Workers’ Compensation
Work Comp Attorney in Pinckneyville, IL
Work Comp Attorney in Pinckneyville, IL. When an illness or injury occurs while at work, you have every right to seek compensation so that you can continue to provide for you 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 oftentimes complicated no matter the state you live in. Any error you make could result in your employer or the insurance company denying your claim.
At Drummond Law, our work comp attorneys will take 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 the insurance company and your employer for just 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 Pinckneyville, IL, at Drummond Law today. Please contact us or call 800-842-0426 for a free consultation.
How to File a Workers’ Comp Claim With the Help of a Work Comp Attorney in Pinckneyville, IL
Injuries may 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 repetitive stress, toxic exposure, etc.) Both types of injuries are equally valid and equally meriting of compensation.
No work injury is ever too minor, and you shouldn’t take them lightly. As soon as you are injured at work, time is of the essence. 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 – 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 attention as soon as possible – 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 past and present 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.
- Contact a qualified work comp attorney in Pinckneyville, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against state and local government employers, private industry, and more.
Our experienced work comp attorneys in Pinckneyville listen to you and know that your injuries are valid. We’ll shoulder some of the burdens you face during a time that is already stressful. If you have 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 Pinckneyville?
The laws vary by state, but generally you are entitled to workers’ compensation if you’re a legal employee and you’ve been injured while performing a work-related task. Statute of limitations do apply, so file your claim in a timely manner.
Settlements for work comp claims usually 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 well-acquainted with all the regulations, rules, and laws associated with the often complicated work comp legal process, so contact us to learn more now.
Common 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 types of workplace injuries that are eligible for workers’ compensation.
- Slips, falls, and trips – This is the number one thing most people think of when they imagine a workplace accident. Injuries can result from spills, debris in walkways, poor lighting, oily surfaces, ice, and uneven walking surfaces. You are entitled to workmans comp if you sustained one of these injuries because the employer should’ve taken measures 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 physically-demanding environments with lots of machinery, such as construction, manufacturing, and farming. A person may be struck by a flying, rolling, falling, or swinging object causing 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, combustible materials, open flames, and gas lines. Beyond just the burns these cause, the injuries can 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 personal injury or work comp depends on the facts of your case.
- Overexertion or repetitive stress – If your job involves a lot of pulling, pushing, lifting, throwing, carrying, and holding motions, it can lead to lasting effects such as chronic joint pain, muscle strain, carpal tunnel, lower-back injuries, 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 – 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 illness, chemical, or toxic exposures can occur 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. When this happens, you must file a Claim Petition for Workers’ Compensation benefits in court. Proving your disability or injury is often one of the most challenging aspects of fighting for the benefits you are entitled to, so it’s vitally important to partner with a Pinckneyville work comp attorney throughout this process.
Your work comp attorney will:
- Help you prove your inability to work and need for benefits
- 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 front of the various levels of the appellate courts
Hire Our Work Comp Attorneys in Pinckneyville, 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 our founding, our mission at Drummond Law has been to help people in Pinckneyville get the help they need. To speak to our work comp attorneys in Pinckneyville, IL, for a free case discussion, feel free to contact us or call 800-842-0426.