Lawyers

What Kind of Work Comp Lawyer Do You Need?

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

Workers’ Compensation in Illinois can be complicated so make sure your lawyer is helping you as much as possible.

If you need your lawyer to come see you in the hospital or at your home make sure that you ask the lawyer.

Your lawyer should help you file your application. You want to have all the advice and input necessary before you provide any information to your employer and the Work Comp insurance company.

When you get any paperwork from the insurance company make sure you call your attorney. When you get a call from the Work Comp adjuster be sure to call your attorney. Any information you provide the insurance company may be used against you later in the case.

If you are scheduled for an IME doctor’s appointment call your lawyer right away to discuss what will happen.

Any discussion of settlement should be reviewed carefully with your lawyer. Once you sign the paperwork it is too late.

If you reach the trial stage you should go over and update all medical information with your lawyer before the hearing.

Getting ready for the trial and discussing the questions that will be asked at the hearing is crucial.

Only an experienced Work Comp attorney can prepare you for the questions the insurance company will ask at the hearing, and explain what you need to prove to win your case.

Finally, if you need a ride to get to the hearing then your attorney should be able to help if you cannot get there with family or friends.

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

Work Comp Insurance Company Tricks

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

Beware when a Workers’ Compensation Insurance Company makes you a settlement offer.

Some adjusters will tell you that you are only entitled to a low amount because their doctor has valued your case at a certain percentage of the injured body part.

This is called an AMA impairment rating.

In Illinois an insurance company can send you to a doctor of their choice and ask for an impairment rating.

Remember, the insurance company is paying the doctor for their opinion and the doctor understands who is paying the bill.

An example, is that the doctor will examine you for less than 30 minutes and give an opinion that your arm injury that resulted in surgery is worth 5 percent of the arm. In Illinois, an arm is valued at 253 weeks. 5 percent of the arm equals approximately 12.5 weeks. 60 percent of your average weekly wage is multiplied by the 12.5 weeks to come up with the settlement value.

The problem is that AMA guidelines usually result in a low impairment value.

What the insurance company does not tell you is that AMA ratings are only one factor in determining settlement value in Illinois.

The real value of the injury with surgery may be closer to 20 percent of the arm.

This is four times the value the insurance company has offered you.

As you can see, relying on the insurance company alone may result in a very low settlement for you that is not close to true value.

Make sure that you talk with an experienced Illinois Work Comp lawyer before you settle your case.

It will not cost you anything upfront. All Illinois Workers’ Compensation lawyers are paid on a contingent fee basis, and they will be able to tell if you are being made a fair offer.

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

Former workers’ comp insider says agency sacrificing workers to save employers money | Prairie Business Magazine | Grand Forks, ND

Dirk May Law, Lawyers, Workers Compensation, Workers Compensation Commission ,

Former workers’ comp insider says agency sacrificing workers to save employers money | Prairie Business Magazine | Grand Forks, ND.

Click above to read.

This could happen in any state, including Illinois. If the legislature passes laws to restrict injured workers’ rights and the Governor signs them, then you have lots of problems for someone with a work injury.

Your Doctor and Social Security Disability

Dirk May General, Illinois Work Comp Attorney, Lawyers, Medical, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income

Your doctor is very important in your Social Security Disability case.

What your doctor writes in your medical reports can make the difference between winning and losing.

The reason is that the Administrative Law Judge looks closely at your records and compares your testimony to what is contained in the records.

The major area of concern for Social Security Disability is how you function in daily activities.

This includes the ability to sit, stand, lift, walk, reach, handle and finger, and focus and concentrate.

You should explain to your doctor how your condition affects your ability to stand and walk. How long can you stand and how far can you walk. Why is it difficult for you. What happens after you reach the limit of standing and walking. For instance, does your back send shooting pains down your leg, or do you have back spasms.

How much can you lift? What happens to you when you lift more than 10 pounds?

Do you have to get up and move around after 30 minutes? Why and what part of your body causes this problem?

Do your hands and arms go numb and tingle? Does this make it so you drop glasses or other items? Is it hard to keyboard?

Is it hard to reach at all levels because of shoulder or elbow pain?

Is your focus and concentration off because of pain or depression?

Make sure that you tell your doctor about these limitations and how your body reacts.

This will help your case and reinforce your testimony at trial.

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