Illinois Workers’ Comp Thoughts

This is a composite of different discussions and experiences I have had with insurance company staff, attorneys and people who have had sought workers’ compensation in Illinois.

This fictional interview takes poetic license to give you an idea of what happens at an insurance company when a work injury occurs.

What is your job?

I am a claims adjuster for a major insurance company. I handle work comp claims from time of injury until settlement.

How many claimants would estimate show up without a lawyer?

Quite a few do not have a lawyer.

What do you notice about claimants who do not have a lawyer?

They do not understand the process and why their bills are not being paid, or why they are denied, or the rights they have under the Illinois law.

What would you advise them if your boss would not find out?

Make sure you report your injury right away and go to the doctor immediately and tell them you were hurt at work.
This makes your case much smoother. You are also entitled to a settlement at the end of the case. If you are hurt make sure that you get all your medical treatment before you settle your case. Once you settle. It is all over and you have to pay for any future medical treatment.

Why do you think some people go into something so important as a work injury case without a lawyer?

They think that they have to pay a lot of money to get a lawyer to represent them.
They do not understand that the lawyers only get paid if they win, and the State limits how much the lawyer charges.
They do not understand that the insurance company has lawyers helping us every day.

Make sure that you do not make these mistakes in your Work Injury case. Feel free to call Illinois Work Comp Attorney Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.

Steve Duin: Workers’ comp investigator disputes 2013 TriMet stabbing accounts | OregonLive.com

Steve Duin: Workers' comp investigator disputes 2013 TriMet stabbing accounts | OregonLive.com.

Click above to read.

Shows the extent that some insurance companies will go in Workers’ Compensation cases. Make sure that you have someone protecting you when you need to file your injury claim.

What Kind of Work Comp Lawyer Do You Need?

Workers’ Compensation in Illinois can be complicated so make sure your lawyer is helping you as much as possible.

If you need your lawyer to come see you in the hospital or at your home make sure that you ask the lawyer.

Your lawyer should help you file your application. You want to have all the advice and input necessary before you provide any information to your employer and the Work Comp insurance company.

When you get any paperwork from the insurance company make sure you call your attorney. When you get a call from the Work Comp adjuster be sure to call your attorney. Any information you provide the insurance company may be used against you later in the case.

If you are scheduled for an IME doctor’s appointment call your lawyer right away to discuss what will happen.

Any discussion of settlement should be reviewed carefully with your lawyer. Once you sign the paperwork it is too late.

If you reach the trial stage you should go over and update all medical information with your lawyer before the hearing.

Getting ready for the trial and discussing the questions that will be asked at the hearing is crucial.

Only an experienced Work Comp attorney can prepare you for the questions the insurance company will ask at the hearing, and explain what you need to prove to win your case.

Finally, if you need a ride to get to the hearing then your attorney should be able to help if you cannot get there with family or friends.

Questions about your Workers’ Compensation case? Feel free to contact Illinois Work Comp Lawyer Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.

Illinois Workers’ Compensation- Where Do I Start?

Workers’ Compensation is a complicated law so you must know what to expect and what to do next.

The first thing you must do is report your accident to your employer and complete an accident report. Make copies of everything.

Next you should go to the doctor and explain that your injuries are work related.

You should let the Work Comp insurance company know what is going on with your medical treatment and give them any off work slips you have. You should also give off work slips to your employer.

When your medical treatment is finished you should let the insurance company know and ask them for a list of medical bills paid. You should confirm with your doctors that all medical bills are paid.

Finally, you are entitled to a settlement at the end of the case.

Some insurance companies will not tell you about the settlement or offer you a low amount.

Make sure that you check with an experienced Illinois Workers’ Compensation lawyer to find out if you are getting a fair settlement.

It does not cost you anything to use a Work Comp attorney until the end of the case. All fees are contingent on you winning your case. Fees are limited to 20 percent of the recovery.

Questions about your work injury? Feel free to contact Illinois Work Comp Attorney Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.

Work Comp Doctors and What They Mean

Illinois law allows the Workers’ Compensation insurance company to send the injured worker to a doctor of its own choice.

This doctor cannot provide you with any treatment.

The only purpose of this doctor is to examine you and the doctor’s opinion may be used against you in your case.

You will have to travel to see the doctor for an exam that will last approximately 10 minutes to one hour.

The doctor will write a report that describes your injuries, whether your condition is related to your work injury, what treatment is necessary, and your restrictions.

The insurance company may use this report to deny the injured worker medical treatment, stop payments, or deny the case all together.

If this happens, then you will need to have your doctor testify in your favor.

The Arbitrator will chose between the doctors’ opinions in deciding whether or not you win your case.

It is important to know that you must go to the insurance company doctor or you will be denied all benefits.

What is in the injured worker’s favor is that your treating doctor spends much more time with you and over the course of time sees how the injury affects you, and if the doctor is your surgeon sees the pathology of your condition in a way that the insurance company doctor cannot.

If you are ordered to see a Work Comp doctor make sure that you talk with an experienced Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney immediately.

Questions about your work injury? Feel free to contact Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.