Although a lot of people are going to ChatGPT for legal advice and getting bad information. This isn’t a new phenomenon. People have always gotten legal advice from friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, etc.
And in the last few years, getting legal advice from Reddit has become very popular. Makes sense because an injured Illinois worker can be frustrated and has nothing to lose by reaching out online. Or at lease they do not realize they do because these non-lawyers are very often wrong.
You can look through these posts here. Here is a random one that was posted that I picked.
I spent 14 months in physical and emotional limbo after my body took a beating as a ramp agent, and I’m beginning to wonder if reporting my injury was a mistake given how I’m being treated. Despite undergoing a major left shoulder surgery involving a biceps tenodesis and four anchors, and struggling with a second shoulder injury that the company is trying to dismiss, the IME has hit me with a “0% permanent restriction” rating that feels like a bad-faith setup to force me back and fire me. My own doctor warned me to get legal representation because the system is treating me like a criminal rather than an injured employee. This has completely stalled my life; I’ve been married for three years but remain stuck in a long-distance relationship, unable to move or even feel like a husband because I am so physically and financially limited.
It’s not that the responses to this person are awful. Some are offering prayers. Some are discussing their cases which doesn’t really help this guy, but at least it makes you feel like someone understands. But there are two problems that stick out.
First is that he mentions getting a 0% impairment rating. That is completely irrelevant in Illinois and does not impact what the case is worth at all. Years ago Illinois work comp law was changed to make impairment ratings a factor that could be considered in settlements. In reality it is not used and has not changed what cases are worth in any way.
In other words, do not lose sleep over a hack IME doctor giving a fake rating. It won’t hurt you.
The second issue is that the obvious solution, which even his doctor mentioned, is to get a lawyer. It is free and will solve his problems. With all respect to the commenters, the reality is that is the best advice a non-attorney can give. It sounds self serving for me to say that, but it is true.
If you were pregnant, I’d tell you take advice from an OBGYN. If your pipes are leaking, I would recommend you seek out a plumber. And if you have a legal issue, getting with a lawyer makes sense.
And for Illinois work comp cases, not having an attorney is crazy because it literally costs you nothing and can prevent so many problems. So if your goal of going to AI or Reddit or a friend is to get free advice, why would you not do it with someone who handles these cases every day?
The only risk in getting an Illinois work comp attorney is hiring a bad one. That is one reason we created a state wide network of top attorneys. We connect you with lawyers that other lawyers respect and that we as attorneys know have a great track record of success.
If you have questions and want a free case review or to discuss representation, please contact us any time. We will do whatever we can to help. I can’t guarantee a result, but do promise that the answers will be more accurate than Reddit.