How can it be legal for the ins. co. to starve you out?

Question

i was injured on the job 5-24-06. Surgery on 4-07 2 rods & 4 screws in my lower back, all medical is being paid and R/X i also collect 450 a wk. which isn't enought to cover bills. 21 months later and all the ins. co . has offered is 68,500 minus attorney fee of 25 % and the remainder is suppose to last me a life time. i refused the offer and now the ins. co. has not offered another settlement. why does the state allow ins. co. to do this ? are you suppose to loose all you have befor they do any thing ? i've contacted the ins. comm. for the state of georgia but to no avail. where else do you turn ? it seems to me that the state and ins. co. work hand in hand to s***w you . it's either take what we offer or go s***w yourself we may offer another settlement in a few years. how is this legal ? it's communisum and the american public has to put up with it. we have no choice. but yet the goverment wants you to support the military and then s***w you when you return. th e U.S really sucks.

Answer 1

According to your answer - you have an attorney.

Since you are going to give him 25% of your settlement (or 17,125 of the 68,000 offer) - why don't you ask him.

Answer 2

What was the State's determination of award?  Here in New York, the insurance company does NOT determine the award.  That is done by a division of the State and the insurance company is responsible for all medical costs associated with the injury forever.  ASK THE STATE BOARD!  The insurance company wants a settlement in full recorded to get them out from under continuing medical bills.  The State works for YOU, not for them.  If that does not get you an answer, contact your State representatives with the same questions, or contact all of them at once.

Helping individuals stand up to corporations is almost a guaranteed vote-getter and politicians just love those

Answer 3

I've been shocked at how low WC settlements can be, even with severe injuries. However, you have legal representation, so I'm not sure if you can blame the insurer exclusively. Also, Work Comp. is probably the most regulated form of insurance out there, with the government approving nearly everything from rates to settlement amounts, in varying degrees from state to state.

WC itself evolved as a way of protecting the employer from liability and the worker from the high legal expenses of bringing suit. In the end, it is a good example of a system that doesn't fully satisfy anyone.  Employers pay high premiums, insurers and lawyers make out. What can you do?  

In any case, I would recommend hooking up with organizations that represent injured workers, and lobbying in your state capital for mandating higher payments for Disability. These visits, canes and wheelchairs and all, go a long way and are really remembered by legislators and staff.