GWC attorney Donn P. LaHaie recently obtained a $300,000.00 workers’ compensation settlement for a union operator.
Serious Left Knee Injury, Change of Profession
Mr. LaHaie’s client is a union operator and a proud member of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 150. In November 2016, he fell while stepping out of his work truck. As a result, he suffered a patellar tendon rupture of the left knee. He was required to undergo surgery, followed by an extensive physical therapy regimen.
The union operator missed nearly ten months of work while recovering from his injury. Despite his medical treatment, he has been left with permanent work restrictions that prevent him from squatting, lifting more than twenty pounds, and walking on steep gradients, all of which were duties of his job as an operator. Though the client has been able to find employment that accommodates his work restrictions, he has experienced a notable loss of income compared to his previous position.
GWC Highlights Loss of Earnings for Settlement
Arguing that the client suffered from partial loss of use of his left leg or a minor loss of vocation, his employer made an initial settlement offer that Mr. LaHaie found inadequate. In light of the fact that his client had to take another job at a significantly lower rate of pay, Mr. LaHaie argued that he should be entitled to wage differential benefits.
Based on his expert calculation of his client’s future earnings, Mr. LaHaie was able to demonstrate to the employer that wage differential benefits were merited, thereby increasing the value of the workers’ compensation claim. He ultimately negotiated a settlement agreement in the amount of $300,000.00 – far more than the employer had initially offered. Mr. LaHaie said his client was “very satisfied” with the settlement.
How a Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help You
As you can see from the union operator’s case, experienced attorneys can make a significant difference in the value of workers’ compensation claims. Unless a worker can present the full extent of the damages caused by a work injury, both physically and economically, he or she may not receive fair compensation. For this reason, if you have been hurt on the job, consider reaching out to the Illinois workers’ compensation attorneys at GWC Injury Lawyers.
With over $2 billion recovered for our clients and offices throughout the state, GWC is one of the leading Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury law firms in Illinois. We have been helping injured people and their families obtain the justice they deserve for more than four decades.
Please contact GWC today to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with one of our attorneys. You may call our office at (312) 464-1234 or click here to chat with a representative at any time.
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