In Illinois there is no strict payment schedule for work injuries.
It is based on past awards the judges (arbitrators) and commissioners have made for similar injuries.
For instance, if you have a herniated disc in your back and you have a wage of $500 per week the value of the case is calculated as follows:
Backs are worth a total of 500 weeks. 10 percent of the back for the herniated disc equals 50 weeks. You multiply 50 weeks times 60 percent of the weekly wage of $500. 60 percent is used because the Workers’ Compensation law provides this is the percentage used for permanent partial disability or the settlement. This results in a value of $15,000. This is just an example of how the numbers work out and not a hard and fast rule of what the value of the case may actually turn out to be.
For injuries after August 31, 2011, the value of most cases will go down because of a change in the law but not by a dramatic amount.
Be careful because some insurance companies are claiming that your case has very low value or no value.
This is not true for most cases.
Do you have to take the insurance company offer?
No, if you have concerns about the work comp offer you should contact an experienced Illinois Workers’ Compensation Lawyer.
Attorney fees are based on a percentage of what you recover at the end of the case. This is a great advantage to you and the amount of the written offer is not subject to fees.
Questions about your work injury case? Feel free to contact Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.