Workers’ Compensation

Work Comp Attorney in Cumberland County, IL

Work Comp Attorney in Cumberland 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|If you ever get hurt on the job, it’s your right to seek compensation so that you can continue to keep the lights on and put food on the table for you and your family; however, the workers’ compensation process is complex no matter the state you live in. Any mistake you make could result in your employer or the insurance company denying your claim.

At Drummond Law, our work comp attorneys will guide you through the process from start to finish. We can fill out critical paperwork for you, facilitate necessary communication with all involved parties, and negotiate with your employer and their insurance company for just and fair compensation.

For help filing for workers’ compensation or any other issues regarding your claim, talk to a work comp attorney in Cumberland County, IL, at Drummond Law now. Feel free to contact us or call 800-842-0426 for a free document review.

Filing a Work Comp Claim With the Help of a Work Comp Attorney in Cumberland 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 worthy of compensation.

No work injury is ever insignificant, and you shouldn’t 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:

• Inform your manager, HR representative, or employer 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 attention 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.
• Keep track of ALL copies of present and past healthcare reports – No document 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 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.
• Get in touch with a qualified work comp attorney in Cumberland County, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against state and local government employers, private industry, and more.

Our compassionate work comp attorneys in Cumberland County listen to you and believe that your injuries are legitimate. We will take some of the load off of your shoulders during a time that is no doubt stressful enough. If you have been injured on the job, Drummond Law can help you get the work comp benefits you deserve.

Am I Eligible For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Cumberland County?

The laws vary by state, but generally you are entitled to 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 work comp claims usually include medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of affection and income, mileage and rehabilitation reimbursement, and other costs related to a workplace incident. We’re well-acquainted with all the regulations, rules, and laws associated with the often confusing work comp legal process, so give us a call to learn more now.

Common Workplace Accidents

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 kinds of workplace injuries that are eligible for workers’ compensation.

• Falls, slips, and trips – This is the first thing many people think of when they imagine 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 suffer an injury because the employer should have taken measures to prevent this injury, such as fixing broken lights, non-slip mats, proper safety signage, de-icing walkways, etc.
• Getting struck by 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 faulty electrical outlets, open flames, gas lines, improperly-stored combustible materials, and exposed wiring. Beyond just the burns these cause, the injuries can include respiratory issues, internal damage, and in the worst cases, death.
• Vehicular 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 viewed as a work comp or personal injury claim depends on the facts of your case.
• Overexertion or repetitive stress – 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 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 provide protective gear and allow frequent breaks.
• 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 toxic, chemical, or illness exposures may be common in everything from corporate offices to manufacturing plants. Whether the onset of the illness took place in a short amount of time or over years, 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. When this happens, you must file a Claim Petition for Workers’ Compensation benefits in court. Verifying your injury or disability is often one of the most difficult aspects of the fight for the benefits you are owed, so it’s crucial to work with a Cumberland County work comp attorney throughout this process.

A work comp attorney at Drummond Law will:

• Help verify that you cannot work and need compensation
• Investigate the ways in which your employer may have acted with negligence causing your workplace injury
• Fill out the paperwork on your behalf to petition for benefits
• Ensure that all necessary information is included in the petition
• Represent you in the meditation hearing and trial, if necessary

Speak to Our Work Comp Attorneys in Cumberland County, IL | Contact Drummond Law

We get that being injured on the job and thus not being able to provide for your family is a troubling experience, and that you have the right to be compensated for your troubles. For more than 45 years, Drummond Law has been helping Cumberland County workers get the benefits they deserve after getting hurt on the job. To speak to our work comp attorneys in Cumberland County, IL, for a free case review, please contact us or call 800-842-0426.