negotiating with insurance companies is a tricky business. If you lack experience, they will try to take advantage of you and offer you less than you deserve. A workers’ comp attorney will ensure you aren’t deceived.  Because of their knowledge of workers’ compensation law, your attorney will be able to estimate how much your case is worth properly. Hence, you know what you should be receiving from the insurance company.  The amount of compensation you should receive is based on several factors, including:
  • The extent of your injuries
  • Your medical expenses
  • Your disabilities
  • Lost wages
While you can try to calculate your cases’ worth yourself, your best bet is to discuss it with an experienced workers’ comp attorney, so you know you’re getting the compensation you deserve. They know the right factors to look for and the proper amount they’re worth.

Understand Workers’ Comp Laws Better

Unless you’ve studied it extensively, workers’ compensation laws can be confusing. Laws change all the time, so it can be hard to keep up. You need to understand your case’s details if you want to get the money you need after a work injury.  The attorneys at Castan & Lecca will walk you through the process step by step, so you always know your case’s status. Having an expert in workers’ comp on your side ensures insurance agents won’t take advantage of you. ç

They Can Appeal Your Denial 

There are many reasons your claim could be denied, including:
  • Your injury didn’t happen at work
  • You didn’t notify your employer in time
  • You were intoxicated
  • An approved medical provider didn’t treat you
  • You never received medical treatment
  • You didn’t file your papers on time
  • Your injury was the result of horseplay
Do you have a workers’ comp claim that was denied? That doesn’t mean you should give up on your case. An attorney can help appeal your denial. They can review your case and decide how you should move forward. That’s hard to do without expert workers’ comp knowledge.

Identify The Weak Points In Your Case

Even if your case is valid and has merit behind it, there may be some weak points. These can be hard for the average person to spot. An expert workers’ compensation attorney can identify those weak spots and prepare the proper responses.  The insurance company is prepared to come at any weak spots in your case. Make sure there aren’t any with the help of an attorney addressing those arguments.

Help You Receive Medical Treatment



After a work injury, some employees aren’t sure where to go to receive medical treatment. The financial cost can also scare people into not seeking the healthcare they desperately need.  An attorney can help you find the treatment you need and ensure it will be covered by compensation from your settlement. If you need help getting appropriate medical care, contact an expert workers’ comp attorney to handle your case.

How Do I Know If I Need A Workers’ Comp Attorney?

We always recommend seeking legal counsel when dealing with a workers comp case, especially in these situations:
  • Your workers’ comp claim was denied
  • Your permanent disability rating is disputed
  • You have a preexisting condition
  • You have trouble getting medical treatment
  • Your ability to work is in question
  • You’re receiving other government benefits already
  • You have a workers’ comp hearing 
If you need help with a workers’ comp claim, contact us.

Hire A Workers’ Comp Attorney If You Want To Win

As you’ve read, there are so many benefits the right workers’ comp attorney can provide you. If you want to win your workers’ comp case, you need a legal expert backing you up. It’s the best way to ensure you receive the compensation you need.  The attorneys at Castan & Lecca are prepared to fight for your rights after a work injury. We have experience getting injured workers the compensation they deserve, and we will do the same for you.  Your consultation is free, so what do you have to lose? Call Castan & Lecca, and we will get started on your case right away.

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(864)761-4141

Dustin Thompson

Attorney

Dustin Thompson was raised in rural Camilla, Georgia. Dustin graduated from Georgia Southern University majoring in political science and history. After graduation, Dustin obtained a law degree from Georgia State University College of Law in Atlanta. Before becoming a lawyer, Dustin worked a variety of jobs from a watermelon farm in Mitchell County to a policy think tank in Washington D.C. Dustin has practiced law almost exclusively in the workers’ compensation arena since 2014. For nearly a decade, he worked for a large defense firm in Georgia representing employers and insurers and gaining the invaluable experience and knowledge of how insurers defend claims. In 2023, Dustin joined the firm to use his expertise and litigation skills to help individuals who have been injured as a result of work accidents and third-party negligence.  Dustin has been repeatedly recognized by Best Lawyers: “Ones to Watch” in the practice of workers’ compensation. Outside of work, Dustin enjoys traveling, hunting, and attending sporting events. He and his family are active in Buckhead Church.

MICHAEL BOESCHEN

Attorney

Michael Boeschen (Mike) was born in Wichita, KS and raised in Chattanooga, TN. Mike graduated from The McCallie School and went on to study history, Spanish, and Latin American Studies at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. After graduation, he went on to pursue a law degree from the University Of Georgia School Of Law. During law school, Mike participated in the Legal Aid Clinic, assisting in the defense of indigent criminal defendants. Mike has been licensed to practice law in Georgia since 2002 and his main practice area consists of representing injured workers as they navigate through the Georgia workers’ compensation system. Mike is also fluent in Spanish. In his spare time Mike enjoys following soccer, cooking, and spending time with his wife and two young daughters. Mike and his family are parishioners of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Sandy Springs, GA

CHRISTIAN PECONE

Attorney

ED DENKER

Attorney

Edward Denker was born in Philadelphia, PA but has made Georgia his home since 1999. He graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. He then earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Georgia. Edward spent his first years in practice representing clients in personal injury and wrongful death claims. He then spent more than a decade honing his litigation skills representing employers and insurers in workers’ compensation claims, where he gained immense experience and knowledge of how insurers defend those claims. In 2017, Edward returned to his passion of representing people who have been injured at work or through the negligence of others. When he isn’t working, Edward enjoys spending time with his wife and their two children. He is also an avid sports fan, and enjoys cooking and travel

ILIANA DOBREV

Attorney

Iliana Dobrev was born in Bulgaria. After high school, she immigrated to the United States to study law. She graduated magna cum laude from Georgia State University with a Bachelor’s in political science concentrating on pre-law and minoring in Spanish. In 2015, she graduated from Georgia State University College of Law. While in law school, Iliana completed a Graduate Research Assistantship in Labor and Employment Law and Employment Discrimination and two externships in Immigration Law. As an immigrant herself, Iliana is passionate about advocating for and defending immigrants. She is delighted to help families stay together and pursue the American dream. Iliana is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and worked in both a fellowship and a firm specializing in immigration law. Iliana is fluent in Bulgarian and Spanish
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KEN THAXTON

Attorney

Ken Thaxton was born and raised in Roberta, GA. When Ken was a child, his father started a trucking business, which Ken ultimately spent over ten years working with through his late teens and twenties. Ken graduated from Houston County High School in Warner Robins, GA in 2001 with a 4.0 GPA. He then studied Business and Information Technology at Macon State College, ultimately graduating with a 4.0 GPA in 2004. After graduation, Ken continued to work with his father’s trucking company, and in late 2005, Ken and his father started an aircraft charter company, Southern Jet, Inc., under Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Ken served as President of Southern Jet from 2006 until 2010, when he and his father sold the company. Ken is a Commercially Licensed Instrument, Multi-Engine Pilot. While serving as President of Southern Jet, Ken started Law School at the University of Georgia School of Law in 2009. Ken focused primarily on business and civil law, including Workers’ Compensation, while at UGA. He graduated Cum Laude and in the top 25% of his class from UGA Law in 2012. Ken is a licensed to practice law in the State of Georgia, and he is also a licensed neutral (mediator) in the State of Georgia. Ken represents small businesses in transactional matters and business conflicts, and he also represents injured workers and Plaintiffs injured in cases of negligence. During his spare time, Ken enjoys swimming, cycling, sporting clays, and fishing. He also does charity work with a national scholarship fund
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ALEXANDER LECCA

Attorney

Alexander Lecca (Alex) was born in Miami, Florida to immigrant parents from Cuba and Peru. Alex graduated from Coral Gables High School, where he was a recipient of the Elsa Glazer Award (given to students who graduate with a 3.5 GPA and above). He went on to study marketing at the University of Miami School of Business Administration. At the University of Miami he was also a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. After graduation, he went on to pursue a law degree from St. Thomas University School of Law. In law school, Alex received several book awards and graduated Cum Laude. During law school Alex clerked for the Honorable Beth Bloom, had an internship with the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s office, and clerked for a prestigious litigation law firm. Alex is licensed to practice law in both Georgia and Florida and handles workers’ compensation and personal injury cases. He is also a registered mediator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. Alex is also fluent in Spanish. During his spare time, Alex enjoys outdoor activities with his wife and four children. He also helps coach his children’s baseball, football, basketball, and soccer teams. Alex and his family are parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church

DANIEL CASTAN 

Attorney

Dan Castan is a senior partner at Castan and Lecca, PC in Buckhead and represents injured workers before the State Board of Workers’ Compensation and plaintiffs in State and Superior Courts of Georgia for injuries suffered in accidents. Dan litigated one of the seminal claims securing the rights of undocumented workers to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits in the state of Georgia when injured in the case of Wet Walls, Inc. vs. Ledesma. Dan has successfully fought and settled multi million dollar cases. He was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey to immigrant parents from Cuba. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston College and received his Juris Doctor from The Washington College of Law at The American University in Washington D.C.  Dan was admitted to the Georgia Bar in November, 1993.  He is an active member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Atlanta Bar Association and the Workers’ Compensation Section of the State Bar of Georgia. Dan is a founding member and Director of the Latino Victory Fund Georgia and serves on the Board of The Latin American Association. Dan has been dedicated to getting Latinos elected to local, state and Federal offices in Georgia. He has been a Big Brother through Big Brothers and Sisters of Metro Atlanta and a mentor through The Latin American Association’s mentor/mentee program. Dan is married with two children.