Settlements

You cannot settle your Workers’ Compensation case in Illinois until you have reached Maximum Medical Improvement “MMI”.

Maximum Medical Improvement is when you are as good as you are going to get.

This may take some time. For example, you may a surgery and need physical therapy. The doctor may then want to do a second surgery. There is no magic time limit in Illinois Work Comp law when you must settle.

Sometimes the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Company will stop paying you temporary total disability to force you to settle.

If they stop paying you, then you must go to trial to force the insurance company to turn on your payments again.

Long term medical treatment is stressful. However, the Arbitrator needs to know what your permanent condition and restrictions are before she can rule on the value of your case.

Questions about your medical treatment and how it effects your settlement? Feel free to contact Illinois Work Comp Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Workman’s Compensation Insurance Companies in Illinois often do not want to pay for medical treatment, including prescriptions.

Why not?

The Insurance Companies know that small dollar treatment is a pain to  fight over. If they deny treatment or prescriptions the only alternative is to pay for it yourself or go to court.

Going to court will often cost you more than the value of the prescriptions.

However, there are some alternatives.

Some private companies have begun to provide mail order prescriptions directly to the injured worker. They seek payment from the Work Comp insurance  company and at the end of the case.

This makes life much easier for you, and gets your prescription filled promptly.

Questions about getting your Workers’ Compensation prescription filled? Feel free to call Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Someone called the other day with the question “Does the Insurance Company have to give me a settlement offer?”

The Work Comp company does not have to give you a settlement offer.

But you are entitled to a settlement if you are injured on the job.

Workman’s Compensation Companies prey on people’s lack of knowledge. Many people think they are entitled only to medical bills and time off pay.

You are also entitled to a settlement or permanent partial disability pay.

The way you should approach the company is to make an opening demand for you settlement. This places the ball in their court to respond, and makes them respond to your offer.

Questions about settlements and what you should demand? Feel free to call Illinois Workers Comp Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.