Workers’ Compensation
Workmans Comp Lawyer in Henry County, IL
Workmans comp lawyer in Henry 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; however, the workers’ compensation process is complicated no matter what part of the country you call home. Any misstep you take could result in your employer or the insurance company contesting your claim.
At Drummond Law, our work injury lawyers will guide 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 have been injured on the job and need help filing a workers’ compensation claim or appealing a denial, speak with a workmans comp lawyer in Henry 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 Workmans Comp Lawyer in Henry County, IL
Injuries can result from either one single traumatic event (such as a machine-related accident, slip and fall, electrocution, etc.) or they can occur over time (such as repetitive trauma, toxic exposure, etc.) Both kinds of injuries are equally valid and equally deserving of compensation.
No work injury is ever too minor, 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:
- Tell 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.
- Seek medical care 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 physician’s orders for treatment, because failure to do so may jeopardize your claim.
- Obtain ALL copies of past and present medical records – No document is unimportant when it comes to your health and wellbeing.
- 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.
- Make sure that your employer reports your injury to the workers’ compensation insurance company – They’ll review your claim and you will receive either an approval or contest of the claim.
- Get in touch with a qualified workers’ compensation lawyer in Henry County, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against private industry, state and local government employers, and more.
Our compassionate workmans comp lawyers in Henry County listen to you and believe that your work injury is valid. We’ll shoulder some of the burdens you face during a time that is already stressful. If you’ve 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 Henry County?
The laws vary by state, but generally you are eligible for workers’ compensation if you are considered a legal employee and you have been hurt while performing a job-related duty. Statute of limitations do apply, so do not delaying in filing your claim.
Settlements for workers’ compensation claims generally include mileage and rehabilitation reimbursement, medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of affection and income, and other expenses related to a workplace incident. We’re familiar with all the regulations, rules, and laws associated with the often confusing work comp legal process, so speak with us today.
Most Common 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 see them every day. Here are the most common types of work injuries that qualify for work comp.
- Slips, falls, and trips – This is the number one thing most people think about in regard to a workplace 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 suffer 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.
- Contact with an object – This is common in physically-demanding environments with lots of machinery, including manufacturing, construction, and farming. A person may be hit 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 be caused by exposed wiring, faulty electrical outlets, gas lines, combustible materials, and open flames. Besides the burns these cause, the injuries can 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 machinery or other cars on the road. Whether or not this is considered personal injury or work comp will depend on the facts of your 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 such as lower-back injuries, chronic joint pain, carpal tunnel, muscle strain, and more. A worker may 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 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 may be common in everything from corporate offices to manufacturing plants. Whether the onset of the illness took place over the years or in a shortened period of time, 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. If this is happening to you, you must file a Claim Petition for Workers’ Compensation benefits in court. Proving your disability or injury is often one of the most challenging components of your fight for the benefits you are owed, so it’s crucial to work with a workers’ compensation attorney to protect your rights.
A workmans comp lawyer at Drummond Law will:
- Prove to the courts your injury and need for compensation
- Uncover the ways in which your employer failed to take adequate safety measures or allowed your work environment to become a risk
- Submit your petition for benefits
- Gather all necessary information to include in the petition
- Represent you in front of the various levels of the appellate courts
Hire Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in Henry 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 1976, Drummond Law has been helping people in Henry County receive work comp benefits after an injury has put them out. To speak to our workers’ compensation lawyers in Henry County, IL, for a free case evaluation, please contact us or call 800-842-0426.