Legal Question in Personal Injury in Illinois

Re: injury work related

QUESTION:

i was at work using the company ladder and it sliped under my feet i fell on top of the ladder and broke my arm i was offered 23,000 dont know what to settle for

ANSWER:

Which bone was broken?

Was there a surgery?

If so, what kind?

Was there a cast?

Any screws/pins/rods used?

What is your current work status?

Do you have any restrictions?

What is your range of motion?

Was it your dominant arm?

Any deformity in healing?

How long were you off of work?

Did you return to your prior job?

What is your average weekly wage?

What was your average weekly wage prior to the accident?

If you provide that information, I will be able to answer the question.

As a general rule the insurance company will offer you about 60%-70% of the fair value of the injury if you do not have an attorney.

Which means if you did have an attorney - even after you paid that attorney's fees (my office charges 20%) you would have more money in your pocket than if you did NOT have an attorney.

The insurance company knows that if you do not accept the offer, there is very little you can do to force them to pay the appropriate amount to compensate you for your permanent injury.

Keep me posted,

Matt Belcher

Re: injury work related

I would suggest that you consult with an Illinois atorney who is experienced in worker's compensation law.

Re: injury work related

In Illinois, worker's compensation settlements are based on the "percentage of a man" you are disabled as a result of the injury times your wage. It is a complicated formula which only an experienced worker's compensation attorney should handle. It is impossible to answer your question without more facts.

Re: injury work related

I agree with the information that Mr. Ferris and Mr. Belcher have provided to you and encourage you to find a well respected workers compensation attorney.

In addtion to the information and questions that they have provided, was there something wrong with the ladder that caused it to slip? If not the ladder, was there anything about the surface that the ladder was on that may have caused the slip. The reason why I ask is that you may have a claim agaisnt the ladder manufacturer or the owne of the premises if the owner is not your employer. That claim would be in addition to the workers compensation claim.

Good luck,

Burton Padove

Licensed in Illinois and Indiana