Settlements

Why won’t they Pay me?

Dirk May Help, Insurance, Medical, Settlements, Workers Compensation, Workers Compensation Commission

The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Company does not want to pay you when you are off work. It costs them money, and they are afraid you will never get back to work.

There are several reasons the Work Comp Company gives for not paying:

* the accident did not happen at work;

* there was no accident;

* your condition was not caused by the accident;

* you are at maximum medical improvement.

Usually the insurance company will send you to their doctor to get an opinion that favors them and supports their position that you can return to work or your injury is not related to the work accident.

If you are not being paid Workers’ Compensation please call Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

What happens to my settlement if my company goes under?

Dirk May Help, Insurance, Law, Medical, Settlements, Workers Compensation, Workers Compensation Commission

With this bad economy it is an important question to ask. If you have been hurt on the job and your company goes out of business what will happen to your Workers’ Compensation claim?

In Illinois at least, you are protected in several ways.

Almost all business must have Workers Compensation insurance. If the business closes, the Workers’ Comp insurance company still stands in its place, and you are protected.

What if the insurance company goes bankrupt. Illinois law provides for a special fund to take care of injured workers in that case.

What if your company was self-insured? This means they take care of their own claims. Illinois has another special fund that handles these situations.

If your company did something illegal and did not have Workers Comp insurance, then you have some difficulties. There is a fund that exists that is supposed to help you out, but it takes a long time to pay out and it involves a difficult process.

Should you fall into any of these situations, please call me, Dirk May at 309-827-4371, to discuss.

What if the Workers Comp Insurance Company will not Settle?

Dirk May Help, Law, Settlements, Workers Compensation, Workers Compensation Commission

What if your Insurance Company refuses to offer you a settlement for your work injury?

In Illinois, your choices are to give up, or take your case to trial.

As the injured worker you must prove all parts of your case to win. This means you must prove the accident happened, you must prove what medical treatment you received, that the treatment is related to your injury, the amount of your medical bills, and the nature and extent of your injuries.

You can represent yourself, however, the insurance company will have an attorney who will represent them at trial.

Have you been denied a settlement, or been given a low offer? Call me, Attorney Dirk May, at 309-827-4371 to discuss your case.

Pre-Existing Problems and Workers Comp

Dirk May Help, Insurance, Law, Medical, Settlements, Workers Compensation

What if you have had back problems before your Work injury? Does it matter?

In Illinois, all you have to prove is that your work injury aggravated your condition. The fact that you had a pre-existing condition or problem does not prevent you from recovering under the Workers’ Compensation Law.

This means you are entitled to have your medical treatment paid, time off work paid and a settlement or award for permanent partial disability.

Please call me if you have any questions about your Workmans Comp injury. Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Should I file a Workmans Comp Claim?

Dirk May Help, Insurance, Law, Settlements, Workers Compensation, Workers Compensation Commission

The economy is bad. Jobs are hard to find and keep. What if I get hurt at work? Should I file a Workers Comp Claim?

These are real questions, that express real concerns. In Illinois you can be fired for almost any reason or no reason at all, in most cases.

Illinois does have a law that makes it unlawful to discriminate against someone who files a Workers’ Compensation claim. However, the only way to enforce the law is to file a civil court case.

The other factor that helps in Workers’ Compensation cases is that usually an insurance company stands in the place of your employer. So it is different from suing your employer directly.

The bottom line is that if you are injured at work and your employer or its insurance company is denying your claim, then the only way to get your medical treatment or off work pay or settlement is to file a claim.

Have questions? Call Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.