How long should an Illinois workers' compensation claim take?
A reader told us about
I currently have a workers comp attorney but I have been waiting
almost 8 months to see the specialist to get this chromosome shot.When I call him the office takes at least 1 week to return my e-mail
or call. If they will even return my call or e-mail. I have sent him
the referral letters from both doctors per his request as well as
physician notes for me to see this specialist to get the cortisone shot. Does the legal system take this long or am I just a number in my
attorney's case load? When I call they have no idea who I am, I know
they have 75 clients but my last name is really easy to remember since
it's kind of a funny name. I just want to get the shot, get well, and
close this chapter of my life. However, I want to make sure that I
don't have to pay any of my money for the medical bills related to my
work injury. Is this treatment typical in the legal system?
There is no set time for how long a case should take, but what is happening to this worker is wrong and not normal. It's especially bad that his lawyer takes a week or so to respond to a call or e-mail. I actually love e-mailing with clients because it allows for me to help them right away without disrupting anything else that is going on.
If you are injured and not able to get medical treatment, it shouldn't take more than 2-5 months to get before an Arbitrator, especially if you have all of the necessary information. And quite honestly, more than half of the time just having that info will solve the problem.
This case seems like the worst lazy and indifferent lawyering around. I encourage people to work things out with their attorney when they can, but this is clearly a matter where that ship has sailed and this poor guy should find a new attorney, one that will fight for him.
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.
