Q: I have been injured on the job and got a rating from my doctor of 13% whole body and 33% lower limb. Wanted to out what my options were when it came to settlement.
Their number is $17,000. I think that not enough and wanted to know what was legally fair without getting too outrageous.
--Joseph, New Market, VA
Attorney Cliff Horwitz:
An attorney must look at the medical records to see if the physician is giving you an accurate level of disability. You might ask, how would a lawyer know that? Well, lawyers see plenty of injuries and know their general value. But, the lawyer must see all the records, test results, radiograph reports, etc. I would never simply trust a physician's stated rating level.
Is the physician affiliated with an insurance carrier? Who referred you to the physician? What is the physician's reputation? A good WC lawyer will know the answers to these questions and be able to determine if the physician is biased. If so, he may send you for a second opinion. At the very least, the great WC lawyer will protect you and provide for fairer and more reasonable compensation than you could get on your own.