When should I expect to receive my settlement check?

by Jason
(Chicago, IL)

I received a settlement offer for a work related injury and signed the release on May 10, 2010. I sent the papers to my lawyer who then sent them to the insurance company to sign and cut a check.

The amount is only a little over $6,000 so why is this taking so long? The insurance company offered the amount and we accepted. It is now June 08, 2010. When should I expect to receive payment?

I've never been through something like this before so I don't know the whole process of why it takes so long. Can you please help?

Visitor Question:

Disclaimer: Information provided in our response is NOT formal legal advice. It is generic legal information based on the very limited information you provided. Under no circumstances should the information in our response, or anywhere else on this site be relied upon when making decisions about your case. You should always get a formal case review from a licensed attorney.

Comments for
When should I expect to receive my settlement check?

Click here to add your own comments

Chain of Command
by: Law Lady

Well, as a rule of thumb, it would be reasonable to expect a check within 2-3 weeks, but before you worry, I would check a few things:

1. Find out when the lawyer sent in the release. While you may have signed it on one day, it may not have gotten to the adjuster for a period of time thereafter.

2. Find out whether the insurance adjuster needed the release in hand before cutting a check. Many adjusters will send a check if less than, say $10,000.00 in anticipation of receiving a release while others will wait to receive it first and THEN cut the check.

3. Lastly, find out if the checks are cut from a different office. I have worked on numerous cases where I was dealing with an adjuster in one state, but the settlement drafts and releases were handled from a different office, often in yet another state.

When it comes to settling cases, there is often a huge paper trail requiring several different parties. Talk to your lawyer about the items above and ask him/her to call for status.

If you get to the point of 4-5 weeks without a check, you may need to speak to the adjuster's supervisor.

Hope this helps.

How many releases do have to sign?
by: Anonymous

How many releases do I sign once I sign the release to settle?

Were is my money?
by: JC

I signed the release forms on September 6, 2012 at the court waiting room with the interpreter, no attorney or witness was around. Today is October 15 and I still haven't received the check.

I called the attorney for the 3rd time to ask about the check. But they wouldn't answer the phone. I need medicine and money to pay bills and fix the car, but they tell me I can't use that money except for medical costs or medications. I don't know what to do.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Workers Compensation Questions

When should I expect to receive my settlement check?

Comments for When should I expect to receive my settlement check?

Comments for
When should I expect to receive my settlement check?