Workers Compensation

Highest Value Workers’ Compensation Cases- Knees

Dirk May Workers Compensation ,

Last week we discussed shoulder injuries.

Another area of large settlements in Illinois Workers’ Compensation cases involve knee injuries.

One reason is that the law values the knee as part of the person as a whole worth a total of 215 weeks.

This is  a large amount of total weeks for a major body part.

The knee is vital to being able to work, of course, because it impacts activities such as walking, standing, and lifting.

Many knee injuries result in surgery.

Surgeries increase the value of your case.

Knees are often difficult to repair and result in arthritis and potentially require knee replacements in later years.

Permanent limitations in lifting, standing and walking will also increase the value of your settlement.

Questions about your work injury and the value of your case? Feel free to contact Illinois Work Comp Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Highest Value Workers’ Compensation Injuries

Dirk May Workers Compensation ,

Some of the biggest settlements in Illinois Workers’ Compensation cases involve back injuries.

One reason is that the law values the back at 500 total weeks.

This is the largest amount of total weeks for any body part.

The back is vital to being able to work, of course, because it impacts activities such as walking, lifting, standing and sitting.

Many back injuries result in surgery.

Surgeries increase the value of your case.

Permanent limitations in lifting, standing, walking and lifting will also increase the value of your settlement.

Questions about your work injury and the value of your case? Feel free to contact Illinois Work Comp Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

 

What A Work Comp Settlement Looks Like

Dirk May Help, Workers Compensation ,

Illinois does pay a set amount for specific work injuries.

Instead Illinois leaves it up to the Arbitrator to decide what is the value of the injury.

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Law, and the cases that have been resolved over the years  guide how the injury is valued.

The average weekly wage has a big impact on how much you can recover.

Here are some examples.

Case 1. If you made $1000 a week and had a back injury that resulted in a disc herniation, but no surgery. The law says that you take 60 percent of your average weekly wage of $1000. That is $600. Disc herniations may pay from 7 to 10 percent of a person (500 total weeks for a back). The law says this is worth 35 weeks to 50 weeks. The value is between $21,000 to $30,000.

Case 2. Same wage, but a surgery is necessary to repair the disc herniation. This may result in a 15 percent rating. 75 weeks times $600 results in $45,000.

Case 3. The person only makes $500 a week. This cuts the figures in half. $10, 500 to $15,000 for disc herniation. Surgical back is only worth $22,500.

As you can see your wage makes a big difference in the settlement.

Surgery also increases the value.

Permanent restrictions will have a larger impact on value.

This simple example shows that the process is complicated.

Make sure that you get experienced help.

Feel free to contact Illinois Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

 

Police Officer who was Shot goes into Rehab

Dirk May Illinois, In the news, Workers Compensation ,

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/arnold-police-officer-who-was-shot-in-head-last-month/article_c7bf5aec-c842-57c8-a8a0-68f83fa60bc5.html

Illinois Workers’ Compensation law provides that the insurance company must pay for related medical treatment. This would include rehabilitation treatment.

Do Not Let These Bad Examples Ruin Your Injury Case

Dirk May Help, Workers Compensation , , ,

You do not want to tank your work injury or motor vehicle injury case with your own thoughtless acts.

Do not follow the example of the person who was hurt on the job, but failed to go to the doctor for over 6 months and did not tell the doctor he was injured at work.

It is not enough to tell your work that you were injured, and then not seek immediate medical care.

The insurance company and ultimately the Judge will look at delay in medical treatment as meaning it is not related to the original accident.

If the treatment is not related, then no medical bills will be paid and a minimal amount will be paid for the original injury.

Do not follow the example of the lady who treats with her doctor shortly after her injury, and does not tell the doctor that she was injured at work or in a motor vehicle collision.

Insurance companies and Judges review medical records closely for histories explaining when, where and how the injuries occurred.

If you do not have medical records that note the details of the accident, then you will most likely lose your case.

Questions about how to maximize the value of your injury case? Feel free to contact Illinois Work Injury and Motor Vehicle Injury Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.