Workers’ Compensation
Work Comp Attorney in Hillsboro, IL
Work Comp Attorney in Hillsboro, 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|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 oftentimes complicated no matter where you live. Any error you make could result in the insurance company or your employer denying your claim.
At Drummond Law, our work comp attorneys want to help 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 fair and just compensation.
If you have been injured on the job and need help filing a workers’ compensation claim or appealing a denial, speak with a work comp attorney in Hillsboro, IL, at Drummond Law now. Feel free to contact us or call 800-842-0426 for a free document review.
Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim With the Help of a Work Comp Attorney in Hillsboro, IL
Injuries may result from either one single traumatic event (including a machine-related accident, slip and fall, electrocution, etc.) or they can occur over time (such as toxic exposure, repetitive stress, etc.) Both kinds of injuries are equally valid and equally deserving of compensation.
No work injury is ever too small, and you should never minimize them. The moment you discover a work-related injury, time is quite literally money. You need to explore your options for filing a workers’ compensation claim. Here are the steps below:
- Notify 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 care 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.
- Hold on to ALL copies of past and present healthcare reports – No piece of information is unimportant when it comes to your wellbeing and health.
- 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 your injury to the workers’ compensation insurance company – They’ll review your claim and you will receive either an approval or contest of the claim.
- Speak to a qualified work comp attorney in Hillsboro, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against private industry, state and local government employers, and more.
Our compassionate work comp attorneys in Hillsboro listen to you and believe that your work injury is legitimate. We can help shoulder some of the burdens you face during what is already a stressful time. If you’ve been injured on the job, Drummond Law can help you get the workers’ comp benefits you are entitled to.
Am I Eligible For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Hillsboro?
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 as soon as possible.
Settlements for workers’ compensation claims typically include mileage and rehabilitation reimbursement, medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of affection and income, and other costs related to a workplace incident. We’re familiar with all the regulations, rules, and laws associated with the often complicated work comp legal process, so contact us to learn more now.
Types of 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 work injuries that are eligible for workers’ compensation.
- Falls, slips, and trips – This is the main thing most people think about in regard to a workplace accident. Injuries can result from ice, spills, uneven walking surfaces, poor lighting, debris in walkways, and oily surfaces. You are entitled to workmans comp if you suffer an injury because the employer should’ve taken measures 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 struck 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 result from exposed wiring, faulty electrical outlets, gas lines, combustible materials, and open flames. Beyond just the burns these cause, further injuries include respiratory issues, internal damage, and in the worst cases, death.
- Vehicle-related accidents – These involve anyone who was driving while performing a work-related task, people who may drive for a living (such as truck drivers), or those who spend their time working near machinery or other cars on the road. Whether or not this is viewed as a work comp or personal injury claim depends 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 lasting effects including 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 – For example, 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 over the years or in a shortened period of time, 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. Verifying your injury or disability is often one of the most difficult components of fighting for the benefits you are entitled to, so it’s crucial to partner with a Hillsboro work comp attorney throughout this process.
A work comp attorney 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
- Fill out the paperwork on your behalf to 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 Work Comp Attorneys in Hillsboro, IL | Contact Drummond Law
We believe that hardworking individuals who’ve fallen victim to a workplace injury are entitled to maximum benefits. Since 1976, Drummond Law has been helping people in Hillsboro receive work comp benefits after an injury has put them out. To get in touch with our work comp attorneys in Hillsboro, IL, for a free case evaluation, please contact us or call 800-842-0426.