Workers’ Compensation
Work Comp Attorney in Adams County, IL
Work Comp Attorney in Adams County, IL. When unsafe work conditions result in an illness or a work injury, it’s within your rights to seek the benefits necessary to cover providing for yourself and your family|If you ever get hurt on the job, it’s your right to seek compensation so that you can continue to keep the lights on and put food on the table for you and your family; however, the workers’ compensation process is often complex no matter what part of the country you call home. Any mistake you make could result in your employer or the insurance company contesting your claim.
At Drummond Law, our work injury lawyers want to help take you through every aspect of your claim from beginning to end. We can fill out crucial paperwork on your behalf, facilitate communication with all parties involved, and negotiate with the insurance company and your employer for just and fair compensation.
If you have been injured on the job and need help filing a workers’ compensation claim or appealing a denial, speak with a work comp attorney in Adams County, IL, at Drummond Law today. Feel free to contact us or call 800-842-0426 for a free document review.
Filing a Work Comp Claim With the Help of a Work Comp Attorney in Adams County, IL
Injuries can result from either one single traumatic event (including a slip and fall, electrocution, machine-related accident, etc.) or they can occur over time (such as repetitive stress, toxic exposure, etc.) Both types of injuries are equally valid and equally deserving of compensation.
No work injury is ever too small, and you shouldn’t minimize them. As soon as you find out about an injury that was caused by a job-related duty, there is no time to waste. You need to explore your options for filing a workers’ compensation claim. Here are the steps below:
- Inform your manager, HR representative, or employer about the injury – Also, insist that they fill out an accident report. It is also good practice to send them a notice detailing the accident and the injury in writing.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible – Tell the doctor that your injury is work-related, and give him or her the name of your employer. Once you leave the treatment center, be sure to follow your physician’s instructions for medical treatment; failure to do so could hurt your claim.
- Obtain ALL copies of present and past healthcare records – No piece of information is unimportant when it comes to your health and wellbeing.
- File an Application for Adjustment of Claim – If you feel your employer may resist paying for your treatments now or in the future, you will want to file this form.
- Make sure that your employer reports the injury to the workers’ compensation insurance company – They will review your claim and you will receive either an approval or contest of the claim.
- Get in touch with an experienced work comp attorney in Adams County, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against state and local government employers, private industry, and more.
Our seasoned work comp attorneys in Adams County listen to you and believe that your injuries are valid. We can help shoulder some of the burdens you face during what is already a stressful time. If you’ve been injured on the job, Drummond Law can help you get the work comp benefits you are entitled to.
Am I Eligible For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Adams County?
Laws differ depending on state, but in general you are eligible for workers’ compensation if you are considered a legal employee and you have been injured while performing a job-related responsibility. Statute of limitations do apply, so file your claim as soon as possible.
Settlements for workers’ compensation claims usually include medical bills, loss of affection and income, mileage and rehabilitation reimbursement, pain and suffering, and other expenses related to a workplace accident. We are familiar with all the laws, regulations, and rules associated with the often muddled work comp legal process, so give us a call to learn more now.
Types of Workplace Accidents
Even if you work in a small operation or an office-setting, a workplace accident can happen anywhere, anytime. At Drummond Law, we see them every day. Here are the most common types of workplace accidents that qualify for work comp.
- Falls, slips, and trips – This is the first thing many people think about in regard to a workplace accident. Injuries can result from poor lighting, spills, debris in walkways, and icy, wet, oily, or uneven surfaces. You may be entitled to workmans comp if you suffered an injury because the employer should’ve taken acts to prevent this injury, such as fixing broken lights, putting proper safety signs up, non-slip mats, de-icing walkways, etc.
- Being hit by an object – This is common in careers that involve heavy machinery, such as construction, manufacturing, and farming. A person may be struck by a swinging, rolling, flying, or falling object causing blunt-force trauma. Employers should ensure that all hazards are identified and give their workers proper warnings and gear to protect against them.
- Explosions, fire, electrocution – This can be caused by exposed wiring, faulty electrical outlets, combustible materials, open flames, and gas lines. In addition to the burns these cause, further injuries include internal organ damage, respiratory issues, and in the worst cases, death.
- Vehicular accidents – These involve people who may drive for a living (such as truck drivers), those who are driving while performing a work-related task, or those who spend their time working near other cars on the road or machinery. Whether or not this is seen as personal injury or work comp will depend on your specific case.
- Repetitive stress and overexertion – If your job involves a lot of pulling, pushing, lifting, throwing, carrying, and holding motions, it can lead to lasting effects such as lower-back injuries, chronic joint pain, carpal tunnel, muscle strain, and more. A worker might be entitled to a work comp claim because employers should provide protective gear and allow frequent breaks.
- Work-related illness – For example, working in an older building may expose you to asbestos which may cause a rare form of cancer called mesothelioma. Other types of toxic, chemical, or illness exposures may be common in everything from corporate offices to manufacturing plants. Whether the onset of the illness took place over the years or in a shortened period of time, you may still be entitled to a claim.
What to Do If Your Work Comp Claim Is Denied
In far too many cases, employers will try to skirt responsibility for the injuries their employees faced while on the job. If this is happening to you, you must file a Claim Petition for Workers’ Compensation benefits in court. Verifying your injury or disability is often one of the most onerous components of fighting for the benefits you are entitled to, so it’s critical to partner with a Adams County work comp attorney to protect your rights.
Your work comp attorney will:
- Help verify that you cannot work and need compensation
- Discover all the ways how your employer did not take proper safety precautions or let your workplace run the risk of injury
- Fill out the paperwork on your behalf to petition for benefits
- Gather all necessary information to include in the petition
- Represent you in front of the various levels of the appellate courts
Speak to Our Work Comp Attorneys in Adams County, IL | Contact Drummond Law
We get that being injured on the job and thus not being able to provide for your family is a troubling experience, and that you have the right to be compensated for your troubles. Since 1976, Drummond Law has been helping people in Adams County receive work comp benefits after an injury has put them out. To get in touch with our work comp attorneys in Adams County, IL, for a free case review, please contact us or call 800-842-0426.