PERMANENT TOTAL DISABILITY

Advocacy from a Skilled Kansas City Workers’ Comp Lawyer

When a workplace injury causes permanent effects and prevents a person from doing any work at all, the injured worker will be eligible for permanent total disability benefits. These benefits are reserved for serious cases and will be paid to the injured person for the rest of his or her life in place of the income that they would otherwise be expected to earn.

At Adler & Manson, our Kansas City workers’ compensation attorneys provide results-oriented representation for workers who have suffered serious, life-changing injuries. We work diligently to help our clients get all of the permanent disability benefits they are entitled to, even when workers’ comp carriers and employers take measures to minimize our clients’ injury and leave them without the support they deserve.

Should You Accept A Lump-Sum Settlement?

If you have suffered a permanent disabling work injury, the workers’ compensation insurance company may offer you a lump-sum settlement. Whether the settlement comes in the form of a one-time payout or a structured settlement, the responsibilities of the insurance company will end once it sends you the proceeds of the settlement.

While a lump-sum settlement can seem tempting, it does have its drawbacks. For example, by accepting a settlement, you will no longer receive additional payments even if you outlive the settlement money. You may also have your Social Security benefits offset if the settlement is not structured properly. Moreover, the settlement may address all your medical issues, including future treatment, which could present problems with Medicare. On the plus side, you will receive a significant amount of compensation, and if structured properly, may still result in you receiving Social Security Disability benefits. Before you decide to accept a lump-sum settlement, you should seek legal advice.

Was Your Injury Caused By A Third Party?

If your injury was caused by the negligence of someone other than a co-employee (such as a contractor or equipment supplier), you may have a third-party claim as well as a workers’ compensation claim. This can enable you to claim additional compensation from the negligent party. Our lawyers are experienced in such cases, and when we represent you, we will work hard to help you obtain maximum compensation from all sources.

No matter what your circumstances are, a workers’ compensation lawyer at Adler & Manson is ready to review your situation and recommend your best course of action. We can tell you if the settlement offer is fair, or whether you are better off keeping your claim open.