Workers’ Compensation
Work Comp Attorney in McDonough County, IL
Work Comp Attorney in McDonough 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|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 often complex no matter the state you live in. Any error you make could result in your employer or the insurance company contesting your claim.
At Drummond Law, our work injury lawyers will take 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 the insurance company and your employer for fair and just compensation.
For help filing for workers’ compensation or any other issues regarding your claim, talk to a work comp attorney in McDonough County, IL, at Drummond Law today. Feel free to contact us or call 800-842-0426 for a free document review.
How to File a Workers’ Comp Claim With the Help of a Work Comp Attorney in McDonough 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 develop over time (such as toxic exposure, repetitive stress, etc.) Both kinds of injuries are equally valid and equally worthy of compensation.
No work injury is ever too small, and you should never 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 several important steps to take:
- 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.
- Get 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.
- Keep track of ALL copies of present and past healthcare records – No piece of information is unimportant when it comes to your health and wellness.
- 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.
- 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.
- Speak to an experienced work comp attorney in McDonough County, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against private industry, state and local government employers, and more.
Our seasoned work comp attorneys in McDonough County listen to you and believe that your work injury is legitimate. 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 are entitled to.
Am I Eligible For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in McDonough County?
The laws vary by state, but generally you are entitled to workers’ compensation if you’re a legal employee and you’ve been hurt while performing a job-related task. Statute of limitations do apply, so do not delaying in filing your claim.
Settlements for work comp claims usually include medical bills, loss of affection and income, mileage and rehabilitation reimbursement, pain and suffering, and other expenses related to a workplace accident. We are well-acquainted with all the regulations, rules, and laws associated with the often muddled 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 accidents that are eligible for workers’ compensation.
- Slips, falls, and trips – This is the main thing many people imagine when thinking about a work accident. Injuries can result from poor lighting, spills, debris in walkways, and icy, wet, oily, or uneven surfaces. You are entitled to workmans comp if you sustained one of these injuries because the employer should’ve taken measures to prevent this injury, such as putting proper safety signs in place, non-slip mats, de-icing walkways, fixing broken lights, etc.
- Contact with an object – This is common in physically-demanding environments with lots of machinery, such as construction, manufacturing, and farming. A person can be hit by a swinging, flying, falling, or rolling 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. 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 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 seen as a work comp or personal injury claim will depend on your specific case.
- Overexertion or repetitive stress – 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 provide protective gear and allow frequent breaks.
- Work-related illness – In many cases, working in an old building may expose you to asbestos which causes a rare form of cancer called mesothelioma. Other types of illness, chemical, or toxic exposures can occur 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’ Compensation Claim Is Denied
Countless employers and their insurers attempt to escape responsibility for injuries that their employees suffer at the workplace. If this is happening to you, you must file a Claim Petition for Workers’ Compensation benefits in court. Proving your disability or injury is often one of the most onerous components of the fight for the benefits you are owed, so it’s vitally important to work with a McDonough County work comp attorney to protect your rights.
A work comp attorney at Drummond Law 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
- Submit your petition for benefits
- Ensure that all necessary information is included in the petition
- Represent you in front of the various levels of the appellate courts
Get in Touch With Our Work Comp Attorneys in McDonough 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 McDonough County workers get the benefits they deserve after getting hurt on the job. To get in touch with our work comp attorneys in McDonough County, IL, for a free case evaluation, please contact us or call 800-842-0426.