Workers’ Compensation
Work Comp Attorney in Filmore, IL
Work Comp Attorney in Filmore, 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 complicated no matter what part of the country you call home. Any mistake you make could result in your employer or the insurance company denying your claim.
At Drummond Law, our work injury lawyers want to help guide you through the process from start to finish. 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 fair and just compensation.
If you’ve been hurt on the job and need assistance with any issues relating to a work comp claim, talk to a work comp attorney in Filmore, IL, at Drummond Law now. Feel free to contact us or call 800-842-0426 for a free document review.
How to File a Workers’ Comp Claim With the Help of a Work Comp Attorney in Filmore, IL
Injuries may result from either one single traumatic event (such as a slip and fall, electrocution, machine-related accident, etc.) or they can occur over time (such as toxic exposure, repetitive trauma, etc.) Both kinds of injuries are equally valid and equally worthy of compensation.
No work injury is ever too small, and you should never brush one aside. 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 several important steps to take:
- Tell 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 treatment as soon as you can – 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 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 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 look over your claim and you will receive either an approval or denial of the claim.
- Contact an experienced work comp attorney in Filmore, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against state and local government employers, private industry, and more.
Our experienced work comp attorneys in Filmore listen to you and know that your work injury is valid. We’ll shoulder some of the burdens you face during a time that is already stressful. If you’ve been injured on the job, Drummond Law can help you get the workmans comp benefits you are entitled to.
Am I Eligible For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Filmore?
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 work-related task. Statute of limitations do apply, so file your claim as soon as possible.
Settlements for work comp claims typically include mileage and rehabilitation reimbursement, medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of affection and income, and other costs related to a workplace incident. We’re familiar with all the laws, regulations, and rules associated with the often complicated work comp legal process, so contact us to learn more now.
Most 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 see them every day. Here are the most common kinds of work injuries that qualify for work comp.
- Falls, slips, and trips – This is the first thing most people imagine when thinking about a work accident. Injuries can be caused by ice, spills, uneven walking surfaces, poor lighting, debris in walkways, and oily surfaces. You may be entitled to workmans comp if you suffer an injury because the employer should’ve taken measures to prevent this injury, such as fixing broken lights, putting proper safety signs up, non-slip mats, de-icing walkways, etc.
- Contact with 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, flying, falling, or rolling 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.
- Electrocution, fire, explosion – This can result from exposed wiring, faulty electrical outlets, gas lines, combustible materials, and open flames. In addition to 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 a work comp or personal injury claim will depend on your specific case.
- Overexertion or repetitive stress – If your job involves a lot of pulling, pushing, lifting, throwing, carrying, and holding motions, it can lead to long-term physical harm including lower-back injuries, chronic joint pain, carpal tunnel, muscle strain, and more. A worker may 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 rare form of cancer called mesothelioma. Other types of illness, chemical, or toxic exposures can occur in everything from manufacturing facilities to corporate offices. Whether the onset of the illness took place in a short amount of time or over years, 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 injury or disability is often one of the most difficult components of victims’ fights for benefits, so it’s crucial to partner with a Filmore 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
- Fill out the paperwork on your behalf to petition for benefits
- 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 Filmore, IL | Contact Drummond Law
We believe that hardworking individuals who’ve fallen victim to a workplace injury are entitled to maximum benefits. Since 1976, Drummond Law has been helping people in Filmore receive work comp benefits after an injury has put them out. To speak to our work comp attorneys in Filmore, IL, for a free case evaluation, feel free to contact us or call 800-842-0426.