Workers Compensation Commission

New Illinois State Budget and Work Comp Settlements

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

The State of Illinois just passed a budget on July 15, 2009. The budget will result in a number of cuts throughout State Government and to Social Services Agencies.

People who work for the State of Illinois and who are injured will be paid their Workers’ Compensation but will have to continue to wait a long time.

Currently, it takes over 180 days to receive your settlement money. That is right almost 6 months wait time.

Most other settlements are paid out in 4 to 6 weeks.

It really is ridiculous. However, the State of Illinois makes vendors and injured workers wait a great deal of time to get paid.

Questions about Work Comp and what the State of Illinois must do for you as an injured State Worker? Call me, Illinois Workers Compensation Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Changing Lawyers

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

It appears that in Illinois there are more than a few injured workers who change their lawyers.

My take on this is that it is better to stick with your first lawyer because changing your lawyer delays your case. Your goal, of course, should be to settle for a fair amount in a timely manner.

You may have to change lawyers if they will not talk to you, or they refuse to take the case to trial if you tell them that is what you want.

However, most problems can be worked out if you are willing to talk with each other. Remember, both the lawyer and the injured worker want a fair settlement. It usually boils down to communication. If you can talk with each other, most issues can be resolved short of starting over.

What is an IME?

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

In Illinois, the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Company uses an Independent Medical Exam to support its cases against you.

Do you have to go to the exam?

Do you have to go to more than one exam?

Yes, the Illinois Workers Compensation Law requires you to go to the IME exam. If you do not go, then the insurance company has grounds to stop paying you. Or your case could be denied if you refuse to go.

If the IME doctor agrees that your injury is work related, then the insurance company will usually settle with you.

If the IME doctor says your injury is not work related, then you are most likely in for a fight.

More questions about what the Work Comp insurance company is doing to you? Call me, Illinois Work Comp lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Insurance Companies and Settlements

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

The bad economy affects everything, even Illinois Workers’ Compensation settlements.

Insurance Companies are losing money just like lots of other businesses. They want to keep down the amounts they pay out for Workers’ Compensation settlements.

Taking the first offer the insurance company makes definitely plays into their hands.

Understanding your injury, restrictions, and possible future medical needs is very important.

The insurance company motivation is to close out your case. When you settle your case the insurance company knows exactly how much they must pay in medical expenses.

You can use the need for additional medical expenses as leverage against the insurance company.

Questions about other ways to increase your settlement, Call Illinois Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

The Most Important thing to Know about Work Comp?

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

The most important thing to remember about Workers’ Compensation in Illinois is to tell your doctor how you got hurt on the job.

If you do not tell the doctor or medical provider you were hurt on the job, then you will most likely lose your case and not receive a Work Comp settlement.

The Workers Compensation insurance company and the Arbitrator look very closely at what appears in your medical records. If you tell your doctor that you fell over a box at work and twisted your knee and felt immediate pain, then it will show up in the records.

If you do not tell the doctor anything, then most Arbitrators and Work Comp companies will assume that you did not get hurt at work.

Why? The injured worker must prove everything. The only way to prove accident is through the medical records close to the time of the injury, an eyewitness, or an accident report completed the same day or close to the accident date.

Questions about proving your Illinois Workers Comp claim? Feel free to call me, Attorney Dirk May, at 309-827-4371.