Workers’ Compensation
Work Comp Attorney in Woodford County, IL
Work Comp Attorney in Woodford County, 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 complicated no matter the state you live in. Any misstep you take could result in your employer or the insurance company rejecting your claim.
At Drummond Law, our work comp attorneys 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.
For help filing for workers’ compensation or any other issues regarding your claim, speak with a work comp attorney in Woodford County, IL, at Drummond Law now. 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 Woodford County, IL
Injuries may 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 repetitive stress, toxic exposure, etc.) Both types of injuries are equally valid and equally meriting 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 the steps below:
- Notify 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 treatment as soon as you can – 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 present and past 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 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’ll look over your claim and you will receive either an approval or denial of the claim.
- Get in touch with an experienced work comp attorney in Woodford County, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against state and local government employers, private industry, and more.
Our seasoned work comp attorneys in Woodford County listen to you and know that your work injury is legitimate. We can help shoulder some of the burdens you face during what is already a stressful time. If you’ve been injured on the job, Drummond Law can help you get the workers’ comp benefits you deserve.
Am I Eligible For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Woodford County?
The laws are different from state to state, but in general you’re eligible for workers’ compensation if you’re a legal employee and you’ve been injured while performing a job-related duty. 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 expenses related to a workplace accident. We are familiar with all the laws, regulations, and rules associated with the often complicated work comp legal process, so contact us today.
Most Common 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 work injuries that are eligible for workers’ compensation.
- Slips, falls, and trips – This is the first thing most people think of when they imagine a workplace accident. Injuries can be caused by ice, spills, uneven walking surfaces, poor lighting, debris in walkways, and oily surfaces. You may be entitled to a work comp claim if you suffer an injury because the employer should’ve 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, including construction, manufacturing, and farming. A person can be struck by a flying, rolling, falling, or swinging 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 be caused by exposed wiring, faulty electrical outlets, combustible materials, open flames, and gas lines. Beyond just the burns these cause, further injuries include respiratory issues, internal damage, 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 those who spend their 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.
- Repetitive stress and overexertion – If your job involves a lot of holding, throwing, pulling, carrying, pushing, and lifting 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 workers’ compensation claim because employers should allow frequent breaks and provide protective gear.
- Work-related illness – For example, working in an older building may expose you to asbestos which causes a rare form of cancer called mesothelioma. Other types of toxic, chemical, or illness 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 eligible for a claim.
What to Do If Your Workers’ Comp Claim Is Denied
In far too many cases, employers will try to skirt responsibility for the injuries their employees faced while 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 challenging components of fighting for the benefits you are entitled to, so it’s crucial to work with a Woodford County work comp attorney to protect your rights.
Your work comp attorney 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
- Submit your petition for benefits
- Ensure that all necessary information is included in the petition
- Represent you in front of the various levels of the appellate courts
Get in Touch With Our Work Comp Attorneys in Woodford 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 Woodford County get the help they need. To get in touch with our work comp attorneys in Woodford County, IL, for a free case review, feel free to contact us or call 800-842-0426.