Workers’ Compensation
Work Comp Attorney in Wayne County, IL
Work Comp Attorney in Wayne County, 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 complicated no matter where you live. Any misstep you take could result in your employer or the insurance company rejecting your claim.
At Drummond Law, our work comp attorneys will 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, speak with a work comp attorney in Wayne County, IL, at Drummond Law today. Please 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 Wayne County, IL
Injuries may result from either one single traumatic event (including a slip and fall, electrocution, machine-related accident, etc.) or they can develop over time (such as toxic exposure, repetitive stress, etc.) Both kinds of injuries are equally valid and equally meriting of compensation.
No work injury is ever insignificant, and you shouldn’t brush one aside. 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 several important steps to take:
- Notify your employer, manager or HR rep about the injury – You should also insist they fill out an accident report as soon as possible. Furthermore, it is good practice to give them a written notice within 45 days of the incident detailing the date of the accident and a short description of the injury.
- Get medical treatment as soon as you can – 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 present and past healthcare reports – No piece of information is unimportant when it comes to your health and wellbeing.
- File an Application for Adjustment of Claim – If you think that your employer may not pay your benefits either now or in the future, file this form.
- Ensure 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 denial of the claim.
- Get in touch with a qualified work comp attorney in Wayne County, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against state and local government employers, private industry, and more.
Our experienced work comp attorneys in Wayne County listen to you and believe that your injuries are 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 need.
Am I Eligible For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Wayne County?
The laws vary by state, but generally you are eligible for workers’ compensation if you’re a legal employee and you have been hurt while performing a work-related responsibility. Statute of limitations do apply, so do not delaying in filing your claim.
Settlements for work comp claims typically include medical bills, loss of affection and income, mileage and rehabilitation reimbursement, pain and suffering, and other expenses related to a workplace incident. We’re familiar with all the laws, regulations, and rules associated with the often confusing work comp legal process, so contact us today.
Types of Workplace Accidents
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 injuries 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 be caused by poor lighting, spills, debris in walkways, and icy, wet, oily, or uneven surfaces. You may be entitled to a work comp claim if you suffered one of these injuries because the employer should have taken steps to prevent this injury, such as fixing broken lights, putting proper safety signs up, non-slip mats, de-icing walkways, etc.
- Contact with an object – This is common in physically-demanding environments with lots of machinery, such as construction, manufacturing, and farming. A person can be hit by a swinging, flying, falling, or rolling object causing 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 faulty electrical outlets, open flames, gas lines, improperly-stored combustible materials, and exposed wiring. In addition to the burns these cause, further injuries include internal organ damage, respiratory issues, and in the worst cases, death.
- Vehicular 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 those who spend their time working near other cars on the road or machinery. Whether or not this is seen as personal injury or work comp will depend 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 long-term physical harm such as lower-back injuries, chronic joint pain, carpal tunnel, muscle strain, and more. A worker might be entitled to a workers’ compensation 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 cancer known as mesothelioma. Other types of illness, chemical, or toxic exposures may be common in everything from corporate offices to manufacturing plants. 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 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 onerous components of fighting for the benefits you are entitled to, so it’s vitally important to work with a Wayne County work comp attorney to protect your rights.
Your work comp attorney will:
- Prove to the courts your injury and need for 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 the meditation hearing and trial, if necessary
Get in Touch With Our Work Comp Attorneys in Wayne County, 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. Since our founding, our mission at Drummond Law has been to help people in Wayne County get the help they need. To speak to our work comp attorneys in Wayne County, IL, for a free case review, please contact us or call 800-842-0426.