Workers’ Compensation
Workmans Comp Lawyer in Livingston, IL
Workmans comp lawyer in Livingston, 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 misstep you take could result in your employer or the insurance company contesting your claim.
At Drummond Law, our work comp lawyers will guide you through every aspect of your claim from beginning to end. We can facilitate communication with all parties involved, fill out crucial paperwork on your behalf, and negotiate with your employer and their insurance company for full and fair compensation.
For help filing for workers’ compensation or any other issues regarding your claim, speak with a workmans comp lawyer in Livingston, IL, at Drummond Law today. Do not hesitate to contact us or call 800-842-0426 for a free case review.
Filing a Work Comp Claim With the Help of a Workmans Comp Lawyer in Livingston, 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 types of injuries are equally valid and equally worthy of compensation.
No work injury is ever too minor, and you shouldn’t 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 the steps below:
- Inform 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 attention 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 medical records – No piece of information 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 denial of the claim.
- Get in touch with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in Livingston, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against state and local government employers, private industry, and more.
Our knowledgeable workmans comp lawyers in Livingston listen to you and know that your work injury is 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 work comp benefits you need.
Am I Eligible For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Livingston?
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 job-related responsibility. Statute of limitations do apply, so file your claim in a timely manner.
Settlements for work comp claims generally 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 muddled work comp legal process, so speak with us to learn more now.
Types of 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 accidents that are eligible for workmans comp.
- Slips, falls, and trips – This is the number one thing most people think about in regard to a work accident. Injuries can be caused by poor lighting, spills, debris in walkways, and icy, wet, oily, or uneven surfaces. You are entitled to workmans comp if you suffered an injury because the employer should have taken steps to prevent this injury, such as putting proper safety signs in place, non-slip mats, de-icing walkways, fixing broken lights, etc.
- Being hit by an object – This is common in careers that involve heavy machinery, including construction, manufacturing, and farming. A person can be hit 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.
- Electrocution, fire, explosion – This can be caused by exposed wiring, faulty electrical outlets, combustible materials, open flames, and gas lines. Beyond just 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.
- Repetitive stress and overexertion – 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 – For example, 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 manufacturing 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’ 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. If this is happening to you, you must file a Claim Petition for Workers’ Compensation benefits in court. Proving your injury or disability is often one of the most challenging aspects of victims’ fights for benefits, so it’s crucial to work with a workers’ compensation attorney throughout this process.
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
Get in Touch With Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in Livingston, 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 Livingston receive work comp benefits after an injury has put them out. To speak to our workers’ compensation lawyers in Livingston, IL, for a free case evaluation, please contact us or call 800-842-0426.