While an injured worker may represent herself before the WCAB. It is not advisable. The employer and carrier almost always hire a lawyer in workers compensation cases. Their lawyers job is to use every means available to assure the injured worker( you) receive the least amount of benefits possible. Even nice claims representatives have supervisors whose only job is to reduce the amount of money spent on claims. In almost every case, the 15% fee to the lawyer is greatly outweighed by the increase in benefits obtained by the able attorney representing the injured worker, not to mention the aggravation avoided by not having to deal directly with the carrier’s attorney or difficult adjusto. If you decide not to hire a lawyer at the very least contact the information and assistance officer. A service provided by the WCAB.