Denial

Workmans Compensation and Prescriptions

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


It is very frustrating when Work Comp companies will not fill your prescriptions in a timely manner.

It just does not make sense to have a hearing to order the insurance company to pay for your prescriptions.

Usually you will have to make multiple telephone calls, and wait a long time to get your prescriptions approved.

The easiest way I have found to get prescriptions for injured workers is to go through a mail order pharmacy. The pharmacy will negotiate with the Workers’ Compensation insurance company directly to pay the bills and mail the prescriptions to you. At the end of the case the pharmacy bill will resolved with the insurance company.

Questions about Workers’ Compensation and your bills, or settlement? Feel free to call Illinois Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Social Security and Medical Treatment

Dirk May Children, Denial, Help, Law, Lawyers, Medical, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income


No matter what your problem is keeping you from working, such as a back condition or depression, you will need medical treatment to win your Social Security Disability case. The Social Security Judge looks at your medical records to support the claims you make about your illness and limitations.

It is often difficult to get care, but it is the essence of a Social Security Disability case.

You must weigh the cost of medical care versus a life time of Social Security benefits.

Even bad health insurance will get you some treatment to show your ongoing limitations and problems.

If you have no health insurance, then you must try to get a medical card from the State of Illinois.

Some communities in Illinois have free health clinics or low pay health clinics.

Some hospitals or clinics will provide charity care.

Whatever kind of care is available you must search for it. It will often make the difference between winning and losing your Social Security Disability case.

Questions about Social Security Disability and winning your case? Feel free to call Illinois Social Security Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Work Comp and Medical Care

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


Some Workers’ Compensation Insurance companies give the impression or expressly tell you that you must go the doctor they send you to.

In Illinois, the Workers’ Compensation Law provides that the injured worker is allowed to go to 2 doctors of her choice and unlimited referrals.

When the insurance company sends you to a doctor this does not count as a doctor of your choice.

For example, say you get hurt at work and your supervisor calls an ambulance to take you to the local hospital. The hospital visit is not your choice.

If work wants you to see an occupational doctor, then this is also their doctor. You can choose to see a neck specialist to examine your injury. This is your first choice of doctor.

Assume that the neck specialist thinks your shoulder is also injured. He then refers you to a shoulder specialist. This is not your second doctor because your first doctor has referred you to the shoulder specialist. You still have a second doctor choice if you need it.

As you can see it can complicated. The main thing to remember is that you are not stuck with the insurance company doctor.

Questions about medical care and Workmans comp? Feel free to call Illinois Work Comp Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Social Security Disability and Unemployment Compensation

Dirk May Denial, Help, Jobs, Law, Lawyers, Medical, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income


Some judges will deny your Social Security Disability claim if you receive Unemployment Compensation for an extended period while you are seeking Social Security Disability payments.

I do not agree with this, but they do it because when you accept Unemployment Compensation you are telling the government that you are ready, willing and able to work full time.

This is a real problem because if you are able to work then you cannot be found disabled for Social Security purposes.

This is also a problem because what are you going to do if you have to wait for 12 to 24 months for your Social Security and you have no income.

Your first priority is to survive. So you may have to take the unemployment and worry about the consequences later.

I have seen several cases where the Judge grants Social Security Disability benefits but reduces back benefits. That is a much better result than not getting benefits at all.

If you are awarded Social Security Disability benefits you will have to repay Unemployment at least some of the money.

Questions about Social Security Disability and working? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Back Injuries and Workers Compensation Settlements

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


In Illinois Workers’ Compensation cases, body parts are given a value in terms of weeks.

For instance, the back is worth 500 weeks.

This is an example of a settlement:

Assume you have a surgery that is worth 20 percent of the back. 20 percent of 500 weeks equals 100 weeks.

Assume your average weekly wage is $500 per week. The Work Comp Law says you are entitled to 60 percent of your average weekly wage or $300 per week in this example.

$300 times 100 weeks equals $30,000. That is the value of your settlement.

As we have discussed in other posts, the nature of your injury, the type of surgery, and your restrictions make a difference in the amount of your settlement.

Questions about the value of your Workman’s Compensation case? Feel free to call Illinois Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.