Lancaster Workers Comp Settlement Lawyer
If you have been hurt in a workplace accident, you likely have a valid claim for workers’ compensation benefits. In the vast majority of cases, employees decide to settle these cases, which does not require you to attend a court hearing or enter litigation. Accepting a settlement can mean that you receive the benefits you need sooner, but not all settlement offers are fair and there are some you should not accept. Below, our Lancaster workers comp settlement lawyer explains the most important things to know about these settlements so you can accept or reject an offer with confidence.
What are Workers Compensation Settlements?
Settlements in workers’ compensation are agreements between the employers and employees to finalize a case in exchange for a lump sum payment. The parties involved in a claim are you, the employee, your employer, and the insurance company or a third party administrator. You are strongly encouraged to work with a lawyer, as they can send your employer or their insurer a demand letter. The demand letter will outline your injuries and the benefits you are pursuing.
After your employer receives the demand letter, they or their insurer can then make an initial settlement offer. At this point, your lawyer will start negotiating with your employer or the insurer. If, after negotiations, a fair settlement is reached, it will be submitted to a workers’ compensation judge who will approve it if the agreement is fair.
What is the Average Workers Comp Settlement in Lancaster?
Truthfully, there is no real ‘average’ for workers’ comp settlements. Every workplace accident is unique and as such, so are the different settlements. However, some studies have shown that the average workers’ comp settlement is approximately $20,000. The amount of your workers’ compensation settlement will depend on:
- The extent of your disability
- Your average weekly wage prior to your injury
- Your age
- Your residual earning power
It is important to note that workers’ comp settlements do not include certain losses. For example, you cannot include losses for your pain and suffering in a workers’ comp claim, as you can in personal injury claims.
When Will You Receive a Workers Comp Settlement?
If a workers’ compensation judge approves the settlement agreement, they will issue an order indicating their approval. After this time, your employer or their insurance company has 30 days to make payments. This time limit only applies if you have waived the 20-day appeal period.
Our Workers Comp Settlement Lawyer in Lancaster Can Negotiate for You
When negotiating a workers’ comp settlement, you need strong legal representation. At Ira H. Weinstock, our Lancaster workers’ comp settlement lawyer is a skilled negotiator and will work tirelessly for you to make sure you have the full and fair benefits you are rightfully entitled to. After a workplace injury, do not hesitate to call us at 717-238-1657 or fill out our online form to request a free review of your case with our experienced attorney and to learn more about how we can help with your case.
