Notice of Settlement Conference

[Jaycojade]

I'm in Pa and received this notice on Oct. 29. My hearing is Tuesday (Nov. 10). Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. ty.

[linkedin-wcclaimsguy]

Is your claim disputed or are there issues in dispute? Do you know why it is coming up for hearing? Can't offer suggestions without more details. Claims don't get set for hearing randomly in PA. Someone had to request it.

[1171]

know the range of options you are willing to take to resolve the issue.

[capricorn]

sounds like exactly what it says. Are you in the process of negotiating settlement?

[Still in Limbo]

Jay, the Laws have Changed Recently Concerning Mediation Conferences. I'm from Pa. also, and have been to 15 Hearings and a Settlement Conference, so I'll give You the Info. I'm Aware of. If You Have an Attorney, They will Probably want to Meet with You before the Mediation, to set Boundaries of what You will Accept or Decline. There are 2 Types of Settlement Conferences Now, a "Mandatory" that Must be Offered before the First Hearing before a Judge in a w/c Case, and a "Volunteer Conference" that can be Done at any Time if both Parties want to try and Settle. If You don't have Counsel, I would Strongly Suggest You have One, You will in all Probability be Speaking to the Attorney for Your Employers Ins. Co.! If the Conference is Mandatory, the Judge that will be Hearing Your case is not Permitted to be the Mediator, if it's a Volunteer, then the Judge Hearing Your Case can be the Mediator. Normally You will Start in the Hearings Room, where the Judge will Explain the Process of the Conference, and then Both Sides will be Placed in Separate Rooms, and the Judge will go Back and Forth as the Mediator, trying to Settle the Claim before it goes into the Hearings Process if it's a Mandatory, or to try and Close the Case if it's a Volunteer. Monetary Amounts, Health Care Treatment, and how it would be Handled, and Prescription Costs along with any Disability Supplies, (Wheel Chair,etc),also Called Hard Items will be Discussed, and a Settlement will try and be Reached. If You and the Ins. Co. aren't even Close, the Judge has the Option to Stop the Conference, and Schedule Hearings. I Wish You the Very Best, I Turned Down a Low 6 Figure Offer, (5 Years of My Current TTD Payments) but My Case is Very Complicated, and will be going to the Commonwealth Court Hopefully Soon! Please be Ready and Prepared not to Settle, Most First Conferences are a Feeling Out Process, to See where both Sides Stand, but After the Conferences, I have Seen Offers Made that have Ended in Settlement!!

[Jaycojade]

Well; nothing much happened at all. This is a volunteer settlement conference. My atty & former employer's atty & WC Judge had a conference-- I sat in the waiting room. Twice my atty came out to talk; once with another counter offer; but it was pathetic & I said no-way. I'll probably have to make another 7 1/2 hour drive next month; be 3rd time in 3 months. My atty said it'll be about the $11,000.00 over payment their own accountants made. (They paid my atty his 20% fee without deducting it from my check for four years). It looks like we could go 50/50 with it; which I'll agree to that.

Still in Limbo---- been along time; how ya been?

[Still in Limbo]

I'm Sorry You didn't get it Handled, and I Think if You and Your Attorney Search, You can Defer those Monies for Settlement if They Feel it's going to Happen Someday, or in My Opinion, I Believe the Ins. Co. made the Mistake, so They should Live with it!! I will be Talking to My Attorney Thursday Hopefully and I'll Ask Him about your Situation!!

Thanks for Asking, I'm Dealing One Day at a Time, a lot of Back and Stomach Pain Lately, but I'll get by!! I Hope You are Well, and I'll let You know what My Attorney Thinks about Your Situation!!

[Jaycojade]

Thanks Still in limbo; take care.