Insurance

Do I Have To Look For A Job?

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


If you think your Work Comp injury is keeping you from working permanently, do you have to look for a job?

Yes, the best proof of not being able to work in Illinois Workers’ Compensation cases is a job search.

Some people do not want to look for a job because it takes too much time, or it is inconvenient, or you are on Social Security Disability.

Look at it this way: the settlement value of your case increases dramatically if you perform a job search and you cannot work.

You are not required to actually take the job if you do not want it.

The job search will take some effort and time, but it is solid proof of the extent of the damage you have suffered.

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

Is Work Comp Open Medical Worth It?

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


Usually the only way to get future medical coverage in your Illinois Work Comp case is to take your case to trial.

This opens the door for you to seek work related future medical payments.

It does not mean you have insurance or guaranteed coverage.

You must ask the Workers’ Compensation insurance company for authorization.

They may deny you.

If you are denied, then you have to go back to trial to get your medical bills paid.

The review trial often takes longer than the original trial.

The whole process is long and drawn out.

However, it is worth it if you need a future surgery or other costly procedure.

If you think the possibility of costly treatment is remote, and you have health insurance you might decide that future medical coverage is not important to you.

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

Medical Bills and Your Work Comp Settlement

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


It is important to keep track of your work injury related medical bills.

You need to show what the bills are or you will not get paid.

Surprisingly, many providers do not keep very good track of their bills. You need to keep track of the bills to protect yourself.

Some bills get turned over to collections. You need to keep track of these separately.

The Work Comp settlement contracts must show the insurance company will pay the bills, or you will have to pay the bills yourself.

Questions about your work comp injury? Feel free to call Illinois Work Comp Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

New Illinois Work Comp Law and Settlements

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


The new Illinois Workers Compensation Law will dramatically change the way you will need to prepare for your settlement talks.

For injuries after September 1, 2011 the arbitrator will determine value of your injury based on AMA guidelines, what is in your medical records, and your limitations in light of work experience and age.

To put your self in the most favorable light you will need to explain in detail to your doctor what bothers you regarding your injury and how it limits your daily and work activities.

You should explain this to your doctor at each visit.

Most definitely, you should do this at the final visit.

Otherwise, you may end up with a short note in the records that provides “return to work without restrictions”.

This may seriously decrease the value of your case.

A detailed description of your problems in the final note will give you valuable information to argue for increased payment for permanent partial disability.

Questions about your Workmans Compensation claim, or what you need cover with your doctor? Feel free to contact Illinois Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.