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Why Is My Disability or Workers’ Compensation Case Taking So Long?

Dirk May Help, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income, Workers Compensation , , , ,

Why does it take so long for most cases to reach completion?

Is it the lawyer who is so slow?

Why can’t I just get an  answer within a month or two and get on with my life?

First of all, a government agency runs the Social Security System. It usually takes approximately 6 months at each level and 12 months to get a hearing. This means that it can take over 2 years to get a hearing and then another month or two to receive a written decision from the Judge.

The reason for this is that there are thousands of cases filed all over the country each month. There are not enough workers to process the cases.

There are also thousands of cases at each hearing center. There are only a handful of judges at each hearing site. This slows down the process.

The Social Security Administration schedules all the hearings. Your lawyer cannot call up and schedule a hearing for you. This is different than many cases where the lawyer has some control over scheduling of trials and hearings. Your lawyer is at the mercy of  Social Security in scheduling your hearing.

Illinois Workers’ Compensation cases can only move forward when your medical treatment is completed. This often slows down your case if you are not healing properly or quickly, or need multiple surgeries.

Another thing that bogs down your Work Comp case is that it takes a long time to get your doctor’s deposition. A deposition is testimony of your doctor to support your case before a court reporter. Doctor’s are busy and her schedule and the schedules of your attorney and the insurance attorney must be arranged for the deposition.

Finally, the case must be set for trial. This takes several months to fit into the schedule of the Arbitrator ( the Judge for your Work Comp case).

Questions about your Social Security Disability case or Illinois Workers’ Compensation case? Feel free to contact Illinois Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Auto Injury?

Dirk May Help, Illinois, Law, Lawyers , , , ,

If you are injured in a motor vehicle collision make sure that you do the following:

Go for medical treatment right away.

The insurance company may use it against you if you delay.

You should report all your injuries to the medical providers and follow up with treatment in a timely manner.

You do not want the insurance company to raise a defense that you failed to cooperate with your doctors or did not report each condition.

Submit your medical bills to your group health insurance or your medical payment coverage. This will make sure that you have timely payment of your bills. Typically, the other driver’s insurance company will not pay your bills until a settlement is reached.

Make sure that you do not give a recorded statement to the insurance company. They will use your statement against you in court or pre-trial proceedings.

Make sure that you follow all the timelines required by State in which you were injured. Failure to do so may result in you being denied any recovery.

Questions about your auto injury? Feel free to contact Illinois injury attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Attorneys in auto injury cases only get paid if you recover a settlement or award.

Workers Comp Industrial Complex: The Middlemen Silencing Injured Workers

Dirk May Help, In the news, Insurance, Workers Compensation , ,

Journey into the little-known workers’ comp industrial complex.

Source: Workers Comp Industrial Complex: The Middlemen Silencing Injured Workers

Pretty staggering to imagine that the Work Comp industry has mushroomed to this size and the injured worker still has a problem getting the surgery and payments needed.

Mitsubishi Plant Closing and Work Comp Settlements

Dirk May Help, Illinois, Law, Settlements, Workers Compensation , , , , ,

If you have a workers’ compensation case pending or have been contacted to sign settlement papers you should make sure that you check with an experienced Illinois Workers’ Compensation lawyer.

Feel free to contact Dirk May at Williams and Swee to discuss your situation whether you are a Mitsubishi worker or work elsewhere.

As always consultations are free and fees are only charged upon recovery of money for you.

Can Union Workers Get Illinois Workers’ Compensation?

Dirk May Help, Illinois, Illinois Work Comp Attorney, Illinois Work Comp Lawyer, Law, Settlements, Workers Compensation, Workers Compensation Commission , , , ,

Illinois law does not prevent Union Workers from being able to collect Workers’ Compensation benefits.

No union contract can bargain away your rights to get work comp benefits for a legitimate on the job injury.

Make sure that you report your injury to your supervisor right away.

Make sure that you complete the accident report and list all your injuries. Get a copy for yourself.

Make sure that you go to the doctor immediately.

Make sure that you tell the nurses and doctors that you were injured on the job and all the body parts that you injured.

Make sure that you follow the doctor’s orders for treatment and keep all your doctor appointments.

Make sure that Workers’ Compensation insurance pays all your medical bills, your time off work and your settlement.

Some insurance companies will forget to tell you that you are entitled to a settlement. You are entitled to a settlement under Illinois law whether you are a union worker or a non-union worker.

Questions about your work injury? Feel free to contact Illinois Workmans’ Compensation Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371. Illinois lawyers only get paid if you get paid.