After the employee has been released from medical treatment and is able to return to work, if the medical evidence indicates that the employee has suffered permanent disability due to the injury, the employee is entitled to payment for the degree of permanent disability sustained.
The employer/insurer may offer payment in a one-time lump sum, or over a period of weeks. When the claimant is not represented by an attorney and in some other situations, a lump sum settlement must be approved by the court in order to be binding on the parties and terminate the employee’s right to any further benefits. In some cases, the parties may enter into a full settlement by filing a Release rather than a Lump Sum Settlement Application. A Release is not reviewed or approved by the court. The settlements that qualify to be filed as a Release may still be submitted as a Lump Sum Settlement Application for the court’s review and approval, but it is not required.
To learn more check out Nebraska Worker’s Comp.