Lump Sum Settlements for Amazon Workers

Chicago Lawyers Handling Workers’ Compensation Claims

Working conditions at Amazon are fast-paced. When an employer places insufficient attention to workplace safety, employees can develop chronic conditions due to repetitive motion. Under Illinois law, Amazon workers that are injured on the job are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, which should be paid by Amazon’s insurer. Usually, employees will receive their workers’ compensation benefits over time. However, the insurer may offer a lump sum settlement in certain circumstances. When an employer offers a lump sum settlement, the employee will receive a single payment in exchange for foregoing installment payments and also some rights. Lump sum settlements for Amazon workers must be carefully analyzed to weigh the risks and benefits. Consult with the seasoned Chicago workers’ compensation attorneys of Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca to discuss your workers’ compensation claim.

Lump Sum Settlements for Amazon Workers

The Illinois workers’ compensation system requires most employers, such as Amazon, to provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage for their employees. These policies protect injured workers by providing benefits such as reasonable and necessary medical treatment, vocational rehabilitation, and disability payments. Usually, workers’ compensation benefits are paid in installments and your medical provider will bill your employer’s workers’ compensation insurer. However, in some cases, an insurer may offer you a lump sum settlement. You’re entitled to accept that settlement instead of holding out for payments made in installments. However, you should consider all relevant factors with an experienced lawyer.

Should You Take a Lump Sum Settlement?

Accepting a lump sum settlement presents certain disadvantages. Lump sum settlements for Amazon workers should not be accepted until the employee has attained maximum medical improvement. Generally, the treating doctor will determine that a patient has reached maximum medical improvement when the medical condition has stabilized and further improvement will be unlikely. Maximum medical improvement does not necessarily mean that the patient is fully healed and healthy. An injured worker may reach maximum medical improvement yet be permanently disabled and unable to work. A worker may also be partially disabled at the point of maximum medical improvement and only able to work on a part-time basis thereafter.

If your condition worsens after you have signed the settlement agreement and accepted the lump sum, the workers’ compensation insurer will not pay for further medical care or treatment, or provide any additional disability pay.

In the right circumstances, a lump sum settlement may present certain advantages. Before accepting a lump sum settlement, consider the total value of your claim at the point of maximum medical improvement, how long you’ll be unemployed, whether it’s possible your medical condition will worsen, whether the claim is being disputed by the insurance company, and what benefits would be covered by the settlement agreement. You should thoroughly review the settlement agreement with an experienced attorney. If you make an unexpected recovery after the settlement agreement, the lump sum settlement may be costlier to the insurer. However, if the opposite occurs and your health declines after reaching maximum medical improvement, a settlement that did not account for this outcome may be detrimental.

Waiver of Rights

You may waive certain rights if you accept a lump sum settlement under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act. Further, it’s important to realize you may have been offered a settlement in order to get rid of the claim, not because the amount is reasonable or represents the full amount to which you’re entitled.

Settlement Contract

A settlement offer should incorporate the anticipated lost wages and future medical care. Sometimes, the parties may settle one type of claim while leaving open another. For instance, if you haven’t recovered from your injury and still seek medical treatment, you may consider settling the disability pay claim while keeping the medical benefits claim open.

You will be asked to sign a settlement contract if you accept the lump sum settlement. You should read and ensure you understand the contract. In most cases, you should consult a lawyer to ensure you understand it. After you agree to the settlement, the contract must be accepted by the Illinois Industrial Commission.

Retain a Seasoned Chicago Attorney

If you’re an Amazon worker who is concerned about accepting a lump sum settlement, you should talk to the experienced Chicago lawyers of Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca. We also represent injured Amazon workers in Rockford, Quincy, Aurora, and Champaign, as well as Kane, Cook, Winnebago, Adams, and Sangamon Counties. Call us at 312-724-5846 or complete our online form.