Workers’ Compensation
Work Comp Attorney in Madison County, IL
Work Comp Attorney in Madison 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 complex no matter where you live. Any mistake you make could result in your employer or the insurance company denying your claim.
At Drummond Law, our work injury lawyers will guide you through every phase of the process. 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.
For help filing for workers’ compensation or any other issues regarding your claim, speak with a work comp attorney in Madison County, IL, at Drummond Law today. Feel free to contact us or call 800-842-0426 for a free case review.
How to File a Work Comp Claim With the Help of a Work Comp Attorney in Madison County, IL
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 types of injuries are equally valid and equally meriting of compensation.
No work injury is ever too small, and you shouldn’t brush one aside. 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:
- Tell 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.
- Seek 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.
- Hold on to ALL copies of present and past healthcare reports – No piece of information is unimportant when it comes to your wellbeing and health.
- 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.
- Ensure that your employer reports the injury to the workers’ compensation insurance company – They’ll look over your claim and you will receive either an approval or denial of the claim.
- Speak to an experienced work comp attorney in Madison County, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against state and local government employers, private industry, and more.
Our knowledgeable work comp attorneys in Madison County listen to you and believe that your injuries are 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 Madison County?
The laws vary by state, but generally you are eligible for workers’ compensation if you are considered 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 incident. We’re familiar with all the regulations, rules, and laws associated with the often confusing work comp legal process, so contact us today.
Most 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 workers’ compensation.
- Slips, falls, and trips – This is the first thing most people imagine when thinking about a work accident. Injuries can be caused by poor lighting, spills, debris in walkways, and icy, wet, oily, or uneven surfaces. You are entitled to a work comp claim if you suffered 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.
- Getting struck by an object – This is common in careers that involve heavy machinery, including construction, manufacturing, and farming. A person can 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 exposed wiring, faulty electrical outlets, combustible materials, open flames, and gas lines. Beyond just 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 machinery or other cars on the road. Whether or not this is viewed as a work comp or personal injury claim depends 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 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 older building may expose you to asbestos which causes a cancer known as 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 injury or disability is often one of the most challenging parts of victims’ fights for benefits, so it’s crucial to partner with a Madison County work comp attorney throughout this process.
A work comp attorney at Drummond Law 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
- Submit your petition for benefits
- Gather all necessary information to include in the petition
- Represent you in front of the various levels of the appellate courts
Get in Touch With Our Work Comp Attorneys in Madison County, IL | Contact Drummond Law
We believe that hardworking individuals who’ve fallen victim to a workplace injury are entitled to maximum benefits. Since our founding, our mission at Drummond Law has been to help people in Madison County get the help they need. To speak to our work comp attorneys in Madison County, IL, for a free case review, please contact us or call 800-842-0426.