Does the time Im off of work have anything to do with the value of my workers compensation claim?

I'm sure there are some lawyers who do try and "stretch out the time the injured employee is off work"; but there is really no incentive to do so. There is little the lawyer can do to accomplish such a goal. It's the doctor who controls when the employee has reached maximum medical improvement and should return to work. And the doctor has the role to determine what restrictions will apply to the release to return to work. The lawyer hasn't any control over restrictions. I don't know any lawyer who attends medical appointments with the patient-client. But the insurance companies do hire case managers that do attend those appointments and without asking for permission do remain in the exam room adding their two-cents on when the patients should be released and under what restrictions. The patient often times becomes a second thought, never even being provided with the written release. Some lawyers, a few maybe, want the healing period to go on longer; although immediately there shouldn't be any financial incentive to the lawyer. The length of the healing period is rarely if ever discussed during settlement as adding or subtracting from the amount. So I'm not sure how dragging out the healing period will add to the valuation. Bottom line is many lawyers, the good ones, want their clients back to work making the same wage as quick as it can be accomplished. Otherwise the client is home, as cranky as you and I and constantly calling the lawyer's office wanting assurance. The longer the client is off of work, the more in debt they are and the more difficult it is to get them back to even. I really can't agree that any lawyer would want or can control how long an injured employee is off of work.

After a worker is injured is when they need the support of their employer the most. But injured workers aren't given a level playing field. The company doctor often times is not helping them and the case manager isn't either. The worker is left alone to fend for themselves and to make mistakes that result in lower benefits or fewer weeks of benefits. Some are sent back to work too soon. There is only one person on your side and that understands this system. If your lawyer doesn't understand the nature of this claim you've got the wrong lawyer. Steve Lombardi has practiced in the area of workers compensation for over 30 years. He's tried hundreds of cases for more than one thousand clients. If you'd like help finding a competent lawyer we do assist people in locating a lawyer in Iowa or in Illinois. Call us.

If you have a question about your case, give us a call or drop us an email. LOMBARDI LAW FIRM - 515-222-1110 or sdlombardi@aol.com. If you or your spouse are involved in a work accident contact the Lombardi Law Firm. We will assist you with your claim.
Steve Lombardi, Attorney