Springfield, Illinois looking into ways to cut Work Comp claims and settlements. Click here to read article.
Medical
Do I Have To Look For A Job?
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.
Social Security Disability Doctors
Who are the doctors Social Security sends you for your disability case?
In Illinois, at least, they seem to be properly qualified.
However, they certainly are not specialists for each case.
They perform a quick exam and write a report listing your problems and results for Social Security.
Social Security uses the exam as a basis for your Residual Functional Capacity evaluation. This is your ability to perform certain activities.
For instance, how much can you lift, how long can you walk and stand, how long can you sit, any limitations on handling and reaching.
Administrative Law Judges often use this information, at least in part, as a basis for their disability decision.
That is why it is important to go to your own doctor often and explain all your problems.
If you do not do this you may be stuck with the opinion of the disability doctor who saw you for 10 minutes.
Questions about your disability case? Feel free to call Illinois Social Security Disability attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.
Is Work Comp Open Medical Worth It?
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.
New Social Security Ruling About Appeals
Social Security has issued a new rule regarding appeals in early August 2011.
You must choose between appealing an unfavorable Administrative Law Judge disability denial to the Appeals Council, or filing a new application.
Before you could both appeal and reapply at the same time.
I would advise most people to do both. This kept your shot at back benefits alive, and started your new application as soon as possible.
Now you must decide what gives you the best chance at winning.
It is pretty difficult to win outright at the Appeals Council level, so you may want to skip it and reapply.
A new application usually gets reviewed faster because the case has been worked up for trial.
However, you must make sure that your date of last insurance allows you to file a new application.
This ruling makes an already complicated area of the law, Social Security Disability, even more complicated.
Questions about your Social Security Disability case? Feel free to call Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.