We understand that a work-related accident not only brings physical pain but potential anxiety about the uncertainty of recovering lost wages. It can be a traumatic experience; that’s why it is so important to have a personal injury lawyer who can guide you through the legal process and help you get compensation and workers’ comp benefits.

However, if you’re not satisfied with how your current workers’ comp attorney is carrying out your case, you can always change lawyers. In our blog article, we’ll tell you what steps you need to take to replace your current attorney.

But first, what is considered a work accident?

A work accident is any incident that occurs while performing tasks on the job that leads to a worker being injured or catching an illness. Work accidents that cause injuries are considered to be:

Although not all incidents that occur on the job are considered to be work-related accidents, it’s important to have a workers’ compensation attorney evaluate your case to determine if you have a case or not.

The legal process after a workplace accident

Once an incident has been determined to be a work-related accident, the next step is to hire an attorney and file a workers’ comp claim. Some benefits of having a workers’ comp lawyer include being guided on the forms you’ll need to file, gathering all evidence needed to prove your claim, and ensuring you meet deadlines to not miss out on receiving compensation.

After filing a claim, the process of negotiating with your employer’s insurance company begins. In order to get a good settlement, evidence is key. Insurance companies will protect their interests and find ways to not payout. If there isn’t an agreement, your case may go to trial where a judge and jury will determine the amount of money you’re owed.

We know that reaching a settlement is a lengthy and overwhelming process. That is why at Castan & Lecca, we listen to your story, gather all the evidence needed to back up your claim, point you to the right medical professionals, and prepare a legal strategy to get your compensation.

I’m not satisfied with my current workers’ comp attorney. How can I change attorneys?

There are a variety of reasons why someone might want to change attorneys in the middle of the legal process. The most common reasons are dissatisfaction with how a lawyer is carrying out their case, miscommunication, or lack of trust in the attorney’s ability.

We always remind everyone that in order to win a case, there must always be a trusted relationship between the clients and the attorneys. That being said, if you’re uncomfortable or unsatisfied with how your lawyer is carrying out your process, we recommend getting legal representation elsewhere.

Changing attorneys during a legal process isn’t complicated to do, but it is important that you follow these steps:

  •         Step 1: Inform your current attorney of your decision, in a respectful manner, that you’re going to change attorneys. We recommend providing them with the reasons behind your choice.
  •         Step 2: Take the time to find a workers’ compensation attorney who has experience in cases similar to yours and is willing and able to take on your case. Before making a decision, look at each attorney’s awards, cases won, and Google Reviews to know if they’re reliable and qualified.
  •         Step 3: Notify the judge about the change of legal representation in a timely manner to avoid delays in the process and to ensure that your new attorney is aware of the legal process’ current status and gather all the documentation needed for your case.
  •         Step 4: Provide your new attorney with all information and documentation related to the case so they can become familiar with the process and develop a new legal strategy.
  •         Step 5: Work collaboratively with your new attorney; have constant communication with them and establish clear goals to ensure that the case is progressing satisfactorily.

If you wish to change your attorney, we are ready to take on your case

If you suffer any work-related accident, your livelihood might be affected, and you may need legal representation to get your life back on track. That is why you shouldn’t settle for less in having an experienced attorney who can guide you through the legal process and get your compensation.

If you’re not satisfied with your current attorney and wish to change legal representation, remember this may delay your process and require additional time for your new lawyer. But again, you deserve to have the right workers’ comp attorney carrying out your case.

Regardless if you’re looking to switch to a new attorney or just need legal representation after being injured by a workplace accident, at Castan & Lecca, we’re here to help. Our legal team is ready to listen to your story and guide you through your process to get superior results for your case. Contact us today for a free consultation.

 

 

 

 

 

(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.