Legal Question in Workers Comp in Illinois
$mall $ettlement
March 2005, I was doing my job as an auto mechanic and because of another mechanic ''helping,'' accidently injected grease from high pressure hose into my hand. Didn't think too much of it at the time, but 3 days later when to ER and found that I needed emergency surgery to evacuate and scrape the grease from tendons and nerves or could have possibly lost my hand. Had the surgery, hospitalized 4 days and was off work for one month. All bills were paid by W/C carrier and time off. Just received call from agent offering $618.00 for settlement. I realize I only made $12.00 per hour at the time as full time and I'm not looking to get rich, but $618.00 does not sound like a fair settlement for having half my hand openend up, scraped and put back together. The insurance company is based out of New York and I'm in Illinois. Could this be a reason? Hope someone can help. Thank you.
4 Answers from Attorneys
Re: $mall $ettlement
You'll have to call me for more details in order to help you. Call 3129131900 in Chicago.
Re: $mall $ettlement
DEAR SIRS:
WE CAN HELP. UNDER ILLINOIS WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION LAW, YOU ARE ENTITLED TO A LUMP SUM SETTLEMENT BASED ON THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF YOUR INJURY.
IF YOU HAVE A SCAR, YOU ALSO RECEIVE COMPENSATION FOR THIS AS WELL.
PLEASE GIVE US A CALL TO DISCUSS: (312) 977--9900.
MANY THANKS.
JOHN
LAW OFFICES
JOHN C. WUNSCH, P.C.
WWW.WUNSCHLAW.COM
(312) 977--9900
FEBRUARY 7, 2006
Re: $mall $ettlement
You should be entitled to receive a permenant partial disability settlement based upon the degree of residual problems with your hand following the surgery. The medical records and your surgeons opinion as to disability will be very important. It would certainly seem that the offer is much lower than it should be under these circumstances. Schedule an appointment with an attorney to review your claim as soon as possible. You will not be taken seriously without an attorney.
Re: $mall $ettlement
$618 is peanuts. The myth is that if you work hard and you pay your taxes and you are in general an honest person that people will treat you with respect and you get what you deserve. Well, it ain't so. The insurance adjuster is not your friend and in fact he makes a bonus that is proportional to the amount he undercuts your claim. That is his job. He is a soldier without a conscience and in with total loyalty to the hands that feed him... and it ain't you.
Your settlement amount is directly related to your wages, the nature and extent of your injury, and what sort of permanency your doctor says you have. All that must be taken into account to come up with a number.
You can only gain if you talked to an attorney in order to go over the records. Without an attorney you are a seating dock and the adjuster is there to play to his heart's content. You don't stand a chance...
I hope this helps,
Taradji Law Offices
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