Visitor Question

When should I expect to receive my settlement check?

Submitted By: Jason (Chicago, IL)

I received a settlement offer for a work related injury and signed the release on May 10, 2010. 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.

Disclaimer: Our response is not formal legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. It is generic legal information based on the very limited information provided. Do not rely upon the information in our response, or anywhere else on this site, when deciding the proper course of a legal matter. Always get a personalized case review from a local attorney.

Answer

Dear Jason,

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.

Learn more here: Workplace Injury Claim Guide

The above is general information. Laws change frequently, and across jurisdictions. You should get a personalized case evaluation from a licensed attorney.

Find a local attorney to give you a free case review here, or call 888-972-0892.

We wish you the best with your claim,

Published:

4 thoughts on “When should I expect to receive my settlement check?

  1. Theresa Parker says:

    I have copies of the check along with a copy of the cash voucher that I signed and mailed back but never received the check.

  2. Anonymous says:

    I signed the release for settlement on October 31, 2013. I wanted a copy of the check before I signed my name. He said he didn’t have the check yet but wanted me to sign a form for him right then.

    I also had problems with him sending me forms like the settlement agreement amount. He said it was a verbal, not written agreement. Now it’s Jan 17th and I don’t know if I can contact another lawyer for a copy.

  3. JC says:

    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.

  4. Anonymous says:

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

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