Help

There is no law that says you must use a lawyer to represent you in your Illinois Workers’ Compensation case.

But here are 5 reasons that may make you think about why a lawyer would help your Work Comp case.

1. An experienced Workers’ Compensation lawyer will be able to explain exactly what the Arbitrator is looking for in a winning case.

2. An experienced Workers’ Compensation lawyer will know the pitfalls of accident reporting, giving a history to your doctor, seeking medical treatment, working with restrictions, and looking for jobs if you can no longer remain at your former job.

3. An experienced Workers’ Compensation lawyer knows the value of your case and how to get the maximum settlement offer.

4. An experienced Workers’ Compensation lawyer may be able to get an increased settlement even when you have a written offer from the insurance company.

5. A Workers’ Compensation lawyer only gets paid if you get paid. The fee is 20 percent of your recovery. There is no fee if you have a written offer from the insurance company, and the lawyer does not get you any additional money.

There is no law that says you must use a lawyer to represent you in your Social Security Disability case.

But here are 5 reasons that may make you think about using a lawyer to help you win your case.

1. An experienced Social Security lawyer understands what Social Security is looking for when they review your disability case. This helps you know what evidence the Judge is looking for when he reviews your file.

2. An experienced Social Security lawyer knows the pitfalls in filling out the forms Social Security sends out. You do not want to mess up your case at the beginning.

3. An experienced Social Security lawyer will help you file your appeals online so that it can be done quickly and correctly.

4. An experienced Social Security lawyer will prepare you for your trial. You need to be prepared to answer the questions the Judge will ask. It helps to know the type of questions that will be asked and to know what questions to ask the vocational expert.

5. An experienced Social Security lawyer charges fees only if you win your case. No back benefits, then no fee. Fees are limited to 25 percent or $6,000, whichever is the lower amount. No fees are your monthly check.

If you forced me to give you the top piece of advice that would help you win your Social Security Disability case, what would it be?

There is not just one thing that will help you win your case, but this a very important factor that may tip the scales in your favor.

You must go to the doctor often and tell your doctor your problems and how they limit your activities.

This may seem like a no-brainer but I have seen many cases where the person does not go to the doctor very often, or they do not tell the doctor all their problems, or they do not explain how the problems limit them.

You should go to the doctor 3 to 4 times a year at least. Otherwise the Judge thinks your problems are resolved.

You need to tell the doctor all your major problems so they show up in the medical records.

You need to tell the doctor how your problems limit your daily activities so it shows up in the medical records.

Such as I cannot lift more than a gallon of milk because it hurts my low back.

Or my arthritis keeps me from gripping and using my fingers most of the time with both hands.

The limitation information is very important because Social Security Judges look closely at the medical records and base their decision on whether you are disabled or not on your restrictions.

Remember this is not the only thing that is important to your case, however it will go a long way toward helping you win.