Going to and Illinois work comp trial? Better have a prepared attorney.
This was passed on from another workers' compensation lawyer we know:
So I was watching a trial the other day and thought of you. The petitioner's attorney had what seemed to be a great case. Operated ACL injury with a disputed TTD period and a question as to whether or not there was an intervening accident that made it worse. Client missed about two months from work for which he wasn't paid. His lawyer made an opening statement asking for the TTD benefits, but not once did he ask his client if he actually missed any time from work. We all know the system favors injured workers, but this was the most lazy, unprepared lawyering I've seen in a while. Even if the medical records say he was authorized off work, how can you not actually ask your client if they missed work? The guy was a white collar worker with a good wage so this will probably cost him around $8,000.
We have never finished a trial in which we didn't look back and think that there was a question we wish we would have asked. But we've never looked back and forgotten to ask a material question like "did you miss any time from work?"
There are a lot of great workers' compensation attorneys in Illinois. Most are really prepared before they go to trial. But there are some that don't go over testimony with their client ahead of time, are always shuffling through papers during the trial and give you the impression that they haven't actually reviewed their client's medical records.
If you are going through an Illinois workers' compensation trial, if your attorney doesn't ask to review your testimony ahead of time, consider it a very bad sign.
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.
