Most Insurance Companies in Illinois will not include future medical treatment in a settlement contract. Why not?
Medical bills represent most of the expense of Workers’ Compensation in Illinois. Projected several years ahead, the medical expenses will just increase. So you can see that the Insurance Company does not want to pay for the medical bills. When the settlement contract is signed it closes out, or prevents, future medical.
If you need future medical treatment you will most likely have to have a trial. If you win you will be entitled to future medical.
However, future medical is not easy to get. Usually you will have to go through another trial, and then argue your case before 3 Commissioners. This can take several years. So it is not an easy process.
More importantly, the threat of future medical may result in increased settlement value because the Insurance Company wants to avoid the exposure.
Questions about future medical and your Work Comp settlement? Feel free to call me, Illinois Work Comp Lawyer, Dirk May at 309-827-4371.