Workers’ Compensation
Work Comp Attorney in Piatt County, IL
Work Comp Attorney in Piatt County, 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 mistake you make could result in the insurance company or your employer denying your claim.
At Drummond Law, our work injury lawyers 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 fair and just 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 Piatt County, IL, at Drummond Law today. Do not hesitate to contact us or call 800-842-0426 for a free consultation.
Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim With the Help of a Work Comp Attorney in Piatt 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 toxic exposure, repetitive stress, etc.) Both kinds of injuries are equally valid and equally worthy of compensation.
No work injury is ever insignificant, and you shouldn’t take them lightly. 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 the steps below:
- Inform 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.
- Seek medical care 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.
- Keep track of ALL copies of past and present medical records – No document 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.
- Make sure 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 contest of the claim.
- Speak to a qualified work comp attorney in Piatt County, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against private industry, state and local government employers, and more.
Our knowledgeable work comp attorneys in Piatt County listen to you and believe that your work injury is legitimate. We will take some of the load off of your shoulders during a time that is no doubt stressful enough. If you have been injured on the job, Drummond Law can help you get the workers’ comp benefits you are entitled to.
Am I Eligible For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Piatt County?
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 job-related task. Statute of limitations do apply, so file your claim in a timely manner.
Settlements for workers’ compensation claims usually include medical bills, loss of affection and income, mileage and rehabilitation reimbursement, pain and suffering, and other expenses related to a workplace accident. We are familiar with all the regulations, rules, and laws associated with the often muddled work comp legal process, so speak with us to learn more now.
Types of Workplace Accidents
Any number of accidents can happen when you are working somewhere for eight hours a day, five days a week. At Drummond Law, we see them every day. Here are the most common types of workplace injuries that qualify for workmans comp.
- Falls, slips, and trips – This is the main thing many people imagine when thinking about a work accident. Injuries can result from ice, spills, uneven walking surfaces, poor lighting, debris in walkways, and oily surfaces. You may be entitled to workmans comp if you sustained an injury because the employer should have 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, 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 result from exposed wiring, faulty electrical outlets, gas lines, combustible materials, and open flames. 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 people who may drive for a living (such as truck drivers), those who are driving while performing a work-related task, or those who spend their time working near machinery or other cars on the road. Whether or not this is seen as a work comp or personal injury claim depends on the facts of your case.
- Repetitive stress and overexertion – If your job involves a lot of pulling, pushing, lifting, throwing, carrying, and holding 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 allow frequent breaks and provide protective gear.
- 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 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
Far too many times, employers will shirk their responsibilities when their workers get injured on the job. If this is happening to you, you must file a Claim Petition for Workers’ Compensation benefits in court. Verifying your disability or injury is often one of the most onerous components of the fight for the benefits you are owed, so it’s crucial to work with a Piatt County work comp attorney to protect your rights.
A work comp attorney at Drummond Law will:
- Help verify that you cannot work and need compensation
- Discover all the ways how your employer did not take proper safety precautions or let your workplace run the risk of injury
- Fill out the paperwork on your behalf to 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 Piatt 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. Since 1976, Drummond Law has been helping people in Piatt County receive work comp benefits after an injury has put them out. To speak to our work comp attorneys in Piatt County, IL, for a free case evaluation, please contact us or call 800-842-0426.