Workers’ Compensation
Work Comp Attorney in Litchfield, IL
Work Comp Attorney in Litchfield, 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 where you live. Any error you make could result in your employer or the insurance company contesting your claim.
At Drummond Law, our work comp attorneys will guide you through every aspect of your claim from beginning to end. We can fill out crucial paperwork on your behalf, facilitate communication with all parties involved, and negotiate with your employer and their insurance company for fair and just 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 Litchfield, IL, at Drummond Law now. Feel free to contact us or call 800-842-0426 for a free case review.
Filing a Work Comp Claim With the Help of a Work Comp Attorney in Litchfield, IL
Injuries can result from either one single traumatic event (including a machine-related accident, slip and fall, electrocution, etc.) or they can develop over time (such as toxic exposure, repetitive stress, etc.) Both types of injuries are equally valid and equally worthy of compensation.
No work injury is ever too minor, 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. You need to explore your options for filing a workers’ compensation claim. Here are several important steps to take:
- Tell your employer, manager or HR rep about the injury – You should also insist they fill out an accident report as soon as possible. Furthermore, it is good practice to give them a written notice within 45 days of the incident detailing the date of the accident and a short description of the injury.
- 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 reports – No piece of information is unimportant when it comes to your health and wellness.
- 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 review your claim and you will receive either an approval or contest of the claim.
- Speak to a qualified work comp attorney in Litchfield, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against state and local government employers, private industry, and more.
Our seasoned work comp attorneys in Litchfield listen to you and know that your work injury is valid. We can help shoulder some of the burdens you face during what is already a stressful time. If you’ve been injured on the job, Drummond Law can help you get the workmans comp benefits you need.
Am I Eligible For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Litchfield?
Laws differ depending on state, but in general you are eligible for workers’ compensation if you’re a legal employee and you’ve been injured while performing a work-related duty. Statute of limitations do apply, so file your claim as soon as possible.
Settlements for workers’ compensation claims generally 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 familiar with all the laws, regulations, and rules associated with the often muddled work comp legal process, so give us a call today.
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 see them every day. Here are the most common kinds of workplace injuries that qualify for workers’ compensation.
- Slips, falls, and trips – This is the first thing most people think of when they imagine a work accident. Injuries can be caused by poor lighting, spills, debris in walkways, and icy, wet, oily, or uneven surfaces. You may be entitled to a work comp claim if you suffer one of these injuries 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.
- Getting struck 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, rolling, flying, or falling 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.
- Electrocution, fire, explosion – This can be caused by exposed wiring, faulty electrical outlets, gas lines, combustible materials, and open flames. Beyond just the burns these cause, the injuries can include respiratory issues, internal damage, 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 seen as a work comp or personal injury claim depends on the facts of your case.
- Overexertion or repetitive stress – If your job involves a lot of holding, throwing, pulling, carrying, pushing, and lifting motions, it can lead to long-term physical harm such as chronic joint pain, muscle strain, carpal tunnel, lower-back injuries, and more. A worker might 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 cancer known as mesothelioma. Other types of toxic, chemical, or illness 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 Work Comp Claim Is Denied
Countless employers and their insurers attempt to escape responsibility for injuries that their employees suffer at the workplace. 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 challenging parts of victims’ fights for benefits, so it’s crucial to partner with a Litchfield work comp attorney throughout this process.
A work comp attorney at Drummond Law 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 Litchfield, 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 Litchfield receive work comp benefits after an injury has put them out. To get in touch with our work comp attorneys in Litchfield, IL, for a free case review, feel free to contact us or call 800-842-0426.