Page 42 - November 2018

Injured cops hurt for second time by insurance fine print
As a police officer, you’re constantly at risk, so it’s almost a certainty that at some point in your law enforcement career, you’re going to have to
see a doctor. If an injury or illness is pre-
and to act quickly to assert them. It’s also important to know the limits placed on your rights by your City of Chicago insur- ance plan. Having represented dozens of police officers in injury cases, I regularly encounter issues where, having recovered money from a third party (such as a driver who caused a traffic accident) to compensate a police officer for pain and lost wages, we’re required to pay back the City for the cost of the officer’s care before we can disperse funds to the officer and his or her family. These “subrogation liens,” as they’re called in legalese, are incredibly frustrating to deal with, especially when there is a lim-
ited amount of settlement monies available.
The Road to Recovery
Facing a situation like this is incredibly daunting. As a sick or injured officer, your focus should be on making a full recovery so you can get back to the job of protecting the public and sup- porting your family. An experienced injury lawyer can help you understand the fine print in your insurance papers and any set- tlement documents. Just as an illness or injury requires profes- sional medical attention, sometimes you’ll find yourself in need of professional legal attention. Don’t be afraid to seek out expert help. d
Ted McNabola represents victims of personal injury, medical malpractice and wrongful death and has been named one of the Top 100 consumer attorneys in Illinois by Law and Politics Magazine.
venting you from working or limiting your ability to do your job safely and effectively, you need to seek prompt treatment.
LEGAL
Advice
Tough as it is to admit that you require
medical help in the first place, it can be even tougher to deal with the hassle of finding a doctor from the City-approved list and managing to get an appointment that fits into your schedule.
Still, for most officers, a speedy recovery is well worth the red tape.
Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Sometimes, a doc- tor’s visit is just the beginning of another set of challenges. Know Your Rights
I represented a CPD officer who, after years of struggling with poor vision, underwent Lasik eye surgery. He hoped the proce- dure would help him perform his duties even more effectively, but instead, an error by the doctor ended up further damaging his sight. With the partial loss of vision, he was unable to pass his shooting qualification test and could no longer serve on the force. He reached out to my office for help and, fortunately, we were able to help win a $3.15 million settlement on his behalf, securing his and his family’s financial future.
In cases like this one, it’s important to know your legal rights
TED MCNABOLA
Personal Injury Wrongful Death Medical Malpractice
Trial attorney Ted McNabola has represented dozens of Chicago Police Of cers. He has been selected by his peers as a Top 100 Consumer Lawyer in Illinois, received Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating for ethical standards and legal ability and serves on the Board of the 100 Club of Chicago.
Free Consultation (312) 888-7000 • www.injuryillinois.com
42 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ NOVEMBER 2017