Workers’ Compensation
Work Comp Attorney in Virden, IL
Work Comp Attorney in Virden, 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 where you live. Any misstep you take could result in your employer or the insurance company denying 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 critical paperwork for you, facilitate necessary communication with all involved parties, 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, speak with a work comp attorney in Virden, IL, at Drummond Law now. Please contact us or call 800-842-0426 for a free consultation.
Filing a Work Comp Claim With the Help of a Work Comp Attorney in Virden, IL
Injuries can result from either one single traumatic event (including a slip and fall, electrocution, machine-related accident, etc.) or they can occur over time (such as toxic exposure, repetitive trauma, etc.) Both kinds of injuries are equally valid and equally meriting of compensation.
No work injury is ever too small, and you shouldn’t brush one aside. 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 several important steps to take:
- 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.
- 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 healthcare reports – No piece of information 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 your 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 Virden, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against private industry, state and local government employers, and more.
Our seasoned work comp attorneys in Virden listen to you and know 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 workers’ comp benefits you need.
Am I Eligible For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Virden?
Laws differ depending on state, but in general you are entitled to workers’ compensation if you are considered a legal employee and you have 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 typically include medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of affection and income, mileage and rehabilitation reimbursement, and other costs related to a workplace accident. We are well-acquainted 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
Even if you work in a small operation or an office-setting, a workplace accident can happen anywhere, anytime. 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.
- Slips, falls, and trips – This is the main thing most people imagine when thinking about a workplace accident. Injuries can be caused by spills, debris in walkways, poor lighting, oily surfaces, ice, and uneven walking surfaces. You may be entitled to a work comp claim if you suffered one of these injuries because the employer should’ve taken steps to prevent this injury, such as fixing broken lights, non-slip mats, proper safety signage, de-icing walkways, etc.
- Getting struck by an object – This is common in careers that involve heavy machinery, including manufacturing, construction, and farming. A person can be hit 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, gas lines, combustible materials, and open flames. Besides 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 anyone who spends time working near machinery or other cars on the road. Whether or not this is seen as personal injury or work comp depends on the facts of your case.
- Repetitive stress and overexertion – If your job involves a lot of throwing, lifting, carrying, pulling, holding, and pushing 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 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 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 over the years or in a shortened period of time, you may still be entitled to a claim.
What to Do If Your Workers’ 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. Proving your injury or disability is often one of the most challenging components of the fight for the benefits you are owed, so it’s critical to work with a Virden work comp attorney to protect your rights.
A work comp attorney at Drummond Law will:
- Help you prove your inability to work and need for benefits
- Discover all the ways how your employer did not take proper safety precautions or let your workplace run the risk of injury
- File all paperwork on your behalf
- Gather all necessary information to include in the petition
- Represent you in the meditation hearing and trial, if necessary
Hire Our Work Comp Attorneys in Virden, 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. For more than 45 years, Drummond Law has been helping Virden workers get the benefits they deserve after getting hurt on the job. To speak to our work comp attorneys in Virden, IL, for a free case review, feel free to contact us or call 800-842-0426.