Watchdog: Menard prison’s staffing inadequate.
And they wonder why Work Comp claims are up. Click above to read.
Denial
Disability Payments Slow as Managers Chase Targets – WSJ.com
Disability Payments Slow as Managers Chase Targets – WSJ.com.
Is this the way government is supposed to work?
Social Security Disability and Your Doctor
Your doctor can be very helpful to your Social Disability Case.
Some doctors are reluctant to become involved in Social Security Disability cases because they do not understand the process.
They do not necessarily have to become an advocate in your case.
They do not even have to write a supporting letter for you.
If you remember to tell your doctor about your limitations each time you go for a visit, it can be very helpful.
For instance, telling your doctor that your back pain is constant and feels better when you elevate your feet to waist height a couple hours a day may find its way into the medical records after you tell her several times.
Telling your doctor about that your pain medications cause drowsiness and loss of concentration is also important.
Or that your hands and fingers experience numbness and tingling most of the day.
Limitations are the name of the game in Social Security Disability.
Remember to tell your doctor.
Questions about your Disability case? Feel free to call Illinois Social Security Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.
Medical Care and the New Work Comp Law
Keep your eyes open for more Utilization Review of medical treatment for injured workers in Illinois.
Utilization Review is another medical provider looking over your doctor or chiropractor’s shoulder and telling them whether your treatment is reasonable and necessary. This is supposedly based on national standards.
The change to the Illinois Work Comp law gives the employers more rights in relying on the Utilization Review.
If the employer uses Utilization Review it requires the injured worker’s medical provider to provide timely and complete reports to support their requests for the treatment. If they do not, then you cannot require Work Comp to pay.
In light of the Utilization Review, medical bills can be denied on the grounds that the extent and scope of medical treatment is excessive and unnecessary.
When Utilization Review denies treatment the burden of proof shifts to the injured worker to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the treatment is reasonable.
The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission is required to weigh all the evidence, including the Utilization Review opinion.
What all this means for the injured worker is:
Most likely the Employer will order more Utilization Review;
More weight will be given to the Utilization Review; and
More treatment will be denied to injured workers.
If you get notice of a utilization review, then you need to contact a lawyer immediately.
Questions about your Work Comp case? Feel free to call Illinois Work Comp Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.
Carpal Tunnel and Work Comp Changes
The new Illinois Workers’ Compensation law changes the way carpal tunnel cases are assessed.
The hand is now only worth 190 weeks versus 205 weeks. This means the percentage is based on 190 weeks.
The most that can be awarded is 15 percent of the hand for carpal tunnel cases. This equals 28.5 weeks
The only exception is if you can prove greater disability by clear and convincing evidence. At that the maximum award is 30 percent of the hand. This equals 57 weeks.
Clear and convincing evidence is going to be a pretty high standard.
This should keep the value of carpal tunnel cases down quite a bit.
Questions about your work injury? Feel free to contact Illinois Work Comp Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.