Workers’ Compensation
Workmans Comp Lawyer in Jersey County, IL
Workmans comp lawyer in Jersey 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; however, the workers’ compensation process is often complex no matter where you live. Any mistake you make could result in your employer or the insurance company contesting your claim.
At Drummond Law, our work comp lawyers want to help guide you through the process from start to finish. We can facilitate communication with all parties involved, fill out crucial paperwork on your behalf, and negotiate with the insurance company and your employer for just and fair compensation.
For help filing for workers’ compensation or any other issues regarding your claim, talk to a workmans comp lawyer in Jersey County, IL, at Drummond Law today. Do not hesitate to contact us or call 800-842-0426 for a free case review.
How to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim With the Help of a Workmans Comp Lawyer in Jersey County, IL
Injuries can result from either one single traumatic event (such as a slip and fall, electrocution, machine-related accident, 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 insignificant, and you should never brush one aside. As soon as you find out about an injury that was caused by a job-related duty, there is no time to waste. You need to explore your options for filing a workers’ compensation claim. Here are important steps to follow:
- 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.
- 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 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 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 denial of the claim.
- Speak to an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in Jersey County, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against private industry, state and local government employers, and more.
Our knowledgeable workmans comp lawyers in Jersey County listen to you and know that your injuries are valid. We’ll shoulder some of the burdens you face during a time that is already stressful. If you have 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 Jersey County?
The laws are different from state to state, but in general you’re 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 file your claim in a timely manner.
Settlements for work comp claims typically include medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of affection and income, mileage and rehabilitation reimbursement, and other expenses related to a workplace incident. We are 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
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 types of work accidents that are eligible for work comp.
- Slips, falls, and trips – This is the first thing most people imagine when thinking about 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 workmans comp if you suffered an injury 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 careers that involve heavy machinery, including manufacturing, construction, and farming. A person can be struck by a flying, rolling, falling, or swinging 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 be caused by exposed wiring, faulty electrical outlets, combustible materials, open flames, and gas lines. 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 other cars on the road or machinery. Whether or not this is considered personal injury or work comp will depend 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 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 – In many cases, working in an old 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 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’ Compensation 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. Proving your injury or disability is often one of the most difficult aspects of your fight for the benefits you are owed, so it’s vitally important to work with a workers’ compensation attorney to protect your rights.
Your workmans comp lawyer will:
- Help you prove your inability to work and need for benefits
- Uncover the ways in which your employer failed to take adequate safety measures or allowed your work environment to become a risk
- 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
Speak to Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in Jersey 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 Jersey County receive work comp benefits after an injury has put them out. To speak to our workers’ compensation lawyers in Jersey County, IL, for a free case review, please contact us or call 800-842-0426.