Workers’ Compensation
Work Comp Attorney in Rock Island, IL
Work Comp Attorney in Rock Island, 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 often complex no matter where you live. Any error you make could result in the insurance company or your employer rejecting your claim.
At Drummond Law, our work injury lawyers want to help 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 your employer and their insurance company 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 Rock Island, IL, at Drummond Law now. Please contact us or call 800-842-0426 for a free document review.
Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim With the Help of a Work Comp Attorney in Rock Island, IL
Injuries can result from either one single traumatic event (like a slip and fall, electrocution, machine-related accident, etc.) or they can occur over time (such as toxic exposure, repetitive stress, etc.) Both kinds of injuries are equally valid and equally deserving 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 several important steps to take:
- 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.
- Seek medical attention 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 reports – 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 will review your claim and you will receive either an approval or contest of the claim.
- Speak to an experienced work comp attorney in Rock Island, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against private industry, state and local government employers, and more.
Our compassionate work comp attorneys in Rock Island listen to you and know 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’ve been injured on the job, Drummond Law can help you get the workmans comp benefits you deserve.
Am I Eligible For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Rock Island?
Laws differ depending on state, but in general 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 as soon as possible.
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 laws, regulations, and rules associated with the often confusing work comp legal process, so speak with us today.
Types of Work Injuries
No matter how relatively safe a place may be, an accident can happen anywhere. At Drummond Law, we take on cases with a variety of accident causes. Here are the most common kinds of work accidents that qualify for work comp.
- Falls, slips, and trips – This is the first thing many people imagine when thinking about a work accident. Injuries can result from spills, debris in walkways, poor lighting, oily surfaces, ice, and uneven walking surfaces. You are entitled to a work comp claim if you suffered an injury 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 careers that involve heavy machinery, such as construction, manufacturing, and farming. A person may be struck by a swinging, rolling, flying, or falling 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.
- Electrocution, fire, explosion – 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 respiratory issues, internal damage, 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 other cars on the road or machinery. Whether or not this is seen as a work comp or personal injury claim will depend on your specific case.
- Overexertion or repetitive stress – If your job involves a lot of holding, throwing, pulling, carrying, pushing, and lifting motions, it can lead to long-term physical harm including chronic joint pain, muscle strain, carpal tunnel, lower-back injuries, 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 may cause a rare form of cancer called mesothelioma. Other types of toxic, chemical, or illness 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 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. When this happens, you must file a Claim Petition for Workers’ Compensation benefits in court. Verifying your disability or injury is often one of the most difficult aspects of the fight for the benefits you are owed, so it’s vitally important to partner with a Rock Island work comp attorney to protect your rights.
A work comp attorney at Drummond Law 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
Get in Touch With Our Work Comp Attorneys in Rock Island, IL | Contact Drummond Law
We understand how stressful it can be if you are injured on the job and cannot work and adequately provide for your family. For more than 45 years, Drummond Law has been helping Rock Island workers get the benefits they deserve after getting hurt on the job. To speak to our work comp attorneys in Rock Island, IL, for a free case evaluation, please contact us or call 800-842-0426.