Workers’ Compensation
Work Comp Attorney in Vandalia, IL
Work Comp Attorney in Vandalia, 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 complex no matter where you live. Any error you make could result in your employer or the insurance company rejecting your claim.
At Drummond Law, our work injury lawyers want to help guide you through the process from start to finish. We can fill out crucial paperwork on your behalf, facilitate communication with all parties involved, and negotiate with your employer and their insurance company 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 Vandalia, IL, at Drummond Law now. Please 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 Vandalia, IL
Injuries may result from either one single traumatic event (like a slip and fall, electrocution, machine-related accident, etc.) or they can develop over time (such as toxic exposure, repetitive trauma, etc.) Both kinds of injuries are equally valid and equally meriting of compensation.
No work injury is ever insignificant, and you should never minimize them. 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 important steps to follow:
- 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.
- Get 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 medical records – No document is unimportant when it comes to your wellbeing and health.
- File an Application for Adjustment of Claim – If you think that your employer may not pay your benefits either now or in the future, 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 contest of the claim.
- Contact a qualified work comp attorney in Vandalia, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against state and local government employers, private industry, and more.
Our experienced work comp attorneys in Vandalia 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 workers’ comp benefits you are entitled to.
Am I Eligible For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Vandalia?
The laws vary by state, but generally you are eligible for workers’ compensation if you’re a legal employee and you’ve been hurt while performing a work-related duty. Statute of limitations do apply, so file your claim as soon as possible.
Settlements for work comp claims typically include medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of affection and income, mileage and rehabilitation reimbursement, 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 today.
Common Workplace Accidents
Any number of accidents can happen when you are working somewhere for eight hours a day, five days a week. At Drummond Law, we see them every day. Here are the most common types of work accidents that are eligible for workers’ compensation.
- Falls, slips, and trips – This is the first thing most 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 may be entitled to a work comp claim if you sustained one of these injuries because the employer should have taken acts to prevent this injury, such as putting proper safety signs in place, non-slip mats, de-icing walkways, fixing broken lights, etc.
- Getting struck by an object – This is common in careers that involve heavy machinery, including manufacturing, construction, and farming. A person can be struck by a flying, rolling, falling, or swinging object resulting in blunt-force trauma. Employers should ensure that all hazards are identified and give their workers proper warnings and gear to protect against them.
- Explosions, fire, electrocution – This can result from faulty electrical outlets, open flames, gas lines, improperly-stored combustible materials, and exposed wiring. Besides the burns these cause, further injuries 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.
- 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 lower-back injuries, chronic joint pain, carpal tunnel, muscle strain, and more. A worker might be entitled to a workers’ compensation claim because employers should provide protective gear and allow frequent breaks.
- Work-related illness – For example, working in an older 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 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 entitled to 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. 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 aspects of fighting for the benefits you are entitled to, so it’s critical to work with a Vandalia work comp attorney throughout this process.
A work comp attorney at Drummond Law will:
- Help verify that you cannot work and need compensation
- Uncover the ways in which your employer failed to take adequate safety measures or allowed your work environment to become a risk
- File all paperwork on your behalf
- 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 Vandalia, IL | Contact Drummond Law
We believe that hardworking individuals who’ve fallen victim to a workplace injury are entitled to maximum benefits. For more than 45 years, Drummond Law has been helping Vandalia workers get the benefits they deserve after getting hurt on the job. To get in touch with our work comp attorneys in Vandalia, IL, for a free case review, please contact us or call 800-842-0426.