Workers’ Compensation
Workmans Comp Lawyer in Owaneco, IL
Workmans comp lawyer in Owaneco, 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 complicated no matter what part of the country you call home. Any misstep you take could result in the insurance company or your employer 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 fill out crucial paperwork on your behalf, facilitate communication with all parties involved, and negotiate with the insurance company and your employer for fair and just compensation.
For help filing for workers’ compensation or any other issues regarding your claim, speak with a workmans comp lawyer in Owaneco, IL, at Drummond Law now. Please 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 Owaneco, IL
Injuries may 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 are injured at work, time is of the essence. You need to explore your options for filing a workers’ compensation claim. Here are important steps to follow:
- 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 treatment 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 reports – No piece of information is unimportant when it comes to your wellbeing and health.
- 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 the injury to the workers’ compensation insurance company – They’ll review your claim and you will receive either an approval or contest of the claim.
- Contact a qualified workers’ compensation lawyer in Owaneco, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against state and local government employers, private industry, and more.
Our compassionate workmans comp lawyers in Owaneco listen to you and believe that your work injury is valid. We can help shoulder some of the burden you face during what is already a stressful time. If you have 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 Owaneco?
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 have been injured while performing a job-related duty. Statute of limitations do apply, so do not delaying in filing your claim.
Settlements for work comp claims generally include medical bills, loss of affection and income, mileage and rehabilitation reimbursement, pain and suffering, and other expenses related to a workplace accident. We’re familiar with all the regulations, rules, and laws associated with the often muddled work comp legal process, so speak with us today.
Types of 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 accidents that are eligible for workmans comp.
- Falls, slips, and trips – This is the first thing many people imagine when thinking about a work accident. Injuries can be caused by spills, debris in walkways, poor lighting, oily surfaces, ice, and uneven walking surfaces. You may be entitled to workmans comp if you suffered one of these injuries because the employer should have 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 careers that involve heavy machinery, such as manufacturing, construction, and farming. A person may be hit by a swinging, flying, falling, or rolling 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.
- Overexertion or repetitive stress – 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 might 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 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 in a short amount of time or over years, you may still be eligible for a claim.
What to Do If Your Work 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. Proving your injury or disability is often one of the most challenging components of your fight for the benefits you are owed, so it’s vitally important to work with a workers’ compensation attorney throughout this process.
Your workmans comp lawyer 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
Speak to Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in Owaneco, IL | Contact Drummond Law
We believe that hardworking individuals who’ve fallen victim to a workplace injury are entitled to maximum benefits. Since our founding, our mission at Drummond Law has been to help people in Owaneco get the help they need. To get in touch with our workers’ compensation lawyers in Owaneco, IL, for a free case review, please contact us or call 800-842-0426.