Workers Compensation Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois Work Injury Attorney

A caller who was taken advantage of by an attorney called us recently, very upset.  He had a shoulder surgery and because his wage was low, the settlement amount he was offered - which his attorney recommended he take - was not that high.  He called us wanting to know what we thought was fair.

It's almost impossible to give a good valuation without seeing medical records, but that's not why I am writing this post.  During the conversation it was revealed that the reason the client was upset with the offer is because his attorney told him when he first signed up that he was shooting for a settlement of around $1.2 million!!!

Now if you aren't that familiar with Illinois workers' compensation laws, you might not know that in even the most serious, life altering situations, a case is not worth near that much money.  We obtained the highest settlement that we have ever seen at the Workers' Compensation Commission and that was for $800,000 for a young, permanently disabled client.   Most cases where the worker makes a good recovery go for somewhere in the five figures and some others where the injury is major or the recovery isn't good go in the low to mid six figures.

For a lawyer to tell his client to expect over $1 million on a case where the client is going to be returning to his normal job is just scummy and an example of why lawyers have a bad name.  If you went to me about handling your case and I estimated it was worth $50,000 and another lawyer estimated $1,000,000, you'd probably hire the other guy.  But if it seems too good to be true then it probably is.  Now this other lawyer is facing an ethical violations report and the client is pissed. 

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.

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That is the number one question that we get.  The short answer is that there is no way to tell you for sure without reviewing your medical records.  We can usually give a likely range by asking you a few questions, but if you are interested in knowing the maximum that could be expected, a records review is needed.

In the bigger picture, that question is often asked at the wrong time.  Specifically, right after you get injured you shouldn't be thinking about a settlement.   While you are under a doctor's care for the injury, you shouldn't be thinking about a settlement.  If you are in vocational rehabilitation because your employer has no job for you, you shouldn't be thinking about a settlement.

It's understandable that you would want to know what your case might be worth, but it's not realistic.  If you can't return to work at the same job, but can work a new job for similar pay, your case is worth less than if you can't work the same job and now have a big wage loss compared to your old job. 

If you are still getting medical treatment you may have future medical care as a goal and that could affect what the case is worth or whether or not you go to trial.

By settling when you are getting treatment you risk your health and there is of course nothing more important than that.

Finally, the insurance company does not have to make a settlement offer to you, but if you formally file a case with a lawyer and your case is legit, a settlement will happen.  And FYI, we have never seen a situation where someone ends up with less money through a good Illinois work comp attorney than they could have gotten on their own.

 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.

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