Workers’ Compensation
Workmans Comp Lawyer in Massac County, IL
Workmans comp lawyer in Massac County, IL. After a hardworking individual suffers an injury while on the job, they shouldn’t have to worry about how they will provide for themselves and their family; however, the workers’ compensation process is 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 injury lawyers will guide you through the process from start to finish. 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 full and fair compensation.
If you have been injured on the job and need help filing a workers’ compensation claim or appealing a denial, talk to a workmans comp lawyer in Massac County, IL, at Drummond Law today. Feel free to contact us or call 800-842-0426 for a free case review.
Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim With the Help of a Workmans Comp Lawyer in Massac 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 toxic exposure, repetitive trauma, etc.) Both types of injuries are equally valid and equally worthy of compensation.
No work injury is ever insignificant, and you should never 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 important steps to follow:
- Tell 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 possible – 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 past and present 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 feel your employer may resist paying for your treatments now or in the future, you will want to file this form.
- Ensure that your employer reports the injury to the workers’ compensation insurance company – They will review your claim and you will receive either an approval or denial of the claim.
- Contact a qualified workers’ compensation lawyer in Massac County, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against state and local government employers, private industry, and more.
Our seasoned workmans comp lawyers in Massac County 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’ve 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 Massac County?
The laws vary by state, but generally you are eligible for workers’ compensation if you are considered 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 work comp claims typically include mileage and rehabilitation reimbursement, medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of affection and income, and other expenses related to a workplace incident. 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
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 workmans comp.
- Falls, slips, and trips – This is the first thing most people think about in regard to a work accident. Injuries can be caused by spills, debris in walkways, poor lighting, oily surfaces, ice, and uneven walking surfaces. You are entitled to a work comp claim 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, such as construction, manufacturing, and farming. A person may 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.
- 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 internal organ damage, respiratory issues, 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 a work comp or personal injury claim will depend 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 long-term physical harm such as chronic joint pain, muscle strain, carpal tunnel, lower-back injuries, 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 – For example, working in an old building may expose you to asbestos which causes 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 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
Countless employers and their insurers attempt to escape responsibility for injuries that their employees suffer at the workplace. When this happens, you must file a Claim Petition for Workers’ Compensation benefits in court. Proving your disability or injury is often one of the most difficult components of victims’ fights for benefits, so it’s vitally important to partner 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
Get in Touch With Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in Massac 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 Massac County receive work comp benefits after an injury has put them out. To get in touch with our workers’ compensation lawyers in Massac County, IL, for a free case review, please contact us or call 800-842-0426.