Make Sure You Get Your Workers’ Compensation Settlement

There are some workers’ compensation insurance  companies who fail to pay a settlement to injured workers.

In Illinois if you are injured on the job, then you are entitled to a work comp settlement.

Illinois law provides 3 remedies for on the job injuries: medical benefits, off work pay, and permanent partial disability (often called the settlement).

Some insurance companies conveniently forget to offer a settlement to the injured worker at the end of the case.

Many people do not understand their rights, and do not ask for their settlement.

If you do not get the settlement or file an application of claim with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission within 3 years from the date of injury, then you lose your rights (in certain situations the statute of limitations may be extended beyond the 3 years).

These insurance companies are counting on making money from injured workers who walk away from their settlements.

Make sure that you consult with an experienced Illinois Work Comp lawyer to get your settlement.

Illinois Work Comp lawyers only get paid if they recover for you.

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

Workplace accident death rate higher for older workers – The Washington Post

Source: Workplace accident death rate higher for older workers – The Washington Post

Click above to read.

People working longer and harder explains some of this. Illinois Work Comp law provides death benefits for family members but nothing close to the loss of a family member.

Mock Interview of Illinois Workers’ Compensation Arbitrator

This what I imagine an arbitrator, what they call a Workers’ Compensation Judge in Illinois, would tell you about the inner workings of the work injury system.

Q: What is the main part of your job?

A: The most important part of my job is to decide disputed cases and provide a well reasoned ruling as quickly as possible. I understand that an injured worker’s life has been interrupted and if they meet the requirements of the law they are entitled to off work pay, medical benefits and compensation for the injury. At the same time, the employer should not have to pay for medical treatment and any additional money to a person who was not injured on the job.

Q: What are you looking for when you have a trial?

A: Really for me there are two main aspects of the case I focus on. First, are the witnesses believable. In most cases there are only one or two witnesses, and the injured worker is the person who testifies the longest. Witnesses who tell a story that doesn’t make sense do not get very far with me. Witnesses who fight the lawyers or who are angry make it difficult at times. The second part is looking at the medical records. They really do tell a story.

Q: What specifically are you looking for in the medical records?

A: Did the injured worker go to the doctor right away? It does not make much sense if you are seriously injured and delay in seeing the doctor. Did you tell the medical personnel how you were hurt? Why would someone hide important information from their doctor?

Q: Any other important information you look for?

A: Did the injured worker file an accident report? Or is there a witness to the accident. These things can certainly make an injured worker’s case stronger.

Q: What about doctor testimony?

A: Sometimes in a close case regarding whether the accident could have caused the medical condition there are some complex issues. However, in most cases the medical records really show what is happening and the doctors are just confirming what makes sense.

As mentioned, this is what I believe an Arbitrator would tell you. But remember this is just my take on important parts of a case.

Questions about your work comp case? Feel free to contact Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

 

Worker injured at construction site for Jacksonville’s new water plant – News – The State Journal-Register – Springfield, IL

JACKSONVILLE – A worker was airlifted to the hospital to be treated for serious injuries after a fall from a ladder at the construction site of Jacksonville’s new water treatment plant Tuesday morning.According to a release from the city of Jacksonville, the worker fell approximately 20 feet. His name was not released, but the city identified him as a subcontractor.The lead contractor on the project is Williams Brothers Construction Inc. of Peoria Heights.Tyler Gilmour, project

Source: Worker injured at construction site for Jacksonville’s new water plant – News – The State Journal-Register – Springfield, IL

Click above to read.

Workers injured on the job are entitled to Workers’ Compensation benefits in Illinois. This includes payment for related medical bills, time off work pay, and payment for the injury itself.

Protect Your Work Injury Claim or Suffer the Consequences

After spending the day at Illinois Workers’ Compensation oral arguments I can give you some quick impressions.

The Commission and Arbitrators are more conservative and making it harder on injured workers.

They are picking on what you tell your doctor and when.

They are picking on when you wait to go to the doctor.

They are picking on when you fail to notify your boss of your injury.

Some fast take tips.

File an accident report and make a copy of it as soon as possible.

Go to the doctor right away and tell them it is a work injury and how it happened.

Complain of your pain immediately or suffer the consequences.

Make sure to tell them of all injuries and the related pain.

If you do not do this then expect to be denied and be ready for a long battle.

Following these tips will make life easier for you and protect your settlement.

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