Can I Get a Settlement From Workers’ Compensation if I Go Back to Work?
Yes—you may be able to get a settlement from workers’ compensation if you go back to work. A settlement may be negotiated as a lump sum or as a payout over time, depending on the details of your case.
After you agree to a settlement, your employer and their insurance company may be released from their obligation to pay you for that specific injury or illness. A settlement must also come no sooner than six months from the final date you receive benefits for temporary total disability.
However, you and your employer or their insurance company can choose to waive this waiting period if desired. At this point, your Lafayette workers’ compensation lawyer can negotiate a settlement figure that both parties agree on before accepting a settlement amount.
How Can Your Lawyer Defend Your Interests in a Workers’ Comp Case?
Workers’ compensation claims can be confusing. That’s why it’s important to contact a lawyer in your area.
When you contact us, we can help you communicate your interests to your employer and their insurance company. Keep in mind that your employer—in addition to their insurer—likely has very different goals than you do.
We know this, and we take measures to make sure to keep your interests in mind as we help you pursue compensation. Here’s what else we can show you how to do:
- Report your injury or illness through the appropriate channels
- Document your injury or illness
- File your claim
- Receive specific designations for your injury
What Does the Process of Negotiating a Workers’ Comp Settlement Look Like?
As the workers’ compensation process moves forward, your lawyer may advise you on the prospect of negotiating a settlement.
They may discuss settlement-related considerations with you, and this process might include talking about the following details:
- How much compensation you should ask for in settlement negotiations
- Whether your employer or insurance company has a reason to agree to a settlement
- Whether you want to negotiate a settlement before or after undergoing assessments
- Whether the best settlement offer you receive is suitable and fair
The Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) explains that you may be entitled to two-thirds of your average weekly wages as workers’ compensation, including coverage for medical costs to treat your injury or illness.
The Possible Benefits of a Workers’ Compensation Settlement
If you get injured or become ill as a result of work-related circumstances, you may soon find out what it is like to deal with the workers’ compensation process. Your lawyer can help you familiarize yourself with the entities that will oversee your approval for these benefits.
This process can seem very tedious, but it’s important to speak with a workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible. That way, you can learn how to reach a settlement offer that covers your newfound expenses without having to deal with the process all by yourself.
Here are a few benefits of reaching a workers’ compensation settlement:
- Receiving a lump sum to pay outstanding expenses rather than continuing to receive benefits on a weekly or otherwise structured basis
- Finding yourself in a position where you no longer need to dedicate any time or resources to the process of obtaining workers’ compensation benefits
- Getting out of a situation where you’re subjected to examinations and other legal processes to continue collecting workers’ comp benefits
All that said, a settlement may not be appropriate for everyone. Furthermore, your employer or their insurance company may not offer a settlement in the first place. Then again, even if they do, their terms may not be up to par for you or in the eyes of your lawyer.
It’s also possible that waiting instead of immediately negotiating a settlement makes sense. In any case, you should not take the prospect of agreeing to a workers’ compensation settlement lightly.
Though you may be able to get a settlement from workers’ compensation if you go back to work, this may not be in your legal interest. Hiring a lawyer who can advise you on matters related to workers’ comp can prevent you from taking any steps that do not serve your interests.
Call Us Today for Legal Assistance With Your Workers’ Compensation Case After Going Back to Work
You might be able to get a settlement from workers’ compensation if you go back to work. To figure out whether or not this is a possibility that is available to you, contact the law firm of Laborde Earles.
We can help you negotiate a settlement for a workers’ compensation claim. They require careful consideration, and our lawyers have the experience it takes to understand the circumstances surrounding your case properly.
Remember—the sooner you hire a lawyer to help you negotiate a workers’ compensation settlement or fulfill other stages of a workers’ compensation claim, the better. Call us as soon as possible after learning about us to schedule a free consultation.
