You can hire any attorney at anytime after being injured at work. Often people wait too long to call an attorney and as a result, they waive their rights and forfeit benefits that they were owed. Some of the warning signs that your claim may be headed for trouble are: being scheduled for an independent medical exam (IME); being assigned to a vocational rehabilitation counselor (VRC); having treatment or a condition denied; receiving any order you do not agree with or do not understand; being offered a light duty job by your employer. All of these are indicators that your claim may be about to close or your time-loss compensation stopped. An attorney will protect your legal rights to all eligible benefits under workers’ compensation law.