Work Comp: Ready to Settle?

How do you know when your Workers’ Compensation cases is ready to settle?

In Illinois, you must complete your treatment for the work injury before you can settle.

This means that your medical tests are over.

The surgery is done.

The therapy is completed.

The doctor releases you, or you stop going to the doctor.

You may continue to take medication for the condition, and settle your case.

The most important thing to remember is that when you settle your case it closes out any future medical treatment.

So be certain you are do not need any more treatment before you settle.

Now you are ready to ask the insurance company for your settlement offer.

Want to know if the offer is good enough?

Feel free to call Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

 

Board expected to rule in 30 days on former Trooper Matt Mitchell’s plea for workers’ comp | Crime | News Democrat

Board expected to rule in 30 days on former Trooper Matt Mitchell's plea for workers' comp | Crime | News Democrat.

Part of the controversy that did in a former Arbitrator when she tried to hold secret hearings in the case.

 

WorkersCompensation.com CompNewsNetwork – Using Facebook and Social Media as Tools in Workers Comp Investigation

WorkersCompensation.com CompNewsNetwork – Using Facebook and Social Media as Tools in Workers Comp Investigation.

Click above to read. Check out the inner workings of an insurance company and what they look for in a workers’ compensation case. Surveillance involves more than video taping someone.

 

WorkersCompensation.com CompNewsNetwork – Angry Injured Workers, This is What I’m Talking About! (Video)

WorkersCompensation.com CompNewsNetwork – Angry Injured Workers, This is What I’m Talking About! (Video).

Check it out. Do you agree?

 

Work Comp Pain and Suffering

Several times I have heard people say that my settlement offer is not enough to cover my pain and suffering.

In Illinois, Workers’ Compensation does not address pain and suffering.

The three areas that Work Comp covers is time off work, medical treatment and permanent partial disability.

Permanent partial disability reflects the nature and extent of your injury.

There is no schedule of value in Illinois for specific injuries.

A rough rule of thumb is that non-surgical injuries are worth less than surgeries.

Permanent restrictions are worth more than full duty releases.

If you cannot return to your old job due to your work injuries the value increases.

Everything is based on your average weekly wage the year before you were injured.

So a fast food worker will receive less than a union worker for the same injury.

Questions about your Work Comp injury? Feel free to contact Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

 

WorkersCompensation.com CompNewsNetwork – Ohio Car Salesman Sentenced For Workers’ Comp Fraud

WorkersCompensation.com CompNewsNetwork – Ohio Car Salesman Sentenced For Workers' Comp Fraud.

Click above to read. In Illinois there are 2 types of off work benefits: temporary total disability for being completely off work, and temporary partial disability for being off work part-time or due to reduced wages.

 

WorkersCompensation.com CompNewsNetwork – Teen Writers Of Hot TV Pilot “Workers’ Comp” Land Another Hollywood Heavyweight

WorkersCompensation.com CompNewsNetwork – Teen Writers Of Hot TV Pilot "Workers' Comp" Land Another Hollywood Heavyweight.

Now I know that TV is in trouble. Not much chance this show will last long.

 

WorkersCompensation.com CompNewsNetwork – Federal Court Holds That Carpal Tunnel Syndrome May Constitute A Disability Under The ADA

WorkersCompensation.com CompNewsNetwork – Federal Court Holds That Carpal Tunnel Syndrome May Constitute A Disability Under The ADA.

Makes things very complicated. You should ask a lawyer experienced in ADA claims what they think if you find yourself in this situation.

 

Work Comp Tip 105

One of the most important things to do in your Illinois Workers’ Compensation case is to report your injury as soon as possible.

It does not do any good to tough it out, or try to ignore your injury.

Late reported accidents are seen as suspicious.

Some insurance companies think fraud is involved when the accident is not documented until weeks later.

Many companies have policies that require an accident to be reported within 24 hours.

Illinois Workers’ Compensation Arbitrators look to see how much time elapses between the accident and reporting of the accident.

You have much to lose if you do not report your accident immediately.

You may lose payment of your medical bills.

You may lose payment for your time off work.

You may lose your settlement payment.

Make sure you keep copies of your paperwork showing that you reported your accident.

Questions about your Work injury? Feel free to contact Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

 

WorkersCompensation.com CompNewsNetwork – Tennessee Supreme Court Denies Work Comp Benefits To Employee for Willful Behavior

WorkersCompensation.com CompNewsNetwork – Tennessee Supreme Court Denies Work Comp Benefits To Employee for Willful Behavior.

Click above to read. I think Illinois courts would have ruled in the injured workers’ favor. This was a rather shocking result.