A few unofficial thoughts and observations about recent trends in Illinois Workers’ Compensation cases.
Cases filed appeared to be heading downwards.
In Fiscal Year 2008, 57,000 cases were filed.
In Fiscal Year 2011, 50,000 cases were filed.
In 2013 there have been approximately 15,000 cases filed through May.
Just from observing different docket calls in downstate Illinois and talking with other lawyers, the number of people settling cases without a lawyer are down.
What does all this mean?
Maybe insurance companies are telling injured workers that the changes in the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act are more extreme than they really are.
Maybe insurance companies are telling injured workers that their case is not worth anything.
Maybe insurance companies are telling injured workers that they can be their medical bills but not offer anything for a settlement.
These things are not true.
Settlement values are trending down somewhat, but it does not mean that your case has little or no value.
What you should do is check with an experienced Illinois Work Comp attorney to find out the approximate value of your case.
You have nothing to lose in doing this.
Work Comp lawyers do not get paid unless you recover money.
It is better to get the settlement value you deserve, then to leave money on the table.
Questions about the value of your Work Comp injury? Feel free to contact Illinois Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.