Workers’ Compensation
Work Comp Attorney in Hardin County, IL
Work Comp Attorney in Hardin County, IL. When an illness or injury occurs while at work, you have every right to seek compensation so that you can continue to provide for you 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 oftentimes complicated no matter what part of the country you call home. Any misstep you take could result in your employer or the insurance company contesting your claim.
At Drummond Law, our work comp attorneys want to help guide you through the process from start to finish. We can facilitate communication with all parties involved, fill out crucial paperwork on your behalf, and negotiate with the insurance company and your employer for full and fair compensation.
If you’ve been hurt on the job and need assistance with any issues relating to a work comp claim, speak with a work comp attorney in Hardin County, IL, at Drummond Law now. Do not hesitate to contact us or call 800-842-0426 for a free document review.
How to File a Work Comp Claim With the Help of a Work Comp Attorney in Hardin County, IL
Injuries can result from either one single traumatic event (including a slip and fall, electrocution, machine-related accident, etc.) or they can develop over time (such as repetitive trauma, toxic exposure, etc.) Both types of injuries are equally valid and equally deserving of compensation.
No work injury is ever insignificant, and you shouldn’t 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. Filing a workers’ compensation claim should be the first option to explore. Here are the steps below:
- 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 treatment 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.
- Keep track of ALL copies of past and present medical records – No document is unimportant when it comes to your wellbeing and health.
- File an Application for Adjustment of Claim – If you think that your employer may not pay your benefits either now or in the future, file this form.
- Ensure that your employer reports your 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 a qualified work comp attorney in Hardin County, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against state and local government employers, private industry, and more.
Our seasoned work comp attorneys in Hardin County 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 work comp benefits you deserve.
Am I Eligible For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Hardin County?
The laws vary by state, but generally you are entitled to workers’ compensation if you are considered a legal employee and you’ve been injured while performing a job-related task. 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 expenses related to a workplace accident. We’re familiar with all the regulations, rules, and laws associated with the often muddled work comp legal process, so contact us today.
Common Work Injuries
Even if you work in a small operation or an office-setting, a workplace accident can happen anywhere, anytime. At Drummond Law, we see them every day. Here are the most common types of work accidents that qualify for workmans comp.
- Falls, slips, and trips – This is the number one thing many people imagine when thinking about a workplace accident. Injuries can be caused by spills, debris in walkways, poor lighting, oily surfaces, ice, and uneven walking surfaces. You may be entitled to workmans comp if you suffer an injury because the employer should’ve taken steps 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 physically-demanding environments with lots of machinery, including manufacturing, construction, 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 result from faulty electrical outlets, open flames, gas lines, improperly-stored combustible materials, and exposed wiring. Besides 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 anyone who spends time working near other cars on the road or machinery. Whether or not this is considered a work comp or personal injury claim will depend on your specific case.
- Repetitive stress and overexertion – If your job involves a lot of holding, throwing, pulling, carrying, pushing, and lifting 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 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 toxic, chemical, or illness exposures may be common 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’ Comp Claim Is Denied
Far too many times, employers will shirk their responsibilities when their workers get injured on the job. If this is happening to you, you must file a Claim Petition for Workers’ Compensation benefits in court. Proving your injury or disability is often one of the most onerous parts of victims’ fights for benefits, so it’s critical to work with a Hardin 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
- Submit your petition for benefits
- Gather all necessary information to include in the petition
- Represent you in the meditation hearing and trial, if necessary
Get in Touch With Our Work Comp Attorneys in Hardin 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 Hardin County workers get the benefits they deserve after getting hurt on the job. To speak to our work comp attorneys in Hardin County, IL, for a free case discussion, feel free to contact us or call 800-842-0426.