Workers’ Compensation
Work Comp Attorney in Franklin, MO
Work Comp Attorney in Franklin, MO. 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 where you live. Any error you make could result in your employer or the insurance company rejecting your claim.
At Drummond Law, our work comp attorneys will guide you through every phase of the process. 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.
For help filing for workers’ compensation or any other issues regarding your claim, speak with a work comp attorney in Franklin, MO, at Drummond Law today. Feel free to contact us or call 800-842-0426 for a free consultation.
Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim With the Help of a Work Comp Attorney in Franklin, MO
Injuries can result from either one single traumatic event (like a machine-related accident, slip and fall, electrocution, etc.) or they can occur over time (such as repetitive stress, toxic exposure, etc.) Both kinds of injuries are equally valid and equally worthy of compensation.
No work injury is ever insignificant, and you shouldn’t take them lightly. 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 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.
- Hold on to 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 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 will review your claim and you will receive either an approval or contest of the claim.
- Contact an experienced work comp attorney in Franklin, MO – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against state and local government employers, private industry, and more.
Our experienced work comp attorneys in Franklin listen to you and know that your work injury is 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 are entitled to.
Am I Eligible For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Franklin?
The laws are different from state to state, but in general you’re entitled to workers’ compensation if you’re a legal employee and you have been hurt while performing a work-related responsibility. Statute of limitations do apply, so do not delaying in filing your claim.
Settlements for workers’ compensation claims typically include medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of affection and income, mileage and rehabilitation reimbursement, and other costs related to a workplace accident. We’re well-acquainted with all the laws, regulations, and rules associated with the often complicated work comp legal process, so give us a call to learn more now.
Types of Work Injuries
No matter how relatively safe a place may be, an accident can happen anywhere. At Drummond Law, we see them every day. Here are the most common types of workplace accidents that qualify for work comp.
- Slips, falls, and trips – This is the main thing most people think about in regard to a work accident. Injuries can result from spills, debris in walkways, poor lighting, oily surfaces, ice, and uneven walking surfaces. You are entitled to a work comp claim if you suffered an injury because the employer should have taken measures to prevent this injury, such as fixing broken lights, non-slip mats, proper safety signage, de-icing walkways, etc.
- Being hit by an object – This is common in physically-demanding environments with lots of machinery, including construction, manufacturing, and farming. A person may be struck by a swinging, flying, falling, or rolling 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.
- Explosions, fire, electrocution – This can result from exposed wiring, faulty electrical outlets, combustible materials, open flames, and gas lines. Beyond just the burns these cause, the injuries can 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 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 lasting effects such as chronic joint pain, muscle strain, carpal tunnel, lower-back injuries, and more. A worker might be entitled to a workers’ compensation 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 may be common 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 eligible for 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. If this is happening to you, you must file a Claim Petition for Workers’ Compensation benefits in court. Verifying your disability or injury is often one of the most difficult components of fighting for the benefits you are entitled to, so it’s vitally important to work with a Franklin work comp attorney throughout this process.
Your work comp attorney will:
- Prove to the courts your injury and need for compensation
- 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
- 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 Franklin, MO | 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. Since 1976, Drummond Law has been helping people in Franklin receive work comp benefits after an injury has put them out. To speak to our work comp attorneys in Franklin, MO, for a free case review, please contact us or call 800-842-0426.