Starting to think I should've gotten a lawyer from day one

I'm about a year into this whole workers' comp nightmare and I'm really starting to regret trying to go it alone for so long. My injury seemed simple enough at first, a bad fall at work that left me with a fractured ankle. I filed my claim, started getting my checks, and thought everything was going to be fine. Then they sent me to their doctor who said I was ready to go back to work way before my own doctor cleared me. I tried to fight it myself, sent letters, made phone calls, even showed up to a hearing without any representation because I thought I could just explain my side and they'd understand. Yeah, that didn't go well. The judge seemed annoyed that I didn't know the procedures and the insurance company's lawyer made me feel like I was on trial for something. I left that hearing feeling completely defeated. I finally broke down and found a workers' compensation attorney serving Rosendale  and the difference is already night and day. They actually know what they're doing, they know the deadlines, they know how to talk to these judges and adjusters. I guess I'm posting this as a warning to anyone who's thinking they can handle this stuff on their own. Even if you think your case is simple, these insurance companies have lawyers whose whole job is to find ways to pay you less or nothing at all. If you're up against that without someone on your side, you're fighting with one hand tied behind your back. Don't make the same mistake I did.