Recently, attorney and firm partner Stephen Harper was named Lawyer of the Year in Workers’ Compensation for claimants in Richmond. This distinction was given by Best Lawyers in America, and recognition is based entirely on peer review. For more than 40 years, Best Lawyers in America has used a methodology to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues.
Stephen is grateful that his colleagues in the legal world recognized his body of work. Below, we’re sharing an interview with him, where we discuss challenges, the motivation that drives him to support injured workers, and much more.
Q: What made you decide to support claimants in workers’ compensation cases?
I worked a wide variety of jobs before I became a lawyer. I washed dishes in a restaurant, worked in a warehouse unloading trucks, operated a forklift, and worked as an orderly in an emergency room during college. Those experiences made we want to help David fight the big bad Goliath, which is large employers and insurance companies. I can’t imagine representing anyone but the injured worker whose life is turned upside down.
Q: What is the most fulfilling part of your job?
Our clients’ lives have been upended. They’re hurt, have no money to pay the rent, and so much more. It’s a rough time for them. When we can answer their questions, tell them there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and help them, we feel like we have made a difference in their lives.
Q: What is the biggest challenge you face when helping claimants?
The people who come to us late… there are a lot of traps for the unwary in the worker’s comp system. There are multiple deadlines that can be missed and many ways an injured worker can hurt their case. For instance, you have to give notice to a supervisor within 30 days of the accident. You have to file a claim for benefits with the Virginia Workers’ Compensation system within two years, etc. Even if you are getting paid by the workers’ comp carrier, you can still be walking into a trap because no official award has been entered by the Workers’ Compensation Commission. And even if an award has been entered, it probably doesn’t list all your injuries and/or the carrier is underpaying what you should be getting.
People resign from their jobs after an injury. All of these issues crop up before they come to see us. Most of the time, if they had hired me earlier, I could have avoided all the issues that have happened in their case because they were not represented.
Q: Is there a particular case that was memorable to you? What made it memorable?
Two particular cases, and both involved clients who were paralyzed in their work accidents. Both cases were denied by the insurance companies. Ultimately, I settled their cases for millions of dollars, which secured their families’ future finances and medical care.
Q: Tell us about some of the work you’ve done for claimants in the Virginia General Assembly.
I have been a part of the VTLA (Virginia Trial Lawyers Association) workers’ comp section, and have participated in lobbying efforts for over a decade. I also served as the workers’ section legislative co-chair for over a decade. I help draft and lobby in support of bills that help injured workers, and they have passed. This includes bills that tolled the timeline for injured workers for filing a claim. This way, injured workers don’t lose out on benefits because of a time deadline. We also raised the limit for home modification costs for injured workers.
Q: How does it feel to be named Lawyer of the Year by your colleagues in the legal world?
It’s a huge honor. There are brilliant lawyers in Richmond and throughout Virginia who work tirelessly for their clients and do incredible work. To be named Lawyer of the Year by your peers is the ultimate compliment. Its nice to know that all of the time and work you put in for your clients is being recognized and appreciated by your peers.