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The Settlement Analyzer has everything in
one place in one easy-to-use spreadsheet.
Download it here

In this series, we explore organizational techniques, software and hardware that will help you clear the mess from your desk, be more productive, and cut office overhead. This article presents a handy, easy to use and customize spreadsheet that keeps track of settlement values, issues and evidence.	If you missed previous Computer Corners: “How to Organize Medical Issues and Evidence” with a Downloadable Medical Manager Spreadsheet click here "How to Store It, How to Find It with downloadable folder tree and icon" click here. “How to Work Faster, More Efficiently, and with Lower Overhead” click here. "A Case Management Adjunct", .click here.
Analyzing Case Settlements the Easy Way As workers’ compensation has become more complex, and our case loads larger to make up for the lower fees, it is more important than ever to track all settlement items in one place, as we go along, so we can quickly generate a settlement demand or prepare for the Mandatory Settlement Conference. Here is a downloadable spreadsheet that you can customize to meet your needs. To download the Settlement Analyzer spreadsheet, click here, or to download the template, click here.	In previous issues we described how to use a spreadsheet to keep track of important links, Organizing Your Work with Excel. We provided a spreadsheet for keeping track of subpoenaed records. To download the previous spreadsheets: www.getmedlegal,com/articles/ articles1207/medicalmgr.xls www.getmedlegal,com/articles/ articles1207/medicalmgr.xlt www.getmedlegal,com/articles/ articles0705/excelwksheet.html www.getmedlegal,com/articles/ articles1105/whattodot.html
Advantages of using a spreadsheet instead of a yellow pad or a Word document: a) Mathematical functions can be built into the spreadsheet and save having to use a calculator and transferring the data. b) As the law evolves, or you gain experience with the new system, you can update the master document. c) You can use the Settlement Analyzer as an issues and evidence checklist.	Make sure you always have an up-to-date "clean copy" of the spreadsheet or template. You might want to store it as recommended in "How to Store It, How to Find It” You can update the master as new information comes to light, such as a new case which changes settlement values.
While you can customize the spreadsheet, If you do change anything, it can mess up the formulas embedded in the spreadsheet, so always keep a clean copy handy.	< Click image to enlarge
Use a spreadsheet for each client and store it in the client's folder on your hard drive with a copy in the paper file. Remember to link to important documents, such as medical reports, depo summaries, or cases that support the figures. Alternatively, you can wait till you have to make a demand, then go through your file and record things as you find them into the spreadsheet. It is a lot easier to put things there when they come to mind, so perhaps using this method will inspire the disorganized to achieve better record-keeping. The left column of the spreadsheet does the math, then subtracts a 15% fee and other items. It is easy to change the percentage – just go up to the formula bar. You can calculate the cost of future medical treatment in the bottom right box, which will add the total for you. Use the ratings box to paste in ratings from your rating program.	Open the Settlement Analyzer at the start of each case and save a copy to the client’s folder
By reviewing the settlement analyzer for a case, you can spot issues and discovery that you still need to do in order to come up with figures. You might also want to record what you hope will be the eventual settlement value of the case, so you can decide how much of your resources to devote to it or what you might have to do in terms of gathering evidence to get to that figure.	The Settlement Analyzer can highlight discovery that you still need to do in order to come up with figures. It can also function as an issues checklist.
Another use for this spreadsheet will arise later, after you have used it in a number of cases. It will be easy to figure out what new cases of a similar nature might be worth, when you have a collection of old ones. As case law evolves and the rating schedule changes, you can move from reading tea leaves to analyzing actual data. > Send in your tips for office organization or requests for solutions to office problems.	Easily predict the value of later cases by referring to old ones.