Here’s one possible situation you might be dealing with in your workers’ comp case. Your company and the carrier agreed you were hurt at work. After you received treatment, the insurance company called offering to settle your case. Naturally, you might be excited at the opportunity to get some money especially when you have bills piling up around you. However, you may want to think through this decision before agreeing to sign on the dotted line. One of those reasons is that you may give up the right to further medical treatment.
Insurance companies typically offer to settle after a doctor (typically chosen by the insurance company) has determined that you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI). What that means that the doctor has determined you are as good as you are going to get medically and there is no further reason medically to continue trying to improve your medical condition. This is often argued over because doctors can have different opinions as to treatments available and whether they would help you. Also, reaching MMI does not mean that you are not eligible for further medical treatment. You may be eligible to receive further treatment if the insurance company or the Commissioner agrees that it would reduce the time that you were disabled or out of work. Treatment may also be approved if you are able to show it would maintain your current level of functioning. However, if you agree to a settlement then the insurance company may be released from any further treatment or medical care. So if you end up having more medical bills from an injury or you need to pay for medications in the future, they won’t be covered by the insurance company. These are some of the many things that you must think about when deciding whether to settle your claim and for how much. That is why you should consider seeking help from an attorney that is experienced in handling workers’ compensation claims in South Carolina. They can help you get the treatment you need and potentially increase the final compensation you receive for your claim.
Disclaimer: The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only, and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information contained in this post should be construed as legal advice from Pati Law Firm, or the individual author, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included in, or accessible through, this Post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
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