Workers’ Compensation
Work Comp Attorney in Jefferson County, IL
Work Comp Attorney in Jefferson County, 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 where you live. Any mistake you make could result in your employer or the insurance company contesting your claim.
At Drummond Law, our work injury lawyers 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 have been injured on the job and need help filing a workers’ compensation claim or appealing a denial, talk to a work comp attorney in Jefferson County, IL, at Drummond Law today. Feel free to contact us or call 800-842-0426 for a free case review.
Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim With the Help of a Work Comp Attorney in Jefferson County, IL
Injuries can result from either one single traumatic event (like a slip and fall, electrocution, machine-related accident, etc.) or they can develop over time (such as repetitive stress, toxic exposure, etc.) Both kinds of injuries are equally valid and equally meriting 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. You need to explore your options for filing a workers’ compensation claim. 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 care 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.
- Hold on to ALL copies of present and past healthcare reports – No document 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 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.
- Speak to a qualified work comp attorney in Jefferson County, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against private industry, state and local government employers, and more.
Our compassionate work comp attorneys in Jefferson County listen to you and believe that your work injury is valid. We will take some of the load off of your shoulders during a time that is no doubt stressful enough. If you’ve been injured on the job, Drummond Law can help you get the work comp benefits you are entitled to.
Am I Eligible For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Jefferson County?
Laws differ depending on state, but in general you are 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 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 accident. We’re well-acquainted with all the regulations, rules, and laws associated with the often muddled work comp legal process, so contact us to learn more now.
Common 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 workers’ compensation.
- Falls, slips, and trips – This is the first thing most people imagine when thinking about a workplace accident. Injuries can result from ice, spills, uneven walking surfaces, poor lighting, debris in walkways, and oily surfaces. You are entitled to a work comp claim if you suffered one of these injuries because the employer should have taken steps 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 physically-demanding environments with lots of machinery, such as construction, manufacturing, and farming. A person may be hit by a swinging, flying, falling, or rolling object resulting in blunt-force trauma. Employers should ensure that all hazards are identified and give their workers proper warnings and gear to protect against them.
- Explosions, fire, electrocution – This can be caused by faulty electrical outlets, open flames, gas lines, improperly-stored combustible materials, and exposed wiring. Beyond just the burns these cause, the injuries can include respiratory issues, internal damage, 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 considered a work comp or personal injury claim 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 may be entitled to a work comp claim because employers should provide protective gear and allow frequent breaks.
- Work-related illness – For example, working in an older building may expose you to asbestos which causes 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 in a short amount of time or over years, you may still be entitled to a claim.
What to Do If Your Work Comp 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. Verifying your injury or disability is often one of the most difficult components of the fight for the benefits you are owed, so it’s critical to work with a Jefferson County work comp attorney to protect your rights.
Your work comp attorney will:
- Help verify that you cannot work and need compensation
- Uncover the ways in which your employer failed to take adequate safety measures or allowed your work environment to become a risk
- Fill out the paperwork on your behalf to petition for benefits
- Ensure that all necessary information is included in the petition
- Represent you in the meditation hearing and trial, if necessary
Get in Touch With Our Work Comp Attorneys in Jefferson County, IL | Contact Drummond Law
We get that being injured on the job and thus not being able to provide for your family is a troubling experience, and that you have the right to be compensated for your troubles. For more than 45 years, Drummond Law has been helping Jefferson County workers get the benefits they deserve after getting hurt on the job. To speak to our work comp attorneys in Jefferson County, IL, for a free case evaluation, feel free to contact us or call 800-842-0426.