Hiring a Workers' Compensation Lawyer in Michigan
The limits on workers' comp lawyer fees in Michigan, filing deadlines, how to check a lawyer's license, and free state help for injured workers. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Michigan: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | A contingent fee is allowed except where Rule 1.5(d) or other law prohibits it. The agreement must be in writing and state how the fee will be determined; at the end, the lawyer must give a written statement of the outcome and, if there is a recovery, the client's share and how it was figured. Michigan Court Rule 8.121 adds requirements for some contingent fee agreements. Lawyers may not charge a criminal defendant a contingent fee, or charge a domestic relations fee contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of alimony, support or property settlement, or based on the lawyer's success, results obtained, value added or any factor that leaves the client unable to discern how the fee is determined. |
|---|---|
| If a lawyer takes your money | The State Bar of Michigan Client Protection Fund reimburses clients harmed by a lawyer's dishonest conduct, such as theft or embezzlement of estate, trust or settlement funds, or failing to return unearned fees; it does not cover malpractice, negligence, fee disputes or consequential damages. Limits: $150,000 per claimant and $375,000 for all claims against one attorney (prorated if exceeded). File within two years after the loss or six months after discovery, whichever is later (or within one year after a discipline determination or the lawyer's death). A Request for Investigation with the Attorney Grievance Commission is part of the application. There is no filing fee; a lawyer who helps may charge no more than $250 unless the State Bar authorizes more. Contact: cpf@michbar.org, (517) 346-6354. Fund home: https://www.michbar.org/client/protectionfund |
Michigan rules to know first
| Lawyer fee limits | Attorney fees in Michigan workers' compensation cases must be approved by a workers' compensation magistrate; disputed fees can be taken to a hearing and reviewed. The agency director may set maximum attorney fees by rule, and the maximums cannot be based on a weekly benefit (after coordination) higher than two-thirds of the state average weekly wage at the time of injury. For claims filed after March 31, 1986, fees follow a contingency fee schedule; if that schedule produces less than $500, the claimant may agree in writing to pay up to $500 total. Fees above the rule-based amount require a special order of the director. Source: MCL 418.858 |
|---|---|
| Deadline to file a claim | A claim (oral or written) must be made to the employer, or a written claim filed with the agency, within 2 years after the injury (or within 2 years after death). A claim is valid only if made within 2 years after the later of the date of injury, the date the disability shows itself, or the last day of work for that employer. The deadline is extended while the worker receives benefits or is given favored work because of the disability, and while the worker is physically or mentally unable to make a claim. Weekly benefits generally cannot be paid for any period more than 2 years before the worker files an application for a hearing. Source: MCL 418.381 |
| Deadline to challenge a denial | A party may ask the Michigan Compensation Appellate Commission to review a workers' compensation magistrate's or director's order by filing a claim for review no more than 30 days after the order is sent to the parties; the commission may allow more time for sufficient cause. Read on legislature.mi.gov on 2026-10-28. Source: MCL 418.859a(1) |
| Can you sue your employer? | Workers' comp benefits are the employee's exclusive remedy against the employer for a personal injury or occupational disease. The only exception is an intentional tort: the employer deliberately acted and specifically intended an injury, or had actual knowledge an injury was certain to occur and willfully disregarded it. Whether there was an intentional tort is decided by the court. Read on legislature.mi.gov on 2026-10-28. Source: MCL 418.131(1) |
| Suing someone other than your employer | Accepting workers' comp does not stop an injured worker from also suing a third party (anyone other than the employer or a co-worker) who is legally liable. If the worker does not sue within 1 year after the injury, the employer or insurer may sue that person in the worker's name. At least 30 days before any party files such a suit, it must notify the bureau, the worker (or dependents), the employer and the insurer by certified mail. Read on legislature.mi.gov on 2026-10-28. Source: MCL 418.827(1) |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service matches people who can afford to hire a lawyer with a participating panel lawyer; a referral assistant matches you by type of matter and area. Per the program rules (May 2023), the service "charges a $25 administrative fee" and the panelist "will provide up to a 25-minute initial consultation free of charge"; the fee is waived for residential tenants, Social Security claimants, workers' compensation claimants and personal injury plaintiffs. Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m., Monday-Friday. A Modest Means Program connects moderate-income people with attorneys offering reduced-cost help. Program rules: https://www.michbar.org/file/lrs/lrs-programrules.pdf |
|---|---|
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | Complaints (Requests for Investigation) about Michigan lawyers go to the Attorney Grievance Commission. Anyone may file, using the AGC form or a signed letter describing the misconduct with approximate time and place and any documents (unbound, unstapled). Requests are not accepted electronically or by fax; mail them to the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission, 755 W. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 2100, Troy, MI 48084. Intake decides whether the lawyer must respond or dismisses (you may ask for reconsideration); after investigation the Commission may close the file, issue a consensual admonition, place the lawyer on contractual probation, or authorize formal charges before the Attorney Discipline Board, and notifies the parties in writing. A lawyer's public disciplinary record can be requested from the Commission. Phone: 313-961-6585. |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | Michigan's LSC-funded legal aid organizations give free civil legal help to eligible low-income people: Lakeshore Legal Aid, Legal Aid of Western Michigan, Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, Legal Services of Northern Michigan, Michigan Advocacy Program and Michigan Indian Legal Services. |
|---|
All legal help in Michigan · Background guide
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.