1. Stipulation
a. Both sides, the insurance company and you agree as to the level of permanent disability based upon the medical reports available, which is generally the Permanent and Stationary Report issued by the primary treating doctor. b. The report is rated and a disability chart is used to establish the value of the disability in dollars and the number of weekly Disability payments which are bi-weekly till entire amount is paid in full, less 15% attorney fees if represented c. The future medical treatment is left open as to the injured body parts only. The only future medical treatment you will be entitled to is that which is outlined in the permanent and stationary report described above. d. Generally if you are still employed with the same employer and he has not changed workers compensation carriers since you were injured, Stipulation is your only choice.
2 Compromise and Release (C and R)
a. The case will need a total settlement value negotiated by your attorney if represented. This settlement value is based upon the level of permanent disability as per the medical reports and an estimated value of future medical care which will be paid in one lump sum to the injured worker, less any permanent disability advances ( monies paid during the period you were made permanent and stationary and the settlement pay off date) less 15% attorney fees. b. This form of resolution will generally close the case forever. There will be no future medical care provided since you received compensation for this in your settlement. c. The workers compensation judge needs to approve the settlement for adequacy and legality before it becomes final. d. Please note… you will never receive enough money to adequately pay for an expensive surgery you may possibly need or want in the future. Be real careful here, seek advise from an attorney in this field.
3 Medicare Set Aside Trusts
Medicare approval under certain circumstances will most likely be required by the insurance company. If your case is one of those … a company paid by the defense will review the medical records on the case and estimate the future cost of medical care that will be required to be set aside in a trust before medicare will ever have to pay for your industrial injury. This proposal is than sent to an organization called C.M.S. which needs to approve the proposal before the case can be settled by Compromise and Release. If you desire to be the trustee and have control over this money which is supposed to be used by you to pay for future medical expenses, you will have certain reporting requirements and bookkeeping functions to fulfill government requirements. If yours is a case requiring a medicare set-aside, have a workers compensation attorney discuss this in greater detail with you personally as there are reporting requirements to be aware of.
4 Trial
a. A trial is needed when the insurance company will not make a reasonable settlement offer. The thing to consider before this final option is what the result will be. If we have medical reports which have a rating for example of 30% permanent disability, and the insurance company has reports giving the injured worker only 10% permanent disability and the compromise they are offering is only 20%, and the injured worker or his attorney refuse to accept that offer. Trial is ordered. b. The judge will hear the evidence submitted by both sides. The evidence is generally the medical reports and the testimony of the injured worker. c. The judge will not split the difference between the reports like King Solomon splitting the baby in the famous biblical story. It will either be the defense rating at 10% or our rating at 30%… period. d. If you go to trial the award received is paid off over time like the stipulated settle
5 In Conclusion
Ask yourself, do you want a lump sum single check and close the future medical care for an agreed amount, then C and R is your only choice. If your main concern is future medical care and you feel you will never again have insurance from any source to help with your medical care…then a stipulated settlement is your choice. If you feel that the settlement offer is too low and you don’t care about the risks of trial and don’t need a lump sum check, then trial is your choice. .. Your attorney will work for you… you need to tell him or her, what you want to achieve.
6 Hire a lawyer…
The best advice you can get is from a workers compensation lawyer . The fees are low and you never have to pay a dime out of your pocket even if there is not monetary award at the end of the case because you made a full recovery.
