We are Chicago work comp attorneys who will talk to anyone for free about Illinois workers compensation laws and their cases. You can call us any time at 312-346-5578 for help anywhere in Illinois.
Many of the posts we write are based off of great questions we get from people. Here are some good questions from the last few months:
Can I relocate out of state during vocational rehab?
Yes, but if you get a low paying job in another state because you can’t earn as much there as you could in Illinois, it might change your settlement value a bit. But many people we have helped over the years have moved out of state to be by family, have a support system or many other reasons.
What does it mean when a respondent files a request for hearing?
The respondent is your employer. When the attorney for their insurance company files a request for hearing, it means they are asking for a trial date. This often happens when the attorney for the worker isn’t moving the case along.
Can I get a finder’s fee if I refer my friend to you who was injured on the job?
NO!!! This is illegal. I get asked this once every few months. If you don’t have a law license, you can’t share in attorney fees. I’ve heard rumors of some shady law firms doing this. It’s gross and reflects that they don’t really care about doing things the right way or the best interests of their clients. If someone asks us to do this we simply hang up.
Is there a distance limit for how far I have to travel for the IME?
There isn’t. That said, the insurance company has to pay your travel expenses and that would in some cases include hiring a driver for you if you can’t drive long distances. This happens a lot with downstate workers who get sent to Chicago area doctors for the IME. Sometimes it’s because the injury is so specialized and other times it’s because the doctor is a hired gun and the insurance company knows he/she will say what they want.
I was wondering your opinion. My case went to a 19(b) trial. We got everything we asked for. My lawyer sent me a copy of the decision and said there’s a 30 day time limit to appeal. He didn’t say anything else. Shouldn’t he tell me more?
This sounds like a case of a good attorney who is terrible at communicating. We see that a lot. Your lawyer won’t appeal because you won. There’s nothing for you to appeal. What he should have made clear is that the other side has up to 30 days to file an appeal. He can either contact them now to see if they will appeal or do nothing and then contact them after the 30 days are up. The right approach depends on the facts of your case. For example, if you were awarded a surgery, he could call them now to try to get help in getting it scheduled.
What does not ready for permanency mean in Illinois work comp?
It means that the case isn’t ready to settle yet. Permanency is a term used when calculating your settlement amount. The level of permanency depends on how well you recovered. We won’t know that until you are done with your treatment and back to work or it’s been determined you can’t work ever again or at the old job. It’s just a bunch of legal jargon really, but the bottom line is that it means it’s too soon to talk settlement.
As always, if you have any legal questions, please get in touch.
