Work injury lawyer could sometimes act as a hearing officer and performs various other legal tasks. The hearing officer acts as both judge and jury for the administrative adjudication of a workers’ compensation claim. A hearing officer must have a JD, but no special experience is required. A work injury attorney Oklahoma City selected to be a hearing officer receives several months of specialized training in the procedural, legal, and medical aspects of workers’ compensation. The training process includes attending hearings with an experienced hearing officer to develop familiarity with the hearing process. The hearing officer plays a pivotal role in the expeditious and impartial resolution of issues arising in the course of administering claims. Besides deciding the merits, the hearing officer manages the hearing process by granting or denying continuances, apportioning time between the parties, and controlling witness testimony. On occasion, hearing officers may even get into the act by asking key questions that the attorneys overlooked. Particularly where a claimant is unrepresented, hearing officers may explain the hearing process to the participants and offer guidance as to the next steps. In most cases, hearing officers say that the right answer is clear and the matter can be decided based on the evidence presented at the hearing. In some instances, however, an unusual issue may require additional research, and the hearing officer will issue an ex parte order postponing a decision to allow time for research and consultation with colleagues. With four hearings scheduled every hour, however, the vast majority of cases are decided without further review. Hearing officers develop a high level of expertise in dealing with even the most arcane features of workers’ compensation law. A lawyer who elects to pursue a career as a hearing officer must be comfortable making decisions. Hearing officers may hear upward of 100 cases a week, and each one requires a decision. Experienced hearing officers enjoy the autonomy of having control over their docket and deciding the issues. While the volume of cases may raise the specter of repetition or boredom, hearings involve a variety of interesting legal issues and the job is both varied and fun. Further, unlike a typical litigation practice, a hearing officer’s work week does not exceed 40 hours. work injury attorney Oklahoma city may also serve as hearing administrators. The administrator may conduct prehearing conferences for permanent total disability claims, but the job is largely managerial and supervisory. It is the administrator’s responsibility to assure that the hearings are scheduled appropriately, that hearing officers are assigned, and that notices are provided to all parties. The administrator will also rule on requests for continuances submitted in advance of the hearing. Some, but not all, administrators go on to become hearing officers. Hearing officers and hearing administrators are state employees, and these positions typically include benefits and retirement. An attorney may pursue a 30-year career as a hearing officer, but moving to private practice after five or six years is also an option. Law firms value the expertise and professional polish that good hearing officers bring to the practice and the lawyer may wish to return to the advocacy side of the table. Reading the reviews provided by the author is one of the best ways to gain necessary information on Workers Compensation Attorney Oklahoma city.
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