Workers’ Compensation
Work Comp Attorney in Carlinville, IL
Work Comp Attorney in Carlinville, 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 complicated no matter where you live. Any error you make could result in the insurance company or your employer contesting your claim.
At Drummond Law, our work injury lawyers will guide you through every aspect of your claim from beginning to end. We can fill out critical paperwork for you, facilitate necessary communication with all involved parties, and negotiate with the insurance company and your employer for fair and just compensation.
For help filing for workers’ compensation or any other issues regarding your claim, talk to a work comp attorney in Carlinville, IL, at Drummond Law today. Feel free to contact us or call 800-842-0426 for a free case review.
Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim With the Help of a Work Comp Attorney in Carlinville, IL
Injuries may result from either one single traumatic event (like a machine-related accident, slip and fall, electrocution, etc.) or they can develop over time (such as repetitive trauma, toxic exposure, etc.) Both kinds of injuries are equally valid and equally worthy of compensation.
No work injury is ever too minor, 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 employer, manager or HR rep about the injury – You should also insist they fill out an accident report as soon as possible. Furthermore, it is good practice to give them a written notice within 45 days of the incident detailing the date of the accident and a short description of the injury.
- Get 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.
- Hold on to ALL copies of past and present medical reports – No document is unimportant when it comes to your health and wellness.
- 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.
- Make sure that your employer reports your injury to the workers’ compensation insurance company – They’ll look over your claim and you will receive either an approval or contest of the claim.
- Get in touch with an experienced work comp attorney in Carlinville, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against private industry, state and local government employers, and more.
Our seasoned work comp attorneys in Carlinville listen to you and believe that your work injury is 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 workmans comp benefits you need.
Am I Eligible For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Carlinville?
The laws vary by state, but generally you are eligible for workers’ compensation if you’re a legal employee and you have been hurt while performing a work-related duty. Statute of limitations do apply, so do not delaying in filing your claim.
Settlements for workers’ compensation claims usually include mileage and rehabilitation reimbursement, medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of affection and income, and other expenses related to a workplace accident. We’re familiar with all the laws, regulations, and rules associated with the often confusing work comp legal process, so give us a call today.
Types of Workplace Accidents
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 kinds of workplace injuries that qualify for workers’ compensation.
- Falls, slips, and trips – This is the number one thing most people think about in regard to a workplace accident. Injuries can result from spills, debris in walkways, poor lighting, oily surfaces, ice, and uneven walking surfaces. You may be entitled to a work comp claim if you suffered one of these injuries because the employer should’ve taken steps to prevent this injury, such as putting proper safety signs in place, non-slip mats, de-icing walkways, fixing broken lights, 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. 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.
- Explosions, fire, electrocution – This can be caused by exposed wiring, faulty electrical outlets, gas lines, combustible materials, and open flames. Besides the burns these cause, further injuries include internal organ damage, respiratory issues, and in the worst cases, death.
- Vehicle-related 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 anyone who spends time working near other cars on the road or machinery. Whether or not this is viewed as personal injury or work comp depends 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 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 – In many cases, working in an old building may expose you to asbestos which may cause a cancer known as 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 in a short amount of time or over years, you may still be eligible for a claim.
What to Do If Your Workers’ Comp Claim Is Denied
Far too many times, employers will shirk their responsibilities when their workers get injured on the job. 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 parts of fighting for the benefits you are entitled to, so it’s crucial to work with a Carlinville work comp attorney to protect your rights.
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
- File all paperwork on your behalf
- Ensure that all necessary information is included in the petition
- Represent you in front of the various levels of the appellate courts
Hire Our Work Comp Attorneys in Carlinville, 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 Carlinville get the help they need. To get in touch with our work comp attorneys in Carlinville, IL, for a free case review, feel free to contact us or call 800-842-0426.