Workers’ Compensation
Work Comp Attorney in Sangamon County, IL
Work Comp Attorney in Sangamon 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 complicated no matter the state you live in. Any mistake you make could result in the insurance company or your employer denying your claim.
At Drummond Law, our work comp attorneys will take you through every phase of the process. We can facilitate communication with all parties involved, fill out crucial paperwork on your behalf, 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 Sangamon County, IL, at Drummond Law now. Please contact us or call 800-842-0426 for a free consultation.
How to File a Work Comp Claim With the Help of a Work Comp Attorney in Sangamon County, IL
Injuries may result from either one single traumatic event (including a slip and fall, electrocution, machine-related accident, etc.) or they can develop over time (such as toxic exposure, repetitive trauma, etc.) Both types of injuries are equally valid and equally deserving of compensation.
No work injury is ever too small, 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:
- Notify your manager, HR representative, or employer 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.
- Get 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 records – No document is unimportant when it comes to your health and wellbeing.
- 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 will review your claim and you will receive either an approval or denial of the claim.
- Contact an experienced work comp attorney in Sangamon 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 Sangamon County listen to you and believe that your injuries are valid. 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 workmans comp benefits you are entitled to.
Am I Eligible For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Sangamon 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 responsibility. Statute of limitations do apply, so file your claim in a timely manner.
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 well-acquainted with all the regulations, rules, and laws associated with the often confusing work comp legal process, so contact us to learn more now.
Types of Work Injuries
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 types of work injuries that qualify for work comp.
- Slips, falls, 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 may be entitled to a work comp claim if you sustained an injury because the employer should have taken acts to prevent this injury, such as fixing broken lights, non-slip mats, proper safety signage, de-icing walkways, etc.
- Being hit by an object – This is common in physically-demanding environments with lots of machinery, including construction, manufacturing, and farming. A person can be hit by a swinging, rolling, flying, or falling object resulting in 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 result from exposed wiring, faulty electrical outlets, gas lines, combustible materials, and open flames. 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 viewed as personal injury or work comp depends on your specific case.
- Repetitive stress and overexertion – 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 chronic joint pain, muscle strain, carpal tunnel, lower-back injuries, and more. A worker might be entitled to a workers’ compensation claim because employers should allow frequent breaks and provide protective gear.
- Work-related illness – In many cases, 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 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 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 disability or injury is often one of the most difficult aspects of victims’ fights for benefits, so it’s vitally important to partner with a Sangamon 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
- Discover all the ways how your employer did not take proper safety precautions or let your workplace run the risk of injury
- Submit your petition for benefits
- Gather all necessary information to include in the petition
- Represent you in the meditation hearing and trial, if necessary
Hire Our Work Comp Attorneys in Sangamon 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. For more than 45 years, Drummond Law has been helping Sangamon County workers get the benefits they deserve after getting hurt on the job. To get in touch with our work comp attorneys in Sangamon County, IL, for a free case evaluation, please contact us or call 800-842-0426.