Workers’ Compensation
Work Comp Attorney in Mt. Olive, IL
Work Comp Attorney in Mt. Olive, 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 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 will take 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 your employer and their insurance company 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, talk to a work comp attorney in Mt. Olive, IL, at Drummond Law now. Feel free to contact us or call 800-842-0426 for a free case review.
Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim With the Help of a Work Comp Attorney in Mt. Olive, 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 types of injuries are equally valid and equally deserving of compensation.
No work injury is ever too small, and you shouldn’t minimize them. The moment you discover a work-related injury, time is quite literally money. Filing a workers’ compensation claim should be the first option to explore. Here are the steps below:
- Inform 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 treatment 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 document is unimportant when it comes to your health and wellness.
- 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.
- Ensure that your employer reports the injury to the workers’ compensation insurance company – They’ll review your claim and you will receive either an approval or contest of the claim.
- Get in touch with a qualified work comp attorney in Mt. Olive, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against private industry, state and local government employers, and more.
Our experienced work comp attorneys in Mt. Olive listen to you and believe that your work injury is legitimate. We’ll shoulder some of the burdens you face during a time that is already stressful. 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 Mt. Olive?
The laws vary by state, but generally you are eligible for workers’ compensation if you’re a legal employee and you’ve been injured while performing a work-related responsibility. Statute of limitations do apply, so file your claim as soon as possible.
Settlements for workers’ compensation claims typically include medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of affection and income, mileage and rehabilitation reimbursement, and other expenses related to a workplace incident. We are familiar with all the regulations, rules, and laws associated with the often confusing work comp legal process, so contact us 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 kinds of work injuries that qualify for workmans comp.
- Falls, slips, and trips – This is the number one thing most people think about in regard to a workplace accident. Injuries can be caused by poor lighting, spills, debris in walkways, and icy, wet, oily, or uneven surfaces. You may be entitled to workmans comp if you suffered an injury because the employer should have taken measures 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 can be hit 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 result from exposed wiring, faulty electrical outlets, combustible materials, open flames, and gas lines. Beyond just the burns these cause, the injuries can include respiratory issues, internal damage, 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 viewed as 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 allow frequent breaks and provide protective gear.
- Work-related illness – For example, 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 can occur in everything from corporate offices to manufacturing plants. 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
Countless employers and their insurers attempt to escape responsibility for injuries that their employees suffer at the workplace. 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 aspects of the fight for the benefits you are owed, so it’s critical to partner with a Mt. Olive work comp attorney to protect your rights.
Your work comp attorney will:
- Help verify that you cannot work and need compensation
- Investigate the ways in which your employer may have acted with negligence causing your workplace injury
- Fill out the paperwork on your behalf to petition for benefits
- Ensure that all necessary information is included in the petition
- Represent you in front of the various levels of the appellate courts
Speak to Our Work Comp Attorneys in Mt. Olive, 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 Mt. Olive get the help they need. To get in touch with our work comp attorneys in Mt. Olive, IL, for a free case discussion, please contact us or call 800-842-0426.