How To Scare The Insurance Adjuster And Get Workers’ Comp You Deserve

workers comp

The insurance adjuster plays a vital role in any workers’ compensation case. When dealing with the insurance adjuster on your case, it may help to keep the points below in mind so you can get the settlement you deserve. If you were in a workplace accident with injuries, the Cook County workers’ comp attorneys at The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens could maximize your claim benefits.

Understand What The Insurance Adjuster Does

The first way to scare the workers’ comp insurance adjuster is to understand their work. The main job of the adjuster is to determine what they should pay you for your injuries. However, they work for the insurance company, and the less money they pay you, the better for their bottom line.

So, do not be surprised if the adjuster tries to pay you less for your workplace injury than you deserve. One of the reasons many injured parties contact an attorney is to get more benefits for their claim. When they understand that a skilled workers’ comp attorney represents you, they could be more likely to offer more compensation. Having a good attorney in your corner is an excellent way to scare the insurance adjuster, so use that to your advantage.

Provide Them With All The Information They Request

The insurance adjuster wants to see as much as possible about your injuries. So, ensure you complete all of the injury forms your employer requires. They may irritate them and make them harder to work with. When you provide all the information needed to your claims adjuster, they understand you are on top of your claim.

Do Not Negotiate Without Your Attorney

Another effective way to scare the insurance adjuster and get a better result is to let your attorney handle all negotiations. Keep in mind that the adjuster rarely has your best interests at heart. They want to settle your claim for less money, and if you negotiate with them, they will probably feel they can take advantage of you. Your attorney is an experienced workers’ comp negotiator and can better handle compensation discussions with the insurance company.

Do Not Provide Them With A Recorded Statement

If the insurance adjuster wants a recorded statement, providing it is rarely a good idea. If you show them that you will not allow them to record you, it can intimidate them and let them know they are dealing with someone who cannot be bullied.

The insurance adjuster is not your friend, and as an injured worker, you want to do everything possible to get more money for your medical expenses and lost earnings. Remember these guidelines and talk to an attorney if you need legal assistance.

Speak To Our Cook County Workers’ Comp Lawyers Now

If you were hurt in the workplace recently in Cook County, you are probably entitled to worker’s compensation. However, it can be challenging to get the maximum benefits you are entitled to, so please contact our Cook County workers’ comp lawyers at The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C. at (847) 395-2200.

How Bengals Worker’s Comp Proposal Could Impact Pro Athletes

workers' comp

Most workers in Illinois and nationwide qualify for workers’ compensation if they are hurt on the job. However, how is workers’ compensation handled when the injured employee is a professional athlete? Find out more about this complex subject below, then contact our Cook County workers’ comp attorneys at The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens if you need legal help with your workers’ comp claim.

Cincinnati Bengals Owner Tries To Scuttle Workers’ Comp For Pro Athletes

The subject of workers’ comp for professional athletes came to a head recently when the Cincinnati Bengals ownership attempted to insert language into an Ohio legislative bill that would make Ohio professional athletes ineligible for workers’ comp.

A Cleveland TV station reported last month that the bill’s current language states that athletes under contract for professional sports teams cannot receive permanent partial disability. If the bill passes the Ohio legislature, existing players on Ohio professional teams who are still under contract five years after they are hurt cannot file for workers’ compensation.

The bill also states that professional athletes must cover their medical expenses at the amount it is billed. This is more than the lower rate that companies and insurance companies pay under the state’s current workers’ comp laws.

Currently, workers’ compensation expenses for professional football players are paid out of the player portion of the salary cap. The normal workers’ compensation filing allows them to receive medical care in the future after their playing days are over, and they are not being paid because of injury.

Not Every Professional Athlete Is A Millionaire

It is a common belief that most, if not all, professional athletes make millions in their careers, so workers’ comp should not apply to them. However, the NFLPA, the league’s player’s union, which opposes the bill, argues that many professional athletes in the state do not make millions of dollars in their careers. The bill, the NFLPA maintains, also would affect players with longer careers who could not file a workers’ comp claim for an injury that occurred previously if more than five years have passed since the incident.

The language in the bill also would affect professional players for other Ohio teams, news report continues, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Guardians, and Columbus Blue Jackets. Also, the bill would affect workers’ comp for minor league players, such as the Cleveland Charge, Cleveland Monsters, and Akron Rubber Ducks.

NFLPA Fighting The Workers’ Comp Bill

The NFL players’ union is fighting the professed bill’s language to ensure that athletes in Ohio are still eligible for workers’ compensation if they have injuries they suffered while playing. The NFLPA said it is particularly concerned about players receiving long-term medical care for joint replacement and concussion care.

Contact Our Cook County Workers’ Comp Attorneys Today

If you were injured on the job in Illinois, you might be entitled to workers’ compensation, but handling the claim on your own could lead to less in benefits. Work with our Cook County workers’ comp attorneys at The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens at (847) 395-2200.

Can Medical Marijuana Be Used For Pain On Workers’ Comp?

medical marijuana

Cannabis became legal for recreational use in Illinois in 2020 under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. However, state and federal laws on marijuana use continue to evolve. A common question in Illinois is whether you can use medical marijuana for pain while on workers’ comp. Learn about this important matter below. If you have questions about your workers’ comp case, an Antioch workers’ comp lawyer at The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C., can help you today.

Medical Marijuana Use In Illinois For Workers’ Compensation Claim

Some states allow medical marijuana reimbursement. However, Illinois still requires patients to have their physicians verify that they have at least one of 35 conditions to be prescribed medical marijuana. If you have been diagnosed with one of these conditions, you need ‘written certification.’ This means having a document that is dated and signed by a doctor that says you are likely to have comforting or therapeutic benefits from using medical marijuana.

If you successfully get written certification from your doctor, you can use medical marijuana for pain for your job-based injury claims. However, your doctor’s authorization will be necessary no matter how you decide to treat your pain and injury under workers’ comp.

Will Your Employer’s Workers’ Comp Insurer Pay For Medical Marijuana?

The Illinois Compassionate Use Of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act does not explicitly state that a workers’ compensation insurance company in Illinois will cover medical marijuana. However, some legal authorities believe the insurer will be mandated to do so when all requirements in the law are satisfied.

On the other hand, employers might argue that paying for medical marijuana for a worker’s pain is not reasonable or necessary. If your employer does not pay for medical marijuana, you may need to pay for it yourself. Or, you can contact a workers’ comp attorney in Antioch to consider legal action.

Can An Employer Refuse To Employ You In Illinois For Using Medical Marijuana?

Illinois employers are not allowed to discriminate against you for medical cannabis use. Just having a medical marijuana registration card is not a justifiable reason not to employ you. The company may continue enforcing drug policies to promote a drug-free workplace. The policy must be enforced in a non-discriminatory way, though.

There is some gray area in Illinois law regarding the use of medical marijuana during a workers’ comp claim. A workers’ comp attorney in Illinois can be a helpful resource to determine what your options are for pain treatment while on workers’ comp.

Talk To Our Antioch Workers’ Comp Attorney

Using marijuana for recreational and medical purposes in Illinois is an evolving issue. It is critical to be aware of how the law is changing. If you are considering using marijuana for pain while on workers’ comp, an Antioch workers’ comp attorney at The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C., can assist you with questions. Please contact us at (847) 395-2200 today. Our attorneys proudly serve Palatine, Chicago, Waukegan, Libertyville, and Woodstock.