I am 33 years old, I am working as an overnight stocker at Walmart. I had a serious injury in my lower back. My MRI shows that I have a diffuse disc bulge and a right paracentral disc herniation at the L4-5 level of my back. And a diffuse disc bulge and a small roght pararcentral disc herniation causing effacement of my right lateral recess, of the L-5-S1. So far my company has paid my medical bills and has given me my compensation while I have been on medical leave. My question is what is the award that the company should to pay me for the damages that I have obtained?Attorney, Marc Perper
Thank you for your inquiry.
In general, we believe it inadvisable for us to try and formulate an opinion regarding the settlement value of a given claim without a thorough review of: (1) your medical, surgical and hospital records; (2) any reports of physicians who have examined you, either at the request of the employer or at the request of your own attorney; (3) at least some understanding of your age, education, training, skills, prior work history, current trade or occupation, and your pre- and post-injury earnings; and (4) a determination as to whether we believe that the particular facts of your case will give rise to liability under our workers' compensation laws.
If you are represented by counsel in your workers' compensation case, I would strongly urge you to discuss the value of your claim with your attorney. If a settlement offer is made by the representatives of your employer, and if, after consulting with your attorney, you are dissatisfied with the amount of that settlement offer, you have a right to a hearing before the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission -- the court that hears workers' compensation cases -- to determine the value, if any, of your case. The Commission is not bound by the parties' settlement discussions and may award either more or less than the amount offered, if any, during negotiations. If your attorney's practice is concentrated in the field of workers' compensation law, the attorney will know how to proceed before the Commission.
If you are not represented by an attorney, and if you desire legal representation in your workers' compensation case, or if you would like to discuss this matter in greater detail, please feel free to give us a call. There will be no charge for the initial consultation.
Thank you again for your interest in our firm.
Yours very truly,
Marc Perper