Questions here, totally confused

[debysu47]

Hi all again. Awhile back I had told you all that my case had settled. That was back in June, 2 days prior to the benefit review. My attorney had called me and said we settled and went over a few details about it. He said now we will go before the judge for final approval, and it should be fairly quickly within a week or so. It has been over a month now and I have not heard one more word about it. I have never seen any settlement papers or even signed any for the judge to approve of. Is this how the process works. Do I go before the judge without even seeing papers? How long does it take to get to see the judge and how long to receive check once judge does approve? I cannot get any answers when I call attorneys office. The paralegal just tells me if he had anything he would of let you know. I am trying so hard to hold of creditors waiting on this check before my husbands check is garnished and we lose everything. I cannot even answer my phones anymore for fear its a bill collector and they won't listen to me when I tell them I am waiting for check. They want a date or they proceed. Please if anyone can answer these questions for me I will be forever grateful.
Thank You So Much

[capricorn]

Hi debysu......I know it's hard. My husband's took about 30 days to get before a Judge to sign anything and make it official. In the meantime his attorney made all clear to him. Yes he did go before the Judge without seeing anything. The Judge explained it all to him. It then took less than a week to get his check. Hang in, it's almost over.


CAP

[Pooh]

Deb

My understanding is once the judge approves the paperwork, the check is sent out really quick like. I mean my hubbys was sent to his attorney and his attorney then sent his check to him along with a copy of what the IC sent to the attorney - 2 seperate checks here one for him and one for attorney.

some states have the decisions on line - you can check and see if your state has it on line and check there as well - once it's on line you will know as well.

[Tuffy]

In Il, here is how it works, You agree to settle, The IC attorneys send settlement papers to your attorney, you read over and sign giving papers to your attorney , they are sent back to the IC attorneys, Then presented before the WC comissioner for approvil, when oked then check is sent to your attorney in both your names, you sign check and your attorney issues you a check after taking his fees. I was told this process takes about 45 days or sometimes less.

I agreed to settle 5 weeks ago and my attorney has yet to receive the settlement papers for me to sign from the defence attorneys, so go figure, I think it is all a stall tactic. For what reason I do not know and my attorney said he did not know what the hold up is, So good luck .

[rholmes]

GLAD TO SEE SOMEONE IS SETTLING. MY FIRST INJURY WAS 16 YEARS AGO, SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OTHER INJURIES. I AM STILL WAITING WITH NO END IN SIGHT. THEY HAVE LUMPED EVERY INJURY TOGETHER AND NOW AFTER 16 YEARS AND 5 LAWYERS I AM STILL WAITING TO GET WHERE YOU ARE. GOOD LUCK AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU I AM SURE THINGS WILL HAPPEN SOON. SORRY I COULDN'T BE MORE HELP

[1171]

it depends on your state as to how the process runs since we don't know yours it's just a guess.

[debysu47]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I guess I just keep on doing as I have and wait. Its just I can't hold off bill collectors without a date to give them. I feel totally in the dark.
By the way I am in Tennessee.

[Still in Limbo]

Debysu, if it's been a Month and my Attorney hasn't spoken to me, I personally, my opinion only would be waiting in His Office when he opened!! You have a right to know what's going on, you're not being greedy, you're trying to save everything you own!! You need a Letter from your Attorney with an approx. date of your check, with an approx. amount to give to your creditors so hopefully some of them will hold off!!! Go to that Office and Get It! It's yours and the assistant has no right to speak for the Attorney and blow you off. My Attorneys assistant has never phoned me or given me a message from my Attorney, He does it himself. I really think you are going to have to get a little more aggressive with your Attorney to save the things you own! Again, my opinion only, but I'm telling you exactly what I would do!!Best of Luck!!!

[1171]

here's infromation on Tennessee's work comp system
http://www.state.tn.us/labor-wfd/wcomp.html