It will be interesting to see if settlement offers for injuries on or after September 1, 2011 will take longer.
This date is important because the change in the law requires Arbitrators to take into account AMA guidelines.
Workers’ Compensation insurance companies may send out their claims to doctors to have them give a percentage loss of use according to the AMA guidelines.
For instance, if you have a back injury the doctor will have to decide if your permanent partial disability is worth 5 percent of a person or 15 percent of a person.
This will likely mean you will have to be sent to a doctor to examine you and have a report written.
Of course this will take more time.
The insurance company also has to factor in your age, restrictions, job, and the information contained in the medical records.
Let me know what your experience is with the AMA guidelines and your settlement offers.
Questions about your Work Comp injury? Feel free to call Illinois Workmans Compensation Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.