Workers Compensation Commission

What does it cost to hire a Workmans Compensation Lawyer?

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

Everyone wants to know what they will have to pay for a good or service. Especially, what will be the cost for a lawyer.

The good news in Illinois Workers’ Compensation cases is that there are no up front fees.

You do not have to pay a fee to have the lawyer start on your case.

You also do not have to pay hourly fees as your case moves forward.

You only pay 20% of whatever the attorney recovers for you. Usually at the end of the case. However, if the Insurance company denies you benefits and the lawyer gets them to pay temporary total disability benefits while you are off work then the lawyer can charge you 20% of those payments also.

The lawyer will often pay all your costs-medical records, depositions- for you upfront. You will pay for the costs from your settlement.

This makes it easier for you to hire a lawyer to protect your rights.

Paying 20% of your settlement or award is usually well worth it to make sure you get the correct amount, and to make certain you get future medical treatment if necessary.

Questions about using a lawyer? Please call Workers’ Compensation Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Need Workers Comp Prescriptions?

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

Sometimes the Work Comp Insurance Company will refuse to pay for work injury related prescriptions, or delay in approving payment.

The options for the injured worker are to pay out of pocket or pay the co-pay, go without, or go to court.

Going to court takes too long in the cases of prescriptions.

Paying the co-pay or out of pocket can become expensive.

Another possibility is to have a third party pay for the prescriptions and they will be repaid at the end of the case.

I have had success with a vendor who will provide 24 to 48 hour delivery service to my clients.

Should you find yourself in the situation of needing a Work Comp prescription without upfront payment please give me, Attorney Dirk May, a call at 309-827-4371.

Unable to Keep Working?

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

What if you cannot work again after your Work accident?

In Illinois Work Comp Law, you may be able to get a lifetime check if you can prove you are unable to work again as a result of your work injury.

It is not enough to prove you cannot do your old job. You must show you are not able to do any job.

You can do this through your medical records and your doctor’s opinion that you unable to work and your work injury caused your inability to work.

You may also need to undergo a job search to show that your restrictions, education, work history, and age keep you from being able to work. The job search is something that will take time. You have to make multiple weekly applications for jobs over an extended period of time.

You should also request the insurance company provide you with vocational assistance, which means help finding a job, because they will have to pay someone to help you in a job search.

Questions about job searches and inability to work, call Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Attorney Fees in Work Comp

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

In Illinois, all Workers’ Compensation attorney fees are based on a contingent fee. This means that you only pay the lawyer if you recover money. The fee in Illinois is 20 percent of your recovery.

In some type of court cases the other side must pay your attorney fees. However, in Workers Compensation cases you must pay your attorneys fees out of your settlement or award.

In addition, you must your own costs out of your settlement. For example, you have to pay for medical records and for doctor’s depositions and for court transcripts. These are usually paid at the end of the case.

The good part of the contingent fees system is you do not have to pay any fees up front when you are injured and not working. Contingent fees give the attorneys the incentive to settle the case because they want to be paid the highest amount possible.

Questions about attorney fees and costs please call Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371

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.