Illinois Work Comp and Independent Medical Exams

Illinois Workers’ Compensation law allows an insurance company to schedule as many independent medical exams for injured workers as it wants to.

An independent medical exam or IME involves a doctor the insurance company hires to examine an injured worker.

The purpose of the exam is not for treatment. It is to provide an opinion for the insurance company’s case.

This will be used against you in a trial or to deny benefits if the doctor’s opinion is that your condition is not related to the work accident or that you do not need anymore treatment or that you are able to return to work.

If this happens to you, then you do not have to give up on your case.

You should see an experienced Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney right away if this happens to you.

It does not cost you anything to hire an Illinois Work Comp lawyer. The law provides that all attorney fees are contingent upon winning your cases. This means that you do not have to pay a fee until you receive money from the insurance company. All fees are limited to 20 percent of the total award or settlement.

Do not the insurance company keep you from the money you are entitled to. Feel free to contact Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Chiari Malformations and Social Security Disability

Chiari malformations involve structural defects of the cerebellum. This part of the brain controls balance.

When part of the cerebellum is located below the foramen magnum it is called a Chiari malformation.

This may cause symptoms such as neck pain, balance problems, muscle weakness, numbness, abnormal feelings in the arms or legs, dizziness, vision problems, hearing loss, nausea, vomiting, depression, or headaches. Hand coordination and fine motor skills may also be affected.

CT scans and MRIs are often used to diagnose Chiari malformations.

Treatment for people who are symptomatic usually involves surgery. The purpose is to relieve the pressure on the cerebellum or the spinal column.

When the symptoms become severe they may interfere with work and activities of daily living.

This may require you to file for Social Security Disability.

To win your case you will have to prove the severity of your symptoms.

This will include having doctors’ records documenting the diagnosis, treatment and symptoms.

You will need to have your medical providers explain and record your problems and their frequency.

You should also have family members and friends keep a log of your problems and limitations and what they do to help you out.

Getting Social Security Disability benefits is never easy so your doctors and family must be made aware of your symptoms and the problems that result from your condition.

Need help? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

7 ex-nurses indicted after broken finger leads to amputation – Yahoo News

VINELAND, N.J. (AP) — Seven former nurses have been charged with criminal neglect in the case of a woman who needed her hand amputated after a broken finger wasn’t treated properly, officials announced Tuesday.

Source: 7 ex-nurses indicted after broken finger leads to amputation – Yahoo News

 

Click above to read.

Assuming the broken finger was a work injury, the consequences of nurses who improperly treat the injury is also covered in Illinois.  The work comp insurance company would be required to pay for the amputation. The injured worker would also have the right to sue the nurse for malpractice.

Neuropathy and Social Security Disability

Neuropathy is a condition that causes nerve damage.

In Social Security Disability cases what matters is its affect on the hands and feet.

Typically it will cause burning, tingling and numbness in the extremities.

Most cases of neuropathy are found in people with diabetes.

Some new studies suggest that obstructive sleep apnea may worsen diabetic neuropathy.

Diagnostic tools for finding neuropathy include an EMG/NCV test. Physical exams may also indicate that you have neuropathy.

The limitations that result from neuropathy are what matter in Social Security Disability cases.

The major areas of functioning that Social Security examines are lifting, standing, walking, sitting, reaching, handling and fingering.

If your neuropathy is severe it will most likely limit you to standing less than 1 hour, walking to several blocks and it may keep your lifting down because of problems caused with your legs.

Numbness and tingling in the hands will limit your ability to handle, grip and finger items. Almost all jobs require frequent use of the hands.

If you unable to stand and walk much and have problems using your hands, then you should be found disabled.

Questions about whether you can win your disability case? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

WorkersCompensation.com CompNewsNetwork – Family of Dead Hockey Star Takes Aim at NHL

Source: WorkersCompensation.com CompNewsNetwork – Family of Dead Hockey Star Takes Aim at NHL

 

Click above to read.

 

You would assume that there will a large number of these cases surfacing  in pro sports as the science advances and it becomes easier to prove the link between concussions and brain damage. Head injuries in the work setting will also result in increased filings. The consequences from head trauma simply do not disappear.