Why insurance companies do crazy things
Insurance companies don't always do the wrong thing, but they make money often by doing the right thing. Smart people run these billion dollar organizations and they have done studies of ways to discourage claimants and lawyers. For example, if you are in a car accident and have minor injuries, many insurance companies will pay nothing to you even if you clearly weren't at fault. They realized that lawyers don't want to take these small cases to trial and that by frustrating everyone, they win by often doing the wrong thing.
In workers compensation in Illinois, it's not uncommon for an insurance company to tell you that your medical benefits are denied because an injury is pre-existing. Worst case scenario for the insurance company is that you get a lawyer and they end up having to pay what they actually owe. Best case scenario is that one out of ten people give up and ignore their case.
Recently a 50 year old janitor who had back surgery 10 years ago was hurt on the job when he slipped on a wet floor. He re-injured his back and his doctor says he needs a new surgery. His daughter came to us for help because her Dad had given up and assumed that the insurance company decision was final.
As John Belushi said in Animal House, "Nothing is over until we say it is." If the actions of the insurance company seem unreasonable, don't let it worry you. There is a method to their madness which fortunately can be countered.
We are workers' compensation attorneys that help people with Illinois work injuries anywhere in IL via our statewide network of attorneys. Contact us and we will answer your questions or find the right lawyer for your situation.
