Workers’ Compensation
Workmans Comp Lawyer in Marion, IL
Workmans comp lawyer in Marion, 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 your employer or the insurance company denying your claim.
At Drummond Law, our work injury 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 full and fair compensation.
For help filing for workers’ compensation or any other issues regarding your claim, talk to a workmans comp lawyer in Marion, IL, at Drummond Law now. Please contact us or call 800-842-0426 for a free case review.
Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim With the Help of a Workmans Comp Lawyer in Marion, IL
Injuries can result from either one single traumatic event (such as a slip and fall, electrocution, machine-related accident, etc.) or they can occur over time (such as toxic exposure, repetitive trauma, etc.) Both kinds of injuries are equally valid and equally deserving of compensation.
No work injury is ever insignificant, and you should never 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:
- Inform 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.
- Seek medical care as soon as you can – 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 document 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.
- 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.
- Get in touch with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in Marion, IL – Our law firm handles workers’ compensation claims against state and local government employers, private industry, and more.
Our experienced workmans comp lawyers in Marion listen to you and believe that your injuries are valid. We can help shoulder some of the burden 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 need.
Am I Eligible For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Marion?
The laws are different from state to state, but in general you’re 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 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 familiar with all the regulations, rules, and laws associated with the often confusing work comp legal process, so speak with us to learn more now.
Most 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 types of workplace injuries that qualify for workers’ compensation.
- Falls, slips, and trips – This is the number one thing most people think about in regard to a workplace 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 suffered one of these injuries because the employer should have taken steps to prevent this injury, such as fixing broken lights, putting proper safety signs up, non-slip mats, de-icing walkways, etc.
- Contact with an object – This is common in physically-demanding environments with lots of machinery, such as manufacturing, construction, and farming. A person can be hit by a flying, rolling, falling, or swinging 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 exposed wiring, faulty electrical outlets, combustible materials, open flames, and gas lines. 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 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 other cars on the road or machinery. Whether or not this is considered personal injury or work comp will depend on your specific case.
- Overexertion or repetitive stress – If your job involves a lot of pulling, pushing, lifting, throwing, carrying, and holding motions, it can lead to lasting effects 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 – In many cases, 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 manufacturing to corporate offices. 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 injury or disability is often one of the most difficult aspects of victims’ fights for benefits, so it’s crucial 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
- Fill out the paperwork on your behalf to 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
Hire Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in Marion, 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. Since our founding, our mission at Drummond Law has been to help people in Marion get the help they need. To speak to our workers’ compensation lawyers in Marion, IL, for a free case review, please contact us or call 800-842-0426.