Workers’ Compensation
Workmans Comp Lawyer in Barr, IL
Workmans comp lawyer in Barr, 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; however, the workers’ compensation process is often complex no matter where you live. Any misstep you take could result in the insurance company or your employer contesting your claim.
At Drummond Law, our work comp lawyers want to help guide you through the process from start to finish. 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, speak with a workmans comp lawyer in Barr, IL, at Drummond Law today. Feel free to contact us or call 800-842-0426 for a free case review.
Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim With the Help of a Workmans Comp Lawyer in Barr, 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 repetitive trauma, toxic exposure, etc.) Both types of injuries are equally valid and equally deserving of compensation.
No work injury is ever too minor, and you shouldn’t brush one aside. As soon as you are injured at work, time is of the essence. You need to explore your options for filing a workers’ compensation claim. Here are the steps below:
- Tell 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 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 past and present medical reports – No piece of information is unimportant when it comes to your health and wellbeing.
- 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 will review your claim and you will receive either an approval or denial of the claim.
- Speak to an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in Barr, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against private industry, state and local government employers, and more.
Our compassionate workmans comp lawyers in Barr listen to you and believe that your work injury is valid. We’ll shoulder some of the burdens you face during a time that is already stressful. If you’ve been injured on the job, Drummond Law can help you get the workmans comp benefits you need.
Am I Eligible For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Barr?
The laws are different from state to state, but in general you’re eligible for workers’ compensation if you’re a legal employee and you’ve been injured while performing a job-related responsibility. Statute of limitations do apply, so do not delaying in filing your claim.
Settlements for workers’ compensation claims typically include mileage and rehabilitation reimbursement, medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of affection and income, and other expenses related to a workplace accident. We’re familiar with all the laws, regulations, and rules associated with the often muddled work comp legal process, so speak with us today.
Types of Work Injuries
No matter how relatively safe a place may be, an accident can happen anywhere. At Drummond Law, we see them every day. Here are the most common kinds of work accidents that qualify for work comp.
- Falls, slips, and trips – This is the number one thing many people imagine when thinking about a work accident. Injuries can be caused by ice, spills, uneven walking surfaces, poor lighting, debris in walkways, and oily surfaces. You are entitled to workmans comp if you suffer one of these injuries because the employer should have taken steps 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 careers that involve heavy machinery, including construction, manufacturing, and farming. A person can be struck by a swinging, flying, falling, or rolling object causing 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.
- 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 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 considered a work comp or personal injury claim will depend on your specific case.
- Repetitive stress and overexertion – 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 might be entitled to a work comp claim because employers should allow frequent breaks and provide protective gear.
- Work-related illness – For example, working in an old building may expose you to asbestos which may cause a cancer known as mesothelioma. Other types of illness, chemical, or toxic 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. Proving your injury or disability is often one of the most difficult aspects of victims’ fights for benefits, so it’s vitally important to partner with a workers’ compensation attorney throughout this process.
Your workmans comp lawyer will:
- Help you prove your inability to work and need for benefits
- Investigate the ways in which your employer may have acted with negligence causing your workplace 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
Speak to Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in Barr, IL | Contact Drummond Law
We believe that hardworking individuals who’ve fallen victim to a workplace injury are entitled to maximum benefits. Since our founding, our mission at Drummond Law has been to help people in Barr get the help they need. To get in touch with our workers’ compensation lawyers in Barr, IL, for a free case review, please contact us or call 800-842-0426.