Those of us with pain can have many different encounters with the legal system…

• worker’s compensation
• disability issues, both social security and employer disability
• a legal case from medical liability or an accident, etc.

I asked a colleague, lawyer Deborah Rocco, to answer some questions about basic legal issues for us:

How to Cope with Pain:  Can you tell us about your practice?

Deborah Rocco:  I’m a shareholder in the firm Rocco Law Offices, L.L.C.  Our firm focuses on representing individuals in civil, domestic and employment disputes.  Our firm’s focus is protecting the rights of individuals and workers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
 
My practice currently consists of counseling and guiding injured workers through the process of workers’ compensation.  The guidance can be from the initial stages as to whether to return to work, file a claim, and where to seek medical attention.  If the worker is on benefits, I monitor the treatment and focus the client on either settlement, return to work or social security issues.

HtCwP:  Related to pain conditions, when is it good advice to talk with a lawyer?

DR:  For those wondering when you should consult a lawyer, I can’t urge you enough to speak to a lawyer as soon as you suffer an injury.  Having information to make educated decisions is critical, and the earlier that you educate yourself, the better those decisions will be.  Often, clients are overwhelmed, scared, or confused by conflicting information received from friends, co-workers, or even doctors.  Often, the legal advice is wrong, misleading, or irrelevant to your situation.

If you feel that your pain was caused by an injury, either from work, an auto accident, or other personal injury, you should speak to a lawyer.

HtCwP:  What are some of the challenges you face when working with patients with pain?

DR:  Those dealing with chronic pain have added difficulties.  Many fail to seek medical attention at the onset of symptoms, making the cause of symptoms difficult to determine.  Others fail to keep to a consistent treatment plan, making damage awards more difficult to obtain.

It’s essential that you speak to a professional as soon as you experience complaints.  And, keeping consistent and compliant with treatment is essential to allow your lawyer to establish your best case.

HtCwP:  How do you find a good lawyer?

DR:  Lawyers with successful practices rely on the trusted referrals of clients, friends and family.  Another option is to ask your County Bar Association for several referrals.  Often, finding a good lawyer requires some work, and you should trust your instincts and comfort.

Thanks so much to Deborah Rocco for helpful information.  Readers, what questions do you have for Deborah - submit them here.  Deborah can also be reached directly at drocco@roccolaw.com.