Illinois

Springfield man, 75, dead after being hit by car

Dirk May Illinois, In the news, Law, Lawyers ,

A 75-year-old Springfield man was killed Sunday night after he was hit by a car while trying to cross Peoria Road.David Bogart was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, at Peoria Road and Ardmore Avenue, about a half of a mile south of the Riverside Park entrance. He died of injuries related to the crash, the Sangamon County coroner’s office said Monday afternoon.The driver of the car, a 56-year-old woman who police did not immediately identify, told police she was driving on Peoria Road

Source: Springfield man, 75, dead after being hit by car

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The main issue in a situation when a pedestrian is struck is contributory negligence. This means did the injured person cross the road without taking proper precautions. The actions of the pedestrian may result there being a finding of no money damages in some cases.

How is the Workers’ Compensation Settlement Determined?

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

Injured workers in Illinois are entitled to 3 rights.

  1. Payment of medical bills for related treatment.
  2. 66 percent of your average weekly wage for the time your doctor has you off work.
  3. 60 percent of your average weekly wage for the value of your permanent partial disability, this is often referred to as the settlement.

There is no pain and suffering damages for workers’ compensation in Illinois.

There is no schedule of benefits for certain types of injuries; some states mandate payment of a certain amount of money for a broken leg, for instance. Illinois does not do this.

An example is that a herniated disc in the lumbar spine, without surgery, may be worth 10 percent of a person.

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act says your back is worth a total of 500 weeks. 10 percent equals 50 weeks.

Assume a person earned $500.00 a week for the 52 weeks before they were injured. 60 percent of $500 equals $300.

50 weeks times $300 equals $15,000.

As you can see the value of your settlement will vary dramatically based on your wage.

There is also a minimum and maximum rate used in calculating your permanency rate.

Questions about your Work Comp injury? Feel free to contact Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

 

Social Security’s ‘magic age’ changes

Dirk May Illinois, Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney, Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer, In the news, Law, Lawyers, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income ,

Source: Social Security’s ‘magic age’ changes

 

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Article points out that full retirement age increases for most baby boomers. The longer you wait, the more you make. The advantage for those who qualify for Social Security Disability is that you are treated as if you retired at full retirement age no matter what your age. The other advantage of Social Security Disability is that you qualify for Medicare within 30 months from your onset of disability date.

What to Do While You Wait for Social Security Disability

Dirk May Illinois, Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney, Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer, In the news, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income ,

Social Security is looking for specific information in deciding whether or not you are disabled.

Top tips to help you win your case:

  1. Get your medical tests. SSA loves objective findings to confirm your pain complaints. This means tests such as Xrays, MRIs, EMGs, or heart tests.
  2. Go to your doctor. Social Security thinks that if you do not go to the doctor, then you are cured. Make sure to go at least every 3 to 4 months.
  3. Complain about your problems and limitations. If your doctor records do not show that you are in pain, or need to elevate your legs, or rest every 10 minutes then Social Security will think you have no problems.
  4. Go to the emergency room or the hospital when needed. Many people experience embarrassment in going to the emergency room or hospital. Once again SSA expects you to seek emergency or acute care if needed.

You have to know what Social Security is looking for when deciding whether a person is disabled.

They want to know if you can function at a job full time.

They do not rely only on what you tell them.

This is why the doctor records and tests are very important.

Get your tests, go to the doctor, hospital and emergency room and tell them about all your problems.

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