Workers’ Compensation
Work Comp Attorney in Belleville, IL
Work Comp Attorney in Belleville, IL. After a hardworking individual suffers an injury while on the job, they shouldn’t have to worry about how they will provide for themselves and their 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 where you live. Any mistake you make could result in the insurance company or your employer rejecting your claim.
At Drummond Law, our work comp attorneys will guide 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 your employer and their insurance company 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, talk to a work comp attorney in Belleville, IL, at Drummond Law now. Feel free to contact us or call 800-842-0426 for a free document review.
Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim With the Help of a Work Comp Attorney in Belleville, IL
Injuries can result from either one single traumatic event (such as a machine-related accident, slip and fall, electrocution, etc.) or they can develop over time (such as toxic exposure, repetitive stress, etc.) Both types of injuries are equally valid and equally meriting of compensation.
No work injury is ever too minor, and you should never minimize them. As soon as you are injured at work, time is of the essence. You need to explore your options for filing a workers’ compensation claim. Here are several important steps to take:
- Tell your employer, manager or HR rep 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 care as soon as possible – Inform the doctor that the injury happened while at work and tell them the name of your employer. Also, be sure to follow all of the doctor’s orders for treatment, because failure to do so may jeopardize your claim.
- Obtain ALL copies of past and present medical records – No document is unimportant when it comes to your health and wellbeing.
- File an Application for Adjustment of Claim – If you anticipate that your employer may need to be forced to pay for your benefits now and into the future, you should file this form.
- Ensure that your employer reports your injury to the workers’ compensation insurance company – They’ll review your claim and you will receive either an approval or denial of the claim.
- Speak to an experienced work comp attorney in Belleville, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against state and local government employers, private industry, and more.
Our knowledgeable work comp attorneys in Belleville listen to you and believe that your injuries are legitimate. We can help shoulder some of the burdens you face during what is already a stressful time. If you have been injured on the job, Drummond Law can help you get the work comp benefits you need.
Am I Eligible For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Belleville?
The laws vary by state, but generally you are eligible for workers’ compensation if you’re a legal employee and you’ve been injured while performing a work-related duty. Statute of limitations do apply, so file your claim in a timely manner.
Settlements for work comp claims typically include medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of affection and income, mileage and rehabilitation reimbursement, and other costs related to a workplace incident. We’re familiar with all the regulations, rules, and laws associated with the often complicated work comp legal process, so give us a call to learn more now.
Common Work Injuries
Any number of accidents can happen when you are working somewhere for eight hours a day, five days a week. At Drummond Law, we take on cases with a variety of accident causes. Here are the most common types of work injuries that qualify for workers’ compensation.
- Falls, slips, and trips – This is the main thing many people imagine when thinking about a work accident. Injuries can be caused by poor lighting, spills, debris in walkways, and icy, wet, oily, or uneven surfaces. You may be entitled to a work comp claim if you sustained one of these injuries because the employer should have taken acts to prevent this injury, such as fixing broken lights, non-slip mats, proper safety signage, de-icing walkways, etc.
- Contact with an object – This is common in careers that involve heavy machinery, including manufacturing, construction, and farming. A person may be struck by a flying, rolling, falling, or swinging object resulting in blunt-force trauma. The employer should cover this type of work injury because they had a duty to properly train employees, supply appropriate protective gear, post signs of imminent danger, etc.
- Electrocution, fire, explosion – This can be caused by faulty electrical outlets, open flames, gas lines, improperly-stored combustible materials, and exposed wiring. Beyond just the burns these cause, further injuries include internal organ damage, respiratory issues, and in the worst cases, death.
- Vehicular accidents – These involve anyone who was driving while performing a work-related task, people who may drive for a living (such as truck drivers), or those who spend their time working near machinery or other cars on the road. Whether or not this is seen as a work comp or personal injury claim will depend on your specific case.
- Repetitive stress and overexertion – If your job involves a lot of throwing, lifting, carrying, pulling, holding, and pushing motions, it can lead to long-term physical harm such as chronic joint pain, muscle strain, carpal tunnel, lower-back injuries, and more. A worker may be entitled to a work comp claim because employers should allow frequent breaks and provide protective gear.
- Work-related illness – In many cases, working in an old building may expose you to asbestos which may cause a rare form of cancer called mesothelioma. Other types of illness, chemical, or toxic exposures can occur 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 eligible for a claim.
What to Do If Your Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Denied
Countless employers and their insurers attempt to escape responsibility for injuries that their employees suffer at the workplace. When this happens, you must file a Claim Petition for Workers’ Compensation benefits in court. Proving your injury or disability is often one of the most difficult components of victims’ fights for benefits, so it’s critical to work with a Belleville work comp attorney throughout this process.
Your work comp attorney will:
- Help you prove your inability to work and need for benefits
- Investigate the ways in which your employer may have acted with negligence causing your workplace injury
- Submit your petition for benefits
- Gather all necessary information to include in the petition
- Represent you in the meditation hearing and trial, if necessary
Speak to Our Work Comp Attorneys in Belleville, IL | Contact Drummond Law
We believe that hardworking individuals who’ve fallen victim to a workplace injury are entitled to maximum benefits. Since our founding, our mission at Drummond Law has been to help people in Belleville get the help they need. To speak to our work comp attorneys in Belleville, IL, for a free case discussion, please contact us or call 800-842-0426.