Settlements

They Offered What? Illinois Worker’ Compensation Horror Stories

Dirk May Help, Settlements, Workers Compensation, Your questions

Illinois Workers’ Compensation is under attack by the Governor.

The decision makers are aware of this, and they are being very cautious.

This means that Arbitrators and Commissioners are being conservative with their awards, decisions, and recommendations.

Insurance companies are well aware of this and making very low offers.

This does not mean that the offers are proper, however.

Be very careful before you agree to any insurance company offer and settle your case.

Make sure that you speak with an experienced Illinois Work Comp lawyer before you agree to anything with an insurance company.

It does not cost you anything to speak with an Illinois Work Comp lawyer.

Questions about your work injury? Feel free to contact Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Advantages of Settling Your Work Comp Case

Dirk May Help, Settlements, Workers Compensation

In Illinois here are some good reasons to settle your workers’ compensation case.

The biggest advantage is that you get your money faster than when you have a trial.

After you sign settlement contracts and the contracts are approved, you typically get paid in 4 weeks.

Trials take longer because you have to get all the evidence together and take depositions of the doctors and either side can appeal the Arbitrator’s decision.

Another advantage of a settlement is that you know what you are getting. It is all outlined in the contract, including the amount of money you receive.

When you have a trial the Arbitrator decides the value of your case. Any offers are off the table and you may receive more than the offer or less.

A disadvantage to settlement is that your case is over, and any future medical treatment is your responsibility.

If you win at trial it at least gives you the possibility of future medical. However, it may require another trial some time down the road.

If you receive a fair offer and do not believe you will need future medical treatment, then settlement may be best for you.

Questions about the value of your case? Feel free to contact Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

What Happens When You Get Hurt in Illinois

Dirk May Help, Illinois, Illinois Work Comp Attorney, Illinois Work Comp Lawyer, Settlements, Workers Compensation, Workers Compensation Commission

Illinois Workers’ Compensation Law provides that you are entitled to 3 basic rights when you are injured on the job.

The first right is payment of your related medical bills.

The second right is payment of two-thirds of your average weekly wage for the time you miss work as a result of your work injury.

The third right is payment of a settlement once you have recovered from your injury.

Many insurance companies fail to tell injured workers of their right to a settlement.

Do not miss out on your settlement.

Make sure that you talk with an experienced Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney to get a fair settlement.

It does not cost you anything to talk with a lawyer. A fee is only paid at the time you are paid your money.

Many Illinois Workers’ Compensation insurance companies take advantage of people’s ignorance and hope they walk away without claiming their money.

Call Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371 to make sure that you get the settlement you deserve.

Work Comp Alert

Dirk May Help, Illinois Work Comp Attorney, Illinois Work Comp Lawyer, Law, Settlements, Workers Compensation, Workers Compensation Commission

Just this week I have seen another person who was denied a Workers’ Compensation settlement.

Illinois law provides that an injured worker is entitled to payment of medical bills, pay for time off work, and payment for the injury itself.

What many Workers’ Compensation insurance companies will do is pay for the medical bills and for the missed time from work, but neglect to pay the settlement.

The insurance company bets on the injured worker not knowing enough to ask for the settlement, or taking the first offer the insurance company makes.

Do not be this person.

Make sure that you get all the rights provided to you pursuant to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act.

You can consult with an experienced Illinois Work Comp lawyer for free.

Make sure that you understand what the insurance company is doing to you.

You can lose your settlement if you do not act soon enough.

Feel free to contact Illinois Work Comp Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371 to help you get the settlement that you are entitled to.

Looking for a Job and Work Comp

Dirk May Help, Illinois Work Comp Attorney, Illinois Work Comp Lawyer, Jobs, Law, Settlements, Workers Compensation, Workers Compensation Commission

In Illinois, in almost all cases you have to undergo a job search to prove you are entitled to a wage differential settlement.

A wage differential means that your work injury results in permanent restrictions that will prevent you from performing your old job.

If you made $21 per hour in your old job and have to take a new job that pays $14 per hour, then you are entitled to 66% of the $7 per hour wage difference.

The only way to prove the value of the wage differential is to find a job that fits your restrictions.

You can find the job on your own or with the assistance of a vocational consultant. Some insurance companies will agree to pay for a person to help you put a resume together and provide you with interview tips and job search ideas. You must ask the insurance company to help you with the job search. If the insurance company agrees to do this it will pay you while you search for the job. You can also force the insurance company to provide you with job search assistance.

Sometimes a insurance company will complain if the job you find is too low paying. It will argue that you have the ability to find a higher paying job based on your restrictions and abilities.

The important thing is to make sure that the Work Comp insurance company provides you with help and pays you while you search for the job.

A wage difference case may add great value to your Workers’ Compensation settlement because it takes into account your earning loss over many years.

Questions about your work injury. Feel free to contact Illinois Work Comp Attorney Dirk May at309-827-4371.