Illinois law requires that nearly all employers carry workers’ compensation coverage. Employees hurt on the job or diagnosed with illnesses caused by their work may be eligible for the medical coverage and disability benefits provided by workers’ comp.
Employees may find the claims process overwhelming, especially while dealing with financial stress and pain caused by their medical conditions. If the insurance professional managing the claim offers a settlement, the worker may rush to accept the offer – only to realize weeks later that the compensation they received is not adequate given the total losses they suffered. Unfortunately, accepting a settlement prematurely can cause lasting issues for the injured employee.
Settlements often end benefits eligibility
Frequently, a workers’ comp settlement indemnifies the insurance company as well as the employer from any future liability. While the worker is still in treatment for their condition, the long-term financial impact of their injuries may be hard for them to accurately estimate.
Insurance professionals often count on people undervaluing their long-term losses and accepting a low settlement. After agreeing to the settlement, the worker may no longer be eligible for continued medical benefits or additional disability pay. A premature settlement could deprive them of the compensation they truly deserve — especially in cases where a worker reaches maximum medical improvement (MMI) instead of making a full recovery.
How much compensation is appropriate?
When a worker has permanent functional limitations caused by a job injury, workers’ comp may offer them lump-sum or weekly permanent partial disability benefits, depending on the circumstances. Workers may need help obtaining an accurate disability evaluation that reflects the long-term impact their condition has on their ability to work. They may be forever subject to restrictions that limit their future earning potential.
An experienced Illinois workers’ comp attorney can help evaluate a settlement offer. They can recognize when it may be too early to agree to waive future claims for medical care or limit the disability benefits the worker receives. They can also help identify and avoid common insurance tactics intended to protect the company at the expense of the injured employee, manage most of the paperwork and help optimize the benefits received.