Settlements

A wage differential is when your injury keeps you from working your old job, and the only work you can perform pays you at a lower rate.

The old law paid you the difference between the old and new job times 66 percent for the rest of your life.

Depending on your age and the wage difference this could amount to a large amount of money over your lifetime.

The new law provides that for injuries on or after September 1, 2011 you are only entitled to the wage differential until you reach age 67 or 5 years after the award becomes final, whichever is later.

This will result in lower settlements and awards.

The new law in Illinois allows the employer to establish a Preferred Provider Program.

The PPP must be in place and approved at the time of injury.

The injured worker must be informed of the PPP on a specific form.

The injured worker has 2 choices of doctors within the network.

If the Workers’ Compensation Commission finds the second doctor has not provided adequate care, then you may chose a doctor out of network.

The injured worker may opt out of the PPP at any time but it constitutes a choice of one doctor.

Non-emergency treatment prior to the report of injury counts as the choice of 1 doctor.

You are still limited to the choice of 2 doctors.