If you have been in an accident on the job, but you are not interested in returning to the same place of employment, or receiving medical care for your injuries on anyone’s terms but your own, you may be entitled under Michigan law to receive a workers compensation settlement in the form of lump sum cash (check). To help you understand more about this alternative course of action, we have put together a list of what, and how much you should get from a workers compensation settlement in Michigan.
Medical
Typically, all medical care and treatments are paid for under workers compensation. However, if you choose a settlement, you can receive a cash payment in the amount of your anticipated medical costs. This means your settlement amount will depend on the severity of your condition, and projected needs. For example, if you were to break both your legs, your cash settlement would likely be significantly lower than if you were to suffer a debilitating terminal illness. It’s important you also keep in mind that disputes regarding future medical needs are incredibly common.
Lost Wages
Traditionally, when an injured or disabled worker receives lost wages, it amounts to 80% of their weekly earnings after taxes based on highest paid 39 weeks prior to their injury. If you choose to settle, that same amount is merely multiplied by so many years to create a final settlement amount.
Vocational Rehabilitation
Vocational rehabilitation benefits can be a bit trickier to obtain when you’re opting for a settlement over traditional benefits. In fact, most insurance companies won’t even pay for it unless their vocational counselor signs off on an explicit plan.
Representation Costs & Fees
If there are no disputes or problems, and workers compensation benefits are paid out, your attorney fees will be a percentage of the total settlement amount. The percentage fee will vary from 10% to 30%, depending on the circumstances of your individual case.
Always remember, any costs or fees you accrue for legal support, regardless of which route you decide to take, will be deducted directly from your settlement or benefits. Also, filing a workers compensation claim will never require any type of upfront payment. If you are concerned you are not getting what you’re legally owed for your accident, or you merely wish to have a little legal backup just to be safe, we encourage you to put your trust in our competent workers compensation attorneys at Aiello Law Group today. Call us, today, at 313.964.4900 or fill out the form in the sidebar or on our contact page, and learn more about how we can help you.