There are four important factors of a Pennsylvania workers compensation settlement that you should think about. A lump sum amount of money can sound great. After all, as an injured worker, you may be behind on bills, owe family or friends money due to the injury, or simply need the money for other reasons. I understand.
However, when settling your case in Pennsylvania, there are four very important factors to think about and talk over with your attorney before putting pen to paper and signing away all your Workers’ Compensation rights. I will briefly address these right here.
1. Resignation. In Pennsylvania, most workers compensation settlements will require your resignation from employment. That should not come as a surprise to you when settling your claim. Your attorney should tell you that upfront. That could very well be an important factor in whether you settle your case or not. Some times employment has already ended. The injured worker may have already been terminated. Other times, the injured worker can’t return to that type of work again, due to the injury. Those facts are certainly common. However, there are some injured workers who enjoy their job and want to return to the job when healed from the injury. That can make settlement difficult.
2. Medical Bills. Do you know what medical bills are outstanding due to your work injury? Your attorney should know if you have provided information on where you have treated for your injury. What will happen with those unpaid medical bills? How much are the unpaid medical bills? Not all settlements include payment of outstanding medical bills. You need to understand what will happen to them should you settle your workers compensation case.
3. Future treatment. Will you need future treatment? What about a future surgery related to your work injury? Will your private health insurance pay for medical expenses related to your work injury? Are you on Medicaid and Medicare? If so, what impact does that have on settlement? Does your settlement agreement provide for any future medical treatment? These are all incredibly important factors to consider when thinking about settling your workers compensation claim.
4. Value. This factor is big for most injured workers — what is my case worth? I can actually refer you to this article on factors that determine what your case is worth. Insurance carriers will never offer you full value for your case. Values fluctuate based on injury, rate of pay, employers, insurance carriers, etc … One thing you need to try and avoid is all the ‘I know a guy’ or ‘ my friend said’ or ‘his case settled for’. Every single case is different. Injury may be the same, but a multitude of factors vary. That is precisely why you need an experienced workers compensation attorney. Don’t short change your case.
What is your case worth? Well, there is one way to find out. Call Mooney Law at 833-MOONEYLAW to schedule a FREE consultation to discuss your case and whether settling your Pennsylvania workers compensation case is right for YOU.
