Workers Comp Settlement – How to Negotiate a Workers Comp Settlement
If you have been injured at work, you may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. These can include coverage for lost wages and medical expenses.
You may be able to avoid going to court by agreeing to a workers’ comp settlement. However, before you accept a settlement offer, be sure it is enough to cover your losses fully.
Medical bills
The workers’ comp system is set up to pay for lost wages if an employee misses time at work due to a workplace injury. The wages are equal to two-thirds of an injured worker’s average weekly wage. Typically, these benefits are paid on a weekly basis until the employee is physically able to return to work.
Medical bills related to a workplace injury can be expensive and can affect an individual’s financial status in the short term. This is why it’s important to seek medical attention sooner than later.
A dedicated St Louis workers’ compensation attorney can help you receive payment for these expenses. In addition to the costs of treatment, an injured worker can also be entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses incurred in visiting a physician.
While you are not responsible for paying for treatment if your claim is accepted by your insurance carrier, it is still important to make sure all medical bills are received and paid within 60 days of the date they were submitted. Failure to do so can result in penalties.
Lost wages
When you are injured on the job, it is not uncommon for your employer or their workers’ compensation insurance company to try to settle your case without going to court. These settlements are often voluntary for both sides, and they usually include a lump sum payment that covers lost wages as well as medical expenses.
However, you should never accept a settlement offer without first evaluating it with your attorney to ensure that it is fair and will provide for your needs. In addition, not all states allow settlements at every stage of a workers’ comp case.
In addition, a workers’ compensation claim settlement typically does not cover future medical treatments. Depending on your state, this may mean that you have to fight through the Utilization Review process. This is a complicated process that requires the guidance of an attorney who has experience with this area of law.
Pain and suffering
Getting injured on the job is often an extremely painful experience, and it can be a struggle to receive the compensation that is deserved. When you are looking for relief financially after an injury, workers’ compensation is a viable option that can help you cover losses like medical expenses and lost wages.
However, it is important to remember that a workers’ comp settlement in st. Louis is not a guarantee of future payments. This is particularly true if you are receiving a lump-sum settlement.
It is also important to understand that the amount offered in a workers’ comp settlement agreement is typically significantly less than insurers would pay over the course of the claim. This is because they want to protect their bottom line and limit how much they pay out over the life of a claim.
In addition, a worker who is on Medicare or reasonably expects to be a beneficiary of Medicare within 30 months of the settlement must allocate some of the settlement to a Medicare set-aside account. This is used to cover post-settlement medical expenses that are not covered by the insurance company.
Damages
Whether an injured worker accepts or declines a workers’ comp settlement can have serious consequences. The sum recovered must be sufficient to pay for the injury and associated expenses, which can be overwhelming.
Fortunately, there are several ways to ensure that your settlement is enough to cover all of these needs. One of the most common ways to do this is to have an attorney help you calculate the value of your case.
A good attorney will take into account your existing medical expenses, as well as future medical costs that might arise due to your injury. In addition, they will consider your income and household expenses.
The attorneys at Page Law are able to ensure that your workers’ comp settlement adequately addresses all of your needs. Contact us today to learn more about your options and find out if you qualify for a fair settlement. We can also provide you with additional legal support to help you through this process.
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