I was at another Illinois Workers Compensation Docket this week and heard some Insurance Company lawyers laughing about injured workers without lawyers who received low settlements.
The problem is that the Insurance Company Adjusters want to settle the case for a low amount as possible. They have nothing to lose if the injured worker agrees to a low settlement. The only person who can stop a Workers Compensation Settlement is the Arbitrator. However, the Arbitrator can be distracted at the time she is reviewing the contract, or may not read all of the medical records presented, or may not be presented with the proper records. The worst thing that can happen with a low offer is that the Arbitrator will tell the insurance company lawyer to go back and get more money.
I feel bad for those people who have accepted an unfair Work Comp settlement. An attorney cannot take a fee on a written offer that has been made to you, the lawyer can only take a fee on the increased amount he recovers for you.
If you have questions about your Illinois Workers Compensation offer please call Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.