How Much Your Workers’ Comp Case Is Worth

If you suffer injury or illness due to job-related activities, you can make a workers’ compensation claim. But how much will your workers’ comp case be worth? Because the severity of such incidents can vary dramatically, there isn’t a single standard settlement amount. Factors that can affect the value of a workers’ comp case include:

• the nature of the injury or illness
• the cost of medical expenses
• the amount of wages lost while unable to work
• additional benefits in the event of a permanent disability
• many other key components that must be considered during settlement negotiations

Nature of the Injury or Illness

There are many different types of injuries and illnesses one can sustain while on the job. If your illness is particularly debilitating, it may keep you from returning to work for a prolonged period of time. And if your injury is severe, treatment would be significantly more costly than that of a minor cut or sprain. Injuries to the head or central nervous system are often among the most costly, followed by neck or leg injuries, then arm or shoulder injuries. In cases where workers cannot return to their previous jobs, workers’ compensation may also cover the costs of vocational rehabilitation. The costs of job training, education, and assistance in finding new employment can potentially be factored into the settlement amount.

Cost of Medical Expenses

One of the biggest components of workers’ compensation settlement to keep in mind is the cost of medical expenses. A relatively small injury may only need basic first aid and common medication. On the flip side, a severe injury may require costly surgeries and long-term rehabilitation. Along those same lines: the worse an illness, the higher its medical expenses tend to be. In some cases the compensation will be structured payments, and in other cases a lump-sum settlement that covers all medical bills at once.

Amount of Wages Lost

Workers’ compensation can cover wages lost due to your inability to work while recovering. In Utah, workers receive two-thirds of their average weekly wage (AAW) from before the injury or illness. The duration of this financial support depends on the nature of the injury or illness and the worker’s recovery time. Those unable to work for only a limited time period will receive temporary total disability benefits, while those who are permanently unable to return to their jobs will receive permanent total disability benefits.

Permanent Disabilities

In addition to temporary benefits, you may also be entitled to permanent disability benefits. This will increase the amount of your claim. When employees with permanent impairments can return to their jobs and perform some kind of work, they receive permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits. Your degree of impairment and your ability to earn wages are factors that determine the amount you would be compensated. Meanwhile, workers unable to return to any form of gainful employment receive permanent total disability (PTD) benefits. Such benefits are typically paid for life.

How an Attorney Can Help

Every workers’ compensation case is unique, so in turn is the worth of every case settlement. This amount ultimately results from negotiations between the impaired employee and the insurance company. Having an attorney experienced specifically in the field of workers’ compensation can make all the difference in maximizing your settlement amount. A lawyer from Rose Legal can effectively negotiate with insurance companies by ensuring all relevant factors in your case are considered. For professional legal advice regarding your workers’ comp situation, call or text Rose Legal at 801-810-7673.