Workers’ comp cases can take quite a long time. If this is the first time you’ve filed, you may feel like everyone involved is moving at a snail’s pace. These claims take time and patience, however, as it can be several months or even years before the insurance company reaches a resolution. Here are a few ways to make the process a little faster.
Hire a Lawyer
Having a skilled workers’ compensation attorney on your side is a huge boon to your case. With an attorney on the case, the insurance company will likely pay a little more attention to your case, as you will have a stronger position as the client of a legal advocate. A workers’ comp attorney, particularly one who specializes in this area of law, will also understand the best way to resolve your case as quickly as possible. Likewise, he or she can help you avoid mistakes that can lead to an unnecessary delay. Insurance companies are also more likely to negotiate with you to avoid litigation, which might work in your favor.
Avoid Rescheduling
A workers’ comp case will require consultations with a huge number of people. Whether you’ve scheduled a medical exam, mediation, depositions, or other events, each person will have a different schedule you will need to work with. Attorneys and insurance companies will also plan events based on their own time constraints. This restriction can be incredibly frustrating if the dates and times are inconvenient to you; however, rescheduling appointments can also lead to a further delay. Doctors, for example, can sometimes be booked for a month in advance, meaning you will have to wait a month or more for another appointment if you make a last-minute cancellation. Try to arrange your schedule so you can attend all meetings and events at the time they are initially set.
Consider Settlement Offers
Cases that settle are usually resolved much faster than cases that proceed to a hearing or trial. If you have an attorney, he or she should be informing you of settlement offers as they come in. However, if your attorney is handling several other cases, you will have to be the one to check in with your advocate regularly. If the insurance company hasn’t yet made a settlement, it doesn’t mean they aren’t interested in negotiating. In some cases, insurance companies will wait until an upcoming deadline before scheduling an event in the hope you will give up and drop the case.
Compromise
While you shouldn’t allow yourself to be lowballed by the insurance company, you should also not hold out for an unreasonable settlement or award. Doing so can put your case in a holding pattern. Your attorney can let you know how much your case is worth and what you realistically can expect to receive from a settlement. If you don’t have a lawyer, you can consult with one to find out this information. A skilled attorney can indicate the strengths and weakness of your case, inform you of how similar cases have been settled in the past, and advise you on what a good settlement amount might be. Once you have an idea of what your case might be worth, you can make a more well-informed decision regarding how much you’re willing to compromise.
Keep Updated
Make sure you’re checking in with your lawyer on the progress of your case on a regular basis. If your attorney asks you for documents or information, deliver them as soon as you possibly can. If you haven’t heard from your lawyer in a while, call for an update and ask what you can do to move your case along. If you’re not satisfied with how your lawyer is performing, consider hiring another attorney.
If you’ve been injured at work and are having a hard time getting benefits, don’t hesitate to call us. Leonard Law Group has represented more than 7,750 injured clients and has successfully won more than $250 million in settlements and verdicts for those clients. Let us see what we can do for you.
Contact our Chicago workers’ compensation attorneys by calling us at (312) 487-2513 or filling out our online form today.