A resource designed to estimate the potential monetary value of a claim arising from a workplace injury or illness. These tools typically incorporate factors such as medical expenses, lost wages, and the degree of permanent impairment to generate an approximate settlement range. For instance, a worker who sustained a back injury and incurred significant medical bills, coupled with an inability to return to their previous occupation, could utilize such a tool to gain a preliminary understanding of the compensation they might be entitled to receive.
The availability of these estimation resources offers several advantages. They provide injured employees with a preliminary understanding of claim valuation, potentially empowering them during negotiation processes with insurance companies. This insight can also assist in determining whether to seek legal counsel and in setting realistic expectations regarding potential outcomes. Historically, assessing the value of a claim relied heavily on expert opinions and past case precedents, making the process opaque for many individuals. These resources offer a degree of transparency and accessibility.