How long does a settlement take to finalize?
Answer
The timeline for finalizing a workers’ compensation settlement generally runs from a few weeks to a couple of months. After you and the insurance company agree on the settlement terms, your lawyer will draft the official settlement documents for you to review and sign. This step alone can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. Once you sign, the documents are sent back to the insurance company or their attorney. From there, a hearing is scheduled in Workers’ Compensation Court. At the hearing, your lawyer will review the agreement with you on the record, and you’ll answer questions to show the judge you understand what you’re signing. After the judge approves the settlement, the insurance company has 14 days to issue your check. For guidance throughout this process, our Rhode Island workers comp lawyers can walk you through each step. You can also explore our RI workers’ comp benefits for more information on settlements in Rhode Island. Additional topics such as the settlement approval process or lump-sum timing may also help you understand what to expect.
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