I handled my first workers compensation claim in August of 1982.  At the time I was recently admitted, working alone and supplementing my income by tending bar on the weekends. My first case was the husband of a waitress, who had a hearing notice and did not know what to do. His biggest concern was being disqualified from doing outside work, by reason of his Arm injury. 

Not knowing much about the law I went to the Law Library, found a book that explained the law; I read it from cover to cover. I went to the court and observed how other cases were handled and meant a gracious older attorney who helped me understand the procedure. My client was awarded a small Schedule Loss of Use, which did not disqualify him from outside work and promised him life time medical. My client was delighted, but dismayed when he learned that the outcome did not produce money from which the Judge could award me a fee. I explained the law and my duty to put his interest in from of mine.

My client felt badly, and promised to remember me if he was ever injured in the future. He returned, twenty three years later, when he suffered an injury that ended his working years. We not only helped him with his workers compensation but also with his Social Security Disability and his Private Pension. This time we earned a fair fee.

This experience validated my belief that if I did a good job for my clients that everything else would take care of itself.