Company Thinks They Are Above The Law !! Need Help In IL.

[LedHead03]

I have been on work comp for almost 5 years now. I have had 2 back surgeries and I now am Fused L4-S1. I am unable to perform my job nor will the company take me back so they decided to start paying me my TTD. In the 5 yrs I have been cut off for no reason. I have gone for a complete year without any money from them. Now in 2008 I received social security and the company started my pay back up. In August of 2008 they cut my TTD by $550.00 a week stating I should have my butt out there working and when I get a job that will make up the $550.00 per week that they cut me. The judge/arbitrator went along with it for some ungodly reason. In January of 2009 the company decided to cut me off again. Now in July the judge tells the company that they have to try to find me a job,{his reasoning for this is so if he rules PERM Total that everyone will be satisfied that we did try to look for jobs} which we are currently doing with no success. Who wants to hire a 40 yr old man that cannot stand up straight let alone cant walk straight? but that is besides the point. Now in July, judge tells company to start paying me, so they start up the pay at the reduced rate. I continue to do everything the job service ask of me except running out in front of a bus like they wished would happen to me. We go to court 2 weeks ago and judge tells company to quit screwing around and put my pay up to the full TTD rate at least since I have been working for the job service. Company ignores judge and does what they want like they have been doing the last 5 yrs. Now today 7/23/09 we go back to court and judge threatens them that he is going to fine them but at the end of the day their lawyer says he will do everything in his power to try to convince the adjuster to up my pay. Now so far in back pay TTD payment from August 08 what they shorted me each week till January of 09 ($550.00) then from January 09 till July 09 no pay at all they are behind roughly 35 thousand dollars. {Sorry for the Long Story before the question} My question is what can I do with the help of my attorney to make this company comply? Gallagher Bassett is the Insurance company for the company I work for. They think they can do whatever they feel like. This Arbitrator is such a lush and doesn't put his teeth into them and that is why I am on the Internet looking for avenues that I can go about to stir things up to get people to look at what's going on. I have already met and spoken with my Local Representatives and so far that hasn't worked. My lawyer tells me to be patient but this company is going to put me into bankruptcy if they continue to not pay what they are suppose to. How in the world can these pieces of crap get away with this? They were the ones that hurt me !!! I am young and have kids and I already survived the year that they didn't pay me. I burnt everything I had up in the bank and now they know they have me in a corner on my knees. I need some good advice or a good phone number on who to contact to get this company back in checkmate !! Please ...Please.....Please !!!!! Thank You in advance for your responses.[/color][/size][/font]

[Lilly]

Hi Led,

We are not ignoring you.....someone 'in the know' must answer this one...seems complicated to me.

BUT First, before any answer can be given... What is your STATE ?

OPPS SORRY, I SEE IT'S "IL"

Lilly

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

I'm from Illinois also. But, from what I am reading, is you yourself can't do much. This is in the hands of your Attorney to push the Arbitrator. As it is now, it seems the Arbitrator is already tired of them, and seems more on your side. Your Attorney is very correct, and you will just have to wait. Sorry to say that.

May I ask which Representative you made contact with?

[Tuffy]

I am also from Illinois and agree with Bad Boy, there is not much if anything you can do personally except leave it in the hands of your attorney. If the arbutrator can't make your company comply, Then it was taken to court and now is in the hands of a judge, Then I would believe your Attorney is working hard for you. Good Luck

[Manley2]

Illinois here too and my company has been holding back pay since April 2007 and put me completely off work in Jan 08. This put me on disablity and making $1066 a month total so I know what you talking about. My lawyer has been working hard to get it and trust me it takes time. These companies do this in hopes you will give up and go away or take a small amount of money and get out of their hair. From your post I can see it has you worked up and thats just what the employer wants so try to relax alittle if you can. It's hard I know but getting all worked up will only work in your employers favor.

[LedHead03]

Bad Boy Bad Boy Wrote:I'm from Illinois also. But, from what I am reading, is you yourself can't do much. This is in the hands of your Attorney to push the Arbitrator. As it is now, it seems the Arbitrator is already tired of them, and seems more on your side. Your Attorney is very correct, and you will just have to wait. Sorry to say that.

May I ask which Representative you made contact with?

I understand what your saying and it all makes sense, but the reason I am trying to dig for information is because I am sick and tired of going to court and the nothing gets accomplished. If the company continues to pay, I will be in the game a lil longer then they expected. The reason I am actually seeking help is because at the end of the day everyone goes home and lays their heads down so they can start another day. I for one cannot sleep in a bed anymore and have to sleep in a chair. I also am the only one that is concerned about my bills, my house, my wife and my kids. I am very frustrated that the system allows for the injured worker to get cut off and all we hear is "it takes time". No !!! Let the lawyers or the judge go without their pay for 1 year and see how they like it. See its like healthcare {not to confuse the situation} If these SOB who are in Government, {Senators & Congressmen} were the ones with out healthcare or if we were to cut them off on pay, world war three would happen and that day excrement would happen. Now when it comes to anyone else needing something, we wait till they are good and ready. The system sucks and I am trying to do everything I can for me and my family. I am not one of them people who have total faith in Lawyers, Judges, Government so that is why I am out here looking for help. Today is Friday and I am sure my Lawyer and all the others I mentioned are going home to enjoy their weekend. My weekends consist of depression and them emotions that run thru your head...Over and over !!!! "Are were going to make it ....or not.. !!! "

[Still in Limbo]

Hi LedHead, and Welcome to the Forum!! I'm a Totally Disabled Lower Back Injured Worker, and have been in the System just a Few Months Shy of 5 Years! I have had 15 Hearings so Far and Won, Both Sides Utilized the Appeals Process and All Decisions were Upheld, and they even found another Issue to Penalize the Ins. Co. for, and Trust Me, My Life has been He** also!! This Group of Folks on here have Helped Me through Many a Rough Spot, as they will also do with You!! It's Normal to be Very Agitated, Upset, Confused, and Straight Out Mad as He** for having to Fight for Everything You need, Only because You went to Work and Got Injured!! My State is Pa., and as My Attorney calls it Bazaaro World, We are actually a Commonwealth and not a State, and w/c does not have Laws, only Rules and Regulations that are Open to Interpretation of the Judges that Review, and the Appeals Board Consisting of 12 Individuals. You Mentioned Social Security, is it SSDI, if so they should be Making up the Amount the w/c System isn't Paying You, and if You Win Your Back Monies, You will be Required to Pay SSDI back the Funds they Advanced You! I am Telling You this Because I am on SSDI also, and I Receive Medicare also at the Age of 47, (I was Approved at the Age of 43 in 3mos./3wks. without an Attorney) But SSDI is Not Pro-Active, You need to take the Letters Lowering Your TTD Pay to them, and they will Make the Adjustment in Your SSDI Payments. Your Attorney should have made You Aware of that, and I Hope this Info. Helps!! But as the Others have Said, it does take Patience with this w/c System, and I know how Hard that is to Have!! God Bless, and I Hope this Helped!