Wondering how long it may take you to get your settlement? Let’s take a look at a few factors that can affect the time it takes to settle your case in St. Louis or elsewhere in Missouri.
If you have been injured at work, you may be wondering how long it takes to reach a settlement with the help of a St. Louis workers’ compensation attorney. While some cases are resolved quite quickly, the process is different for each case and can stretch into weeks and months.
Wondering how long it may take you to get your settlement? Let’s take a look at a few factors that can affect the time it takes to settle your case in St. Louis or elsewhere in Missouri.
It’s Often Best To Settle Your Case When You Reach “Maximum Medical Improvement”
First, it’s important to understand the concept of “Maximum Medical Improvement” or MMI. MMI means that you’re either fully healed after your work injury, or that you have healed as well as you possibly can. This could take just a few days, or it could take weeks or months – it all depends on your injury.
Under Missouri law, it’s possible to settle before you reach MMI. But it’s often not a good idea to do so. Until you reach MMI and your St. Louis work injury attorney recommends that you settle, you may not know the full extent of your disabilities, injuries, and the medical care you may need in the future.
Waiting until MMI to get a settlement may be frustrating. However, it’s often the best way to ensure that you get the full compensation you’re entitled to. Settling early may mean that you won’t have all of the resources you’ll need to get care in the future.
Settling Out Of Court Is The Fastest Way To Resolve Your Case
Most workers’ compensation cases in St. Louis cases are settled out of court. If your St. Louis workers’ compensation lawyer can reach an agreeable settlement with the insurance company, this is definitely the fastest way to resolve your case.
You and the insurance company will agree to a settlement, which will be approved by the Missouri Workers’ Compensation Commission. The entire process usually takes a few weeks, but can be faster or slower depending on your case.
Settling With the Help of a Judge Takes Longer, but Is Sometimes Necessary
If your St. Louis workers’ compensation attorney cannot reach an agreement with the insurance company, your case will typically go before a judge. This only happens in about 5% of cases. This process takes longer than reaching an out-of-court settlement but may be necessary if you feel that you are not getting a fair offer from the insurer.
Speak With a St. Louis Work Injury Attorney
Working with a workers’ compensation lawyer in St. Louis will help you get the guidance you need throughout the whole process, and learn more about the estimated time it will take to resolve your case. So if you’ve been injured at work, make sure you don’t go it alone. Contact an experienced work injury lawyer now to get the help you need.