Workers’ Compensation
Work Comp Attorney in Coles County, IL
Work Comp Attorney in Coles County, 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 oftentimes complicated no matter what part of the country you call home. Any misstep you take could result in the insurance company or your employer contesting your claim.
At Drummond Law, our work injury lawyers want to help guide you through every phase of the process. We can fill out critical paperwork for you, facilitate necessary communication with all involved parties, and negotiate with your employer and their insurance company for full 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 Coles County, IL, at Drummond Law today. Please contact us or call 800-842-0426 for a free consultation.
How to File a Workers’ Comp Claim With the Help of a Work Comp Attorney in Coles County, IL
Injuries can result from either one single traumatic event (like a slip and fall, electrocution, machine-related accident, etc.) or they can occur over time (such as repetitive trauma, toxic exposure, etc.) Both types of injuries are equally valid and equally meriting of compensation.
No work injury is ever too small, and you shouldn’t brush one aside. As soon as you are injured at work, time is of the essence. Filing a workers’ compensation claim should be the first option to explore. Here are important steps to follow:
- Notify 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.
- Get medical attention as soon as you can – 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 reports – No piece of information 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 the injury to the workers’ compensation insurance company – They will review your claim and you will receive either an approval or denial of the claim.
- Speak to a qualified work comp attorney in Coles County, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against private industry, state and local government employers, and more.
Our experienced work comp attorneys in Coles County listen to you and believe that your injuries are legitimate. We will take some of the load off of your shoulders during a time that is no doubt stressful enough. If you have been injured on the job, Drummond Law can help you get the workers’ comp benefits you need.
Am I Eligible For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Coles County?
The laws are different from state to state, but in general you’re eligible for workers’ compensation if you’re a legal employee and you have been hurt while performing a job-related responsibility. Statute of limitations do apply, so do not delaying in filing your claim.
Settlements for workers’ compensation claims generally 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 regulations, rules, and laws associated with the often muddled work comp legal process, so contact us today.
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 take on cases with a variety of accident causes. Here are the most common kinds of work injuries that qualify for work comp.
- Slips, falls, and trips – This is the number one thing many people think about in regard to a work accident. Injuries can result from ice, spills, uneven walking surfaces, poor lighting, debris in walkways, and oily surfaces. You are entitled to workmans comp if you suffer an injury 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.
- Contact with an object – This is common in physically-demanding environments with lots of machinery, including construction, manufacturing, and farming. A person may be hit by a flying, rolling, falling, or swinging 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.
- Electrocution, fire, explosion – This can result from faulty electrical outlets, open flames, gas lines, improperly-stored combustible materials, and exposed wiring. In addition to the burns these cause, the injuries can 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 anyone who spends time working near other cars on the road or machinery. Whether or not this is considered personal injury or work comp depends on the facts of your case.
- Overexertion or repetitive stress – If your job involves a lot of throwing, lifting, carrying, pulling, holding, and pushing motions, it can lead to long-term physical harm including 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 allow frequent breaks and provide protective gear.
- 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 can occur in everything from manufacturing facilities to corporate offices. 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 Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Denied
In far too many cases, employers will try to skirt responsibility for the injuries their employees faced while on the job. When this happens, you must file a Claim Petition for Workers’ Compensation benefits in court. Proving your disability or injury is often one of the most difficult aspects of the fight for the benefits you are owed, so it’s vitally important to partner with a Coles County work comp attorney to protect your rights.
Your work comp attorney will:
- Help you prove your inability to work and need for benefits
- Discover all the ways how your employer did not take proper safety precautions or let your workplace run the risk of injury
- File all paperwork on your behalf
- 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 Coles County, IL | Contact Drummond Law
We understand how stressful it can be if you are injured on the job and cannot work and adequately provide for your family. For more than 45 years, Drummond Law has been helping Coles County workers get the benefits they deserve after getting hurt on the job. To speak to our work comp attorneys in Coles County, IL, for a free case discussion, please contact us or call 800-842-0426.