Tom McCutcheon
Q: I received a letter from my employer’s insurance company about an injury I had about a year ago on the job. They want to pay me less than $10,000.00 after I had surgery on my arm and they want me to sign to bottom of the letter and send it back to them. What should I do?
Charles
Tuscumbia, AL
A: I would be happy to look at the offer and tell you what I think about the case. Around once a month I will have someone stop by with a similar letter and we will talk about the facts of the case and what their options are and let them make a decision about how the matter will be resolved. Sometimes the offer is fair and I will advise the person to accept the offer and on other occasions I think otherwise. In any event there is no charge for a discussion about an injury and an offer. You need to know what your case is worth, exactly what they are offering and why and what the true consequences of pursuing or not pursuing your case will be.
Some employers in the area are great to work for and want to keep a worker that was injured while in their employment. Other employers can’t wait to get rid of a worker that reported an on the job injury claim.
Injuries to the shoulder are valued in two different ways depending on current employment status while injuries to the arm are valued in a particular way based on a schedule that does not change whether the injured worker is employed or not.
There are employers who have jobs that are so difficult to do and so physically demanding or repetitive in nature that by the time a person is in their mid 40s they physically cannot continue on in that type of job. Those workers often force themselves to work beyond the point where they will ever physically be able to fully enjoy life or at least be pain free because they have to have the money for their family. There certainly are a lot of different considerations to think about and talk about with an injured worker. You should discuss this letter and your injury with a lawyer that you know and trust.
Buckle up and drive safely
256-764-0112
2210 Helton Drive
Florence, AL 35630
