When you do not deal with Workers’ Compensation cases on a regular basis it is hard to understand what is a good or bad offer.
This is to be expected. The Work Comp insurance company does this all the time and has many lawyers and claims adjusters who work for them.
You have to be careful when dealing with these powerful insurance companies and carefully examine what is being offered to settle your case.
Once you settle your case it is over and you cannot get any additional money or any more medical treatment.
The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act provides you three rights: the right to payment for medical treatment, the right to payment for the time you are off work, and the right to payment for the injury itself.
The settlement offer should pay your medical bills, your time off work pay, and a fair payment for your injury.
The offer is based on your average weekly wage for the 52 weeks before your injury. So people with a lower paying job will receive a lower settlement than higher wage earners with the same injury.
There is no harm in having an experienced Work Comp lawyer review your settlement. It will not cost you anything. A lawyer is only paid on a contingency basis for any increased settlement offer above the Workers’ Compensation original offer.
Questions about your settlement offer? Feel free to contact Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.