Workers’ Compensation
Work Comp Attorney in Pawnee, IL
Work Comp Attorney in Pawnee, 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 complex no matter the state you live in. Any misstep you take could result in your employer or the insurance company denying your claim.
At Drummond Law, our work comp attorneys want to help take you through every phase of the process. We can fill out critical paperwork for you, facilitate necessary communication with all involved parties, 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 Pawnee, IL, at Drummond Law now. Do not hesitate 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 Pawnee, IL
Injuries may result from either one single traumatic event (such as a machine-related accident, slip and fall, electrocution, etc.) or they can develop over time (such as repetitive trauma, toxic exposure, etc.) Both types of injuries are equally valid and equally worthy of compensation.
No work injury is ever too minor, and you shouldn’t minimize them. 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 important steps to follow:
- Tell your manager, HR representative, or employer 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 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.
- Obtain ALL copies of past and present medical reports – No piece of information is unimportant when it comes to your health and wellbeing.
- 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 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.
- Get in touch with a qualified work comp attorney in Pawnee, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against private industry, state and local government employers, and more.
Our knowledgeable work comp attorneys in Pawnee 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 workmans comp benefits you need.
Am I Eligible For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Pawnee?
The laws vary by state, but generally you are entitled to workers’ compensation if you’re a legal employee and you’ve been hurt while performing a work-related duty. Statute of limitations do apply, so do not delaying in filing your claim.
Settlements for workers’ compensation claims usually include medical bills, loss of affection and income, mileage and rehabilitation reimbursement, pain and suffering, and other costs 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 give us a call today.
Common Workplace Accidents
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 workplace accidents that are eligible for workmans comp.
- Slips, falls, and trips – This is the number one thing most people think about in regard to 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 workmans comp if you sustained an injury because the employer should have taken acts to prevent this injury, such as fixing broken lights, putting proper safety signs up, non-slip mats, de-icing walkways, etc.
- Being hit by an object – This is common in careers that involve heavy machinery, such as construction, manufacturing, and farming. A person may 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.
- Explosions, fire, electrocution – This can result from exposed wiring, faulty electrical outlets, combustible materials, open flames, and gas lines. In addition to the burns these cause, the injuries can include internal organ damage, respiratory issues, and in the worst cases, death.
- Vehicle-related 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 machinery or other cars on the road. Whether or not this is considered personal injury or work comp depends on the facts of your case.
- Overexertion or repetitive stress – If your job involves a lot of throwing, lifting, carrying, pulling, holding, and pushing motions, it can lead to lasting effects 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 – In many cases, working in an old building may expose you to asbestos which causes 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 in a short amount of time or over years, you may still be eligible for a claim.
What to Do If Your Workers’ Compensation 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. Proving your disability or injury is often one of the most difficult parts of fighting for the benefits you are entitled to, so it’s vitally important to partner with a Pawnee 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
- File all paperwork on your behalf
- Ensure that all necessary information is included in the petition
- Represent you in the meditation hearing and trial, if necessary
Hire Our Work Comp Attorneys in Pawnee, 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 Pawnee receive work comp benefits after an injury has put them out. To get in touch with our work comp attorneys in Pawnee, IL, for a free case review, feel free to contact us or call 800-842-0426.