General

Do I Have to go to the Work Comp Insurance Company Doctor?

Dirk May Denial, General, Help, Insurance, Law, Medical, Settlements, Workers Compensation, Workers Compensation Commission

In Illinois, you do not have to treat with the doctor the insurance company sends you to or recommends, but you do have to attend the IME doctor appointment.

These are two different animals in Illinois Work Comp law. Sometimes insurance companies or employers will send you to an occupational doctor for treatment purposes. Under Illinois law you have the right to treat with your own doctor. You do not have to accept the Workman’s Comp doctor.

However, when the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Company sends you a notice to attend a Section 12 Independent Medical Examination you must attend. The Work Comp Law says that if you do not go to the doctor, then the Insurance Company does not have to pay you any benefits. The purpose of the IME visit is not for medical treatment. It is to prepare  medical opinion testimony for purposes of trial.

You should be careful what you tell an IME doctor. The Insurance Company hires this doctor, and he may testify against your interests.

Questions about doctors and insurance company exams? Feel free to call Illinois Work Comp Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Is My Work Comp Settlement Fair?

Dirk May General, Help, Insurance, Law, Medical, Settlements, Workers Compensation, Workers Compensation Commission

You never know who to trust. Especially with insurance companies.

I have seen them try to do some sneaky things with Work Comp settlements.

I have also seen fair settlements.

The key is do they pay all your medical bills?

Do they  take care of your time off work?

Do they factor in all your medical treatment?

Do they take into account your restrictions?

Do they anticipate your future medical needs?

Each case is unique. Each case has its own value.

Questions about your Illinois Work Comp settlement? Feel free to contact Illinois Work Comp Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Nerves and Your Social Security Disability Hearing

Dirk May General, Jobs, Lawyers, Medical, Social Security, Social Security Disability

It is normal to be nervous about your Social Security Disability Hearing. You have waited over one year, sometimes two years and a lot is riding on the outcome of your case.

However, the hearing itself should not be overwhelming.

The only people in the room are the Judge, someone recording the hearing, the vocational expert and yourself.

There is no jury. There is no other attorney who is arguing against your case.

The most important thing to know is the questions the Judge will ask you, and what the Judge will ask the vocational expert. With this information you can prepare for the hearing, and relax.

What are those questions? Feel free to call Illinois Social Security Attorney Dirk May to talk about them, at 309-827-4371.

Pain and Suffering and Work Comp Settlements

Dirk May General, Help, Insurance, Law, Medical, Settlements, Workers Compensation, Workers Compensation Commission

In Illinois Workers’ Compensation cases, pain and suffering is not part of the settlement.

This is different from personal injury cases where pain and suffering and the amount of medical bills are the main part of the calculation.

However, your testimony about your ongoing pain and suffering is important in your Work Comp settlement. Your restrictions are also very important to the value of your settlement.

Whether you have a surgery is also important in Illinois Work Comp cases.

In addition, your average weekly wage makes a big difference in the amount of your settlement.

Questions about your Illinois Work Comp settlement? Feel free to call me Illinois Work Comp attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Why is Work Comp Denying Me?

Dirk May General, Help, Insurance, Law, Medical, Settlements, Workers Compensation, Workers Compensation Commission

There may be a number of reasons that the Workers’  Compensation Insurance Company is denying your claim.

I have seen many of these reasons given for not paying injured workers or not approving medical treatment:

  • You got hurt somewhere else. It is not work related.
  • You did not treat with a doctor until a long time after your injury.
  • You treated with a doctor, but you stopped treatment and did not start treatment until a long time later.
  • You did not report your injury to work.
  • Your history of injury at work is not recorded in the doctor’s notes.
  • The insurance company doctor says the work accident did not cause your current condition.
  • The insurance company doctor says you are now fine and can return work.

Questions about why Work Comp is not paying you or your bills? Feel free to call me and talk about your case.