Getting injured on the job can put a major strain on you financially. In most cases, Illinois workers who suffer on-the-job injuries qualify for workers’ compensation. However, even if you are eligible, your claim may still be denied. If this happens, meet with a workers‘ compensation lawyer in Cicero, as they can appeal your claim denial on your behalf.
More than 6,000 clients have trusted Therman Law to help them with their personal injury cases. If you are unsure of how to proceed after your workers’ comp claim has been denied, we are here to help. For more information, request a free case consultation with a Cicero personal injury lawyer from our team.
Having a Lawyer on Your Side Is a Must if Your Workers’ Compensation Claim in Cicero Is Unsuccessful
Talk with a workers’ compensation attorney in Cicero as soon as you find out your workers’ comp claim has been declined. They will review your claim denial letter with you. In addition, they can answer any questions you have about whether workers’ compensation covers all workers and other topics relating to your case.
A workers’ compensation claim denial can feel like the end of the world, but you don’t have to deal with the aftermath of this rejection alone. Your lawyer can file your appeal in accordance with Illinois law. If warranted, they will negotiate a workers’ comp settlement on your behalf.
The team at Therman Law has obtained over $100 million for our clients. As you weigh the pros and cons of hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer, consider what we bring to your case. Our attorneys know the ins and outs of Illinois’ workers’ comp system. We can position you to get your workers’ comp claim approved promptly. Contact us today to learn more.
You Don’t Have to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim by Yourself
Partner with a Cicero workers’ compensation lawyer if you suffer injuries at work. Do so before you use CompFile to submit your workers’ compensation claim. This gives you access to a legal representative and advocate who can boost your chances of getting the workers’ comp benefits you want.
In Illinois, workers’ compensation insurance is mandatory for most businesses. If you are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, you may have 45 days from the date you are injured to notify your employer about the harm you have suffered. On top of that, you generally have three years from this date to file your workers’ comp claim.
Reporting and filing workers’ comp claims are not the same thing. Your lawyer can make sure you have informed your employer in writing about your on-the-job injuries in alignment with Illinois law. They can retrieve a wide range of evidence to help you show the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC) that your workers’ compensation claim is valid.
The Benefits You Get Through a Workers’ Compensation Claim May Serve You Well for the Foreseeable Future
Your lawyer may advise you to care for the injuries that occurred at work and continue to do so for as long as necessary. Meanwhile, they can work diligently to build your case. They want to make it clear that you should receive a range workers’ comp benefits, such as:
- Medical: These include the costs of appropriate medical care while you treat and recover from your injuries.
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD): If you can’t work due to your injuries, you may qualify for these benefits.
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD): You may receive these benefits if you suffer a permanent partial disability but can still work in some capacity moving forward.
- Permanent Total Disability (PTD): You may get these benefits if you are dealing with a disability that prevents you from working again.
The benefit rates for those who file workers’ compensation claims may vary. Typically, your workers’ comp benefits may be determined based on your average weekly wage (AWW) for the year before you were injured. If your workers’ comp claim is successful, you may be entitled to two-thirds of your AWW.
Workers’ Comp Claims May Be Denied for Many Reasons
If your workers’ compensation claim has been rejected, remember, you can appeal. Your workers’ comp lawyer can give you insights into common reasons why requests for workers’ compensation benefits may be denied. These reasons include:
- You missed the deadline for reporting your workplace injury to your employer.
- You didn’t provide enough evidence to highlight the correlation between your job and your injury.
- Your employer claims you engaged in horseplay or misconduct at work, which led to your injury.
- Your employer claims that you are dealing with a pre-existing medical condition unrelated to your job.
- You didn’t complete your workers’ comp claim paperwork correctly.
Your attorney can share FAQs and other resources with you as you decide what to do after having your workers’ compensation claim denied. If your claim was rejected for any of the reasons above or similar ones, your lawyer may advise you to appeal right away.
Appealing a Denied Workers’ Comp Claim Gives You a Lifeline
Filing an appeal is a great option for you after your workers’ compensation claim has been denied. Your workers’ comp attorney can initiate the appeals process with IWCC. Once your appeal has been submitted, your lawyer may present your case to an arbitrator.
In a workers’ comp arbitration hearing, your lawyer will provide medical records and other proof to explain to an arbitrator why you deserve workers’ compensation benefits. Your lawyer’s collection of evidence makes a difference. If your attorney has a wide range of proof, an arbitrator may be inclined to reverse your claim denial.
Unfortunately, there are times when an arbitrator hears a workers’ comp claim appeal and affirms the original decision. If your first appeal is denied, your lawyer can file a petition for review with the IWCC. This may lead to a hearing in which IWCC commissioners evaluate your request for workers’ comp benefits.
Let Our Cicero Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Develop a Strategy Specifically for Your Case
Therman Law is an Illinois law firm with over 75 years of combined experience on our staff. We can connect you with a Cicero workers’ compensation attorney who will give your case their undivided attention. Allow us to help you with your case. To get started, schedule a free consultation with us.
