The Incident: Struck on the Job
In January 2021, the worker was performing his duties for a temporary employment agency in Chicago, IL. During his shift, he was struck by a forklift, an accident that caused significant trauma to his chest, left shoulder, and back.
The medical diagnosis confirmed a serious spinal condition:
- L4-L5 Disc Bulge/Prolapse: The disc between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae was pushed out of its normal space, causing pressure on the nerves and intense back pain.
Navigating Legal and Financial Obstacles
As a temporary service worker, the client faced a difficult path to recovery. The employer and their insurance carrier initially disputed whether the injury was fully compensable, creating a period of financial instability for the worker and his three young children.
To survive the recovery period, the client had to take out a legal funding loan. The case was further complicated by:
- Medical Liens: Outstanding bills from physical therapy providers like ATI Physical Therapy.
- Employment Waiver: As part of the final negotiation, the insurance company required a voluntary resignation and a release of all future claims against the employer.
- Debt Coordination: The legal team had to coordinate payments not just to doctors, but to the funding company (Momentum Funding, LLC) to ensure the client’s net award was protected from high-interest debt.
Strategy: Total Debt Resolution and Finality
Led by Jack Epstein, with 30 years of experience in the Illinois legal market, the firm implemented a strategy focused on “Comprehensive Liquidation.” We recognized that the client needed a clean break from the employer and a lump sum to manage his future while caring for his children.
Our strategic interventions included:
- Lien Negotiation: We handled the direct payment of medical providers and the loan company from the settlement funds, ensuring the client didn’t have to worry about collectors calling after the case was closed.
- Commission Advocacy: We prepared and filed all necessary documentation with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission to ensure the agreement was legally binding and protected the client’s interests.
- Transparency: We provided the client with detailed explanations of the voluntary resignation and confidentiality clauses, ensuring he made an informed decision for his family’s future.
A $57,096.77 Result for a Father of Three
The successful resolution of the case provided the worker with a substantial net award to support his household.
The Financial Breakdown:
- Global Settlement: $57,096.77
- Loan and Medical Debt Cleared: $3,413.16 (Paid to Momentum Funding and ATI)
- Legal Fees & Costs: $11,544.35
- Net Amount to Client: $42,139.26
This net recovery of over $42,000 provided the client with the capital needed to transition into a new phase of his life, free from the weight of the 2021 forklift accident.
Proven Experience in Every Illinois Case
- “Jack Epstein, with 30 years of experience in the Illinois legal market, personally oversaw the case.”
- “The client paid nothing until we won the case.”
The Final Word on Financial Protection
A forklift accident shouldn’t leave you in a mountain of debt. This worker proved that with the right legal team, you can navigate the complexities of medical loans and insurance disputes to find justice. By securing a $57,000 recovery and wiping his slate clean of medical and loan debts, we ensured this father could focus on his children’s future instead of his past injury.
