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When Should I Get A Work Comp Attorney?

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

It is always a good idea to get your attorney involved in the Illinois Workers’ Compensation process as soon as possible.

This protects you from damaging your case and makes sure that you maximize your settlement.

If you wait too long, then a lawyer may not be able to help you.

For instance, an experienced Work Comp lawyer can help you deal with the insurance company from the beginning and prevent mistakes that you may not be able to recover from.

Using a lawyer signals to the insurance company that you are serious and that they will not be able to take advantage of you.

You will definitely need a lawyer if the insurance company is low balling you or denying your claim. Your lawyer will be able to get you into court and prepare your for the hearing before the arbitrator. The lawyer will explain the questions you be asked and the evidence you will need.

The ideal situation is to go to an experienced Illinois Work Comp lawyer and get immediate assistance with filing your application, getting the medical records and bills and medical testimony, and preparing you for the hearing questions. This gives you the best shot at winning and getting the best settlement possible.

There are no attorney fees unless you win, and they are paid at the time you receive your money so this makes it much easier to get a lawyer to help you.

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

Is It Too Late to Get a Social Security Disability Lawyer?

Dirk May Help, Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney, Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income, Your questions

It is always a good idea to get your attorney involved in the Social Security Disability application process as soon as possible.

This gives you an idea of what Social Security is looking for, and what you will need to do to win your case.

However, there is not a point when using a lawyer is no longer helpful.

For instance, if you are denied you can hire a lawyer to help you appeal.

Even at the hearing the Administrative Law Judge is supposed to ask you if you want a lawyer.

If you tell the Judge “Yes”, then the Judge will stop the hearing and reschedule it to allow you to get a lawyer.

Some people get a lawyer after they have been denied at the hearing, in order to appeal to the Appeals Council.

This makes it difficult to find a lawyer because all the evidence has been entered and you are limited in what you can do and argue as a result.

The ideal situation is to go to an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer and get immediate assistance with filing your application, completing the questionnaires from Social Security, appealing promptly, and preparing for the hearing questions. This gives you the best shot at winning.

There are no attorney fees unless you win and you have back benefits awarded so this makes it much easier to get a lawyer to help you.

Questions about Social Security Disability? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.

Illinois Work Comp and the Future

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

Rumors are flying surrounding what will happen with Illinois Workers’ Compensation.

The recent election for Governor of Illinois will certainly bring some changes that will affect Workers’ Compensation cases.

The Governor elect is seen as a fiscal conservative who will favor business and insurance interests.

Major changes dealing with the primary cause of the work injury and relying solely on AMA guidelines for settlement value will need legislative approval. This means the democrat controlled House and Senate will need to agree with the Governor to pass anything this drastic.

The biggest change in the beginning will come in personnel.

The Commission will be under new leadership, and the Governor will have the authority to appoint new arbitrators and Commissioners.

The Chairman of the Commission will most likely send the message to Arbitrators and Commissioners that case values should be lower, and that decisions regarding connection between the the injury and medical treatment must tilt in favor of the employer.

Strictly speaking the Arbitrators and Commissioners are free to do what they want. However, it is naive to think that they will not respond in a way that is favorable to the Governor because they want to be reappointed.

What this means for the injured worker is lower settlements and tougher stances on cases with problems.

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

Stories, Word Pictures and Your Social Security Disability Case

Dirk May Help, Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney, Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income

You should do anything legitimate you can to help your Social Security Disability case.

Because it is very tough to win these days.

Disability Judges work under heightened scrutiny and there are large number of cases coming before them.

You must stand out in some way.

Remember, Judges are human.

Making your situation pop, believable, understandable and deserving of compassion is vital.

Beyond making sure that you tell your doctor your major problems and limitations, you must tell a good story at the hearing.

Stories have stood out over the centuries. Great truths are wrapped in the stories that Homer, Jesus, and Shakespeare told and stick in our minds.

It is not enough to explain that you have chest pain. It is more memorable to testify that when you start cleaning the kitchen you have to rest after a couple minutes because of chest pain.

It is not enough to testify that you cannot stand or walk for very long. You should be able to tell the Judge that after you walk around the block your arthritis kicks in with shooting pain and you need to sit down and rest for 10 to 20 minutes.

Judges often equate daily activities with being able to work full time.

You must paint the picture of your day and how you are off task for over 20 percent of the day due to pain and why you need to miss more than 2 days per month.

It is important to do more than show up for your hearing.

Questions about the best way to tell your story? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.