If you have been injured while working on a roof, you are likely wondering what your case is worth. In Illinois, a settlement isn’t just a random number; it is a calculation designed to compensate you for the damage to your body and your ability to earn a living.
While every case is different, here is how we determine the value of a roofing accident settlement.
The Factors That Decide Your Settlement
In the Illinois workers’ compensation system, several key factors drive the final amount you receive:
- The Severity of Your Injury: A spinal fracture or a traumatic brain injury from a fall will result in a much higher settlement than a broken wrist.
- Your Average Weekly Wage: Your settlement is often calculated as a percentage of what you were earning before the accident.
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD): This is a payment for the permanent loss of use of a body part (like your back, a leg, or an arm).
- Future Medical Needs: If you will need more surgeries or lifelong physical therapy, that cost must be included in your settlement.
Wage Differential: When You Can’t Return to Roofing
Roofing is a physically demanding job. If your injury is so severe that you can no longer climb ladders or carry shingles, but you can work a lighter job that pays less, you may be entitled to a Wage Differential.
- This benefit pays you a percentage of the difference between your old roofing salary and your new, lower-paying job.
- Because roofing often pays well, this can result in a very significant settlement to protect your financial future.
Don’t Leave Money on the Table
Insurance companies want to settle your case as quickly and cheaply as possible. They might offer you a “lump sum” that looks big but doesn’t actually cover your long-term needs.
- Pain and Suffering: It is important to know that while “pain and suffering” isn’t usually part of a standard workers’ comp claim, it can be part of a lawsuit against a third party (like a general contractor or equipment manufacturer).
- Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI): You should never settle your case until a doctor says you have reached MMI, meaning your condition is as good as it’s going to get.
Why Having a Partner Matters
At Illinois Compensation, we know exactly how to calculate the true value of a roofing injury. Jack Epstein and his team fight to make sure the insurance company doesn’t ignore your future needs. We speak your language and we treat your victory as if it were our own.
Do you want to know what your roofing accident case is worth? Don’t guess with your family’s future. Call us today for a free consultation. We will review your medical records and your wages to give you an honest estimate of what you deserve. You don’t pay us anything unless we get you a settlement.
Has the insurance company already made you an offer that feels too low?
