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What happens if English is Not My First Language? Who Provides an Interpreter for my Legal Hearings?

On Behalf of Atwood Law | May 12, 2017 | Workers' Compensation |

In Nebraska, Rule 5 provides that “The court shall appoint an interpreter in any legal proceeding in order to assist a person who cannot readily understand or communicate the English or spoken language.” Once a claimant formally requests an interpreter at a hearing, the employer/insurance company must pay the costs for the same. There are different levels of interpreters who are available to provide services at a hearing, including (from highest to lowest): Certified Court Interpreters, Provisionally Certified Court Interpreters, and Registered Court Interpreters. There are also several levels of Sign Language Court Interpreters. The Supreme Court rules indicate that “diligent efforts must be made to obtain the highest level of certification before allowing an interpreter with a lower level of certification to interpret.” The Nebraska Supreme Court keeps a Court Interpreter Directory listing the language, certification level, area, and contact information of interpreters. The languages include Vietnamese, Somali, Spanish, Cantonese Mandarin, Bosnian/Serb/Croatian, ASL, French, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, Portuguese, and Arabic. If an alternative language is needed, the Interpreter Coordinators may be able to help. If you require a Court Reporter for your medical appointments, often the employer/insurance company will provide one at their cost as well. At Atwood Law Law, we know that you likely only get “one day” in Court and that it is important that you be able to understand the legal proceedings and communicate with the Judge and witnesses. We’ll do all we can to ensure that you are afforded an interpreter at your medical appointments, deposition, and court hearings.

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