Getting your workers’ compensation settlement agreement approved in Tennessee can be quite difficult, with much red tape to traverse and bureaucratic rules to follow. Even a small misstep can leave you high and dry and desperately in need of financial compensation for your injury. Fortunately there are a few tips that if you follow closely, can get you on the fast track to getting your settlement and moving on with your life. Most judges actually want to approve your settlement and most settlements get approved. So if you do everything right, you should be able to arrive at a favorable conclusion.
Know the Law
Workers’ compensation in Tennessee is governed by the Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Act. The law states that the judge must determine whether or not the employee is receiving the benefits in the Workers’ Compensation Act. If the settlement is in dispute, the judge must determine that the compromise is in the best interests of the employee. In order to help the judge approve the settlement, you need to provide as much information as possible to reach that conclusion.
Use the Court’s Settlement Agreement Templates
Tennessee courts make settlement agreements easier with online templates you can use for free. Drafting your own documents can leave you vulnerable to human error and missing key information. Simply by using these templates, you can save time and hassle, and drastically increase your chances of having your settlement approved. Not to mention a judge will find it much easier to look over standardized documents he or she has seen before rather than some new haphazard one that you created yourself. Do not try to make any changes in the template in the wording or required information. This could end up in the court requiring you to redraft the document using the correct template.
Know the Court’s Practice and Procedure Rules
The court’s Practice and Procedure Rules specifically outlines the exact way to get your settlement approved. Rule 9 specifically gives you various explicit guidelines that you can use to reach a swift settlement. These include the required documents and supporting documentation to bring to court and rules regarding affidavits.
Fully Complete All Documents Before Arriving in Court
It may seem tedious, but be sure to fill in every available space in the provided documents before you enter the courtroom. This will include docket number, state file number, education and many more details that may be easy to miss. Scan each document multiple times for any missing details to ensure an unhitched approval. Even one or two missing details can derail the settlement process.
Contact a Nashville Workers’ Compensation Attorney
Receiving workers’ compensation is a complicated process, fraught with red tape and legal obstacles. To ensure that you receive the maximum benefits for your work-related injury, a skilled lawyer is absolutely crucial.Your employer probably does not want to spend as much as you think you deserve on workers’ compensation, so a lawyer in your corner is essential. A good Nashville, TN workers’ compensation attorney can see that you get lasting benefits and fair compensation for your pain.