I'd imagine there's more money potential on the claimant side, though I'd also guess the clientele is a lot more annoying to deal with (I've never done defense work though). Claimants are super needy, and it can be taxing hearing constantly that they're in danger of losing their homes and whatnot when their cases are still probably months away from resolving, so there's little you can do to help.
2
Senior Associate 1
Yeah, I'm in central Virginia. Firms around here seem to do it one of two ways. They either offer a higher base salary of anywhere from $90k-$125k or so and then they give you a smallish percentage (five or so) of fees you earn. Or they offer a smaller base salary of $75k or so and then have graduated commission percentages as you hit fee thresholds (that can get pretty high, 25 percent plus). Associates with a few years of experience can make $150k or so, and breaking $200k is pretty realistic once you've got a full caseload. The top earners in my firm earn around $200k-$250k in just commissions on their earned fees, and then they get their base salaries and a cut of business they've generated too. Our commission structure is graduated, so less guaranteed money, but tons of potential for the people who really produce.
1
Attorney 1
100K
1
Attorney 1
Yes I’ve been doing WC defense since I passed the bar. Started around 60K.
Attorney 2
I think it depends where you are geographically and plaintiff/defense side is pretty relevant too.
I was in a middle size market
I started on the defense side - in 2012 base was 70k bonus the first few years based on hrs billed came out to about 25-30k
Now on claimant side - 150k base but “bonus” the last 2 years has been between 100-200k
1
Attorney 3
Started at base $96k (fresh out of law school) in so cal in house work comp defense insurance company. Just started in my 5th year and making $158k - So Cal In house work comp defense insurance company
1
Manager 1
Looking to join a wc defense firm?
Ayman Billah
120k 5th year defense in California. Most places start at 80 in defense and 70 in plaintiff
Attorney 4
NY-125k defense side; 4 YOE as an attorney; 2.5 years in WC
I'd imagine there's more money potential on the claimant side, though I'd also guess the clientele is a lot more annoying to deal with (I've never done defense work though). Claimants are super needy, and it can be taxing hearing constantly that they're in danger of losing their homes and whatnot when their cases are still probably months away from resolving, so there's little you can do to help.
Yeah, I'm in central Virginia. Firms around here seem to do it one of two ways. They either offer a higher base salary of anywhere from $90k-$125k or so and then they give you a smallish percentage (five or so) of fees you earn. Or they offer a smaller base salary of $75k or so and then have graduated commission percentages as you hit fee thresholds (that can get pretty high, 25 percent plus). Associates with a few years of experience can make $150k or so, and breaking $200k is pretty realistic once you've got a full caseload. The top earners in my firm earn around $200k-$250k in just commissions on their earned fees, and then they get their base salaries and a cut of business they've generated too. Our commission structure is graduated, so less guaranteed money, but tons of potential for the people who really produce.
100K
Yes I’ve been doing WC defense since I passed the bar. Started around 60K.
I think it depends where you are geographically and plaintiff/defense side is pretty relevant too. I was in a middle size market I started on the defense side - in 2012 base was 70k bonus the first few years based on hrs billed came out to about 25-30k Now on claimant side - 150k base but “bonus” the last 2 years has been between 100-200k
Started at base $96k (fresh out of law school) in so cal in house work comp defense insurance company. Just started in my 5th year and making $158k - So Cal In house work comp defense insurance company
Looking to join a wc defense firm?
120k 5th year defense in California. Most places start at 80 in defense and 70 in plaintiff
NY-125k defense side; 4 YOE as an attorney; 2.5 years in WC