Getting injured on the job can be a difficult and stressful time. Not only do you have to tend to your injuries by visiting with doctors and other hospital staff but going through the legal process can be confusing. Hiring a workers’ comp lawyer in Wheaton, IL can help you out with the confusing and difficult process of navigating through the legal system. Lawyers from Therman Law Offices understand how the workers’ compensation process goes and can help you out with your case.
Timelines Involved with a Workers’ Comp Claim
There are timelines in place for how to go about a workers’ comp claim. You will want to notify your employer no more than 45 days after your injury. This notice to your employer is recommended to be done in written format that details where and when exactly your injury took place. Notifying your employer means that you notify HR or a supervisor at your employer. If the company doesn’t take your claim seriously, then that could be the basis of negligence on behalf of your employer or even employer retaliation if they attempt to retaliate you for your workers’ comp claim. Contact a Wheaton, Illinois workers’ comp lawyer for more details and assistance with your case.
Workers’ Compensation Denials
If you have been denied workers’ comp, then there is no reason to panic. This sometimes happens because your claim wasn’t submitted on time, or some key details were missing. A lawyer can help you out with those details and ensure that your case is solid. If you think you were wrongfully denied, then you may need to have a hearing for your case. Our lawyers can help you set up that hearing and prepare for it to get you the compensation that you deserve for your injury.
Common Workplace Injuries
Many injuries happen at the workplace that could be eligible for workers’ compensation. Some of the more common injuries include slip and falls, repetitive motion injuries, poor employer safety practices leading to injury, and more. Labor industries as well as office jobs could also have injuries occur at them. An office worker could get injured from a repetitive motion injury from sitting for long hours and overusing certain muscles for their job. If you have been injured on the job, then discussing the details and how to go forward with your claim with a lawyer from Therman Law Offices will be of great assistance to you. Consult with us today.
The Do’s and Don’ts of a Worker’s Comp Case
Do Contact A Worker’s Comp Lawyer
If you are injured at work, it is very important that you contact a workers comp lawyer in Wheaton, IL. The professionals at Therman Law Offices, LTD will be able to help you navigate the details of your injury. They will be able to help you determine whether or not you have a legitimate worker’s comp case or not. There can be many details and factors which will play into your case and you will want a professional on your side to help you sift through all of this information.
Do Prioritize Your Recovery
Although you may be tempted to focus all of your time and attention on your worker’s comp case, you should remember that your health and recovery are far more important. You will want to follow all of your doctor’s instructions concerning your injuries. You will also want to give yourself plenty of time to recover. This may mean delaying a return to your regular work schedule.
Do Consider Your Employment Situation
Many employees find that following a workers comp case, they wish to move on to another employer. If you are experiencing any type of harassment or mistreatment during your worker’s comp case from your employer or from co-workers, you will want to discuss this with a workers comp lawyer in Wheaton, IL. These professionals will be able to advise you on steps you can take to stop the harassment. If the harassment continues it could also play a role in your court action.
Don’t Settle Without Talking to a Lawyer
Your employer may approach you and offer to settle out of court. It is important to remember that the only way to ensure that you are getting a fair and equitable settlement for your worker’s comp case is to talk with a workers comp lawyer in Wheaton, IL first. You will want to go over all details of a settlement with the lawyer. Remember, that in many cases the only way to truly hold an employer accountable for an injury is through bringing a worker’s comp action against them. Seeing your case through can help enact change in your workplace so that other employees do not suffer in the future.
Recovering from your injury at work will involve many different things. Your medical treatment, your mental health, your finances, and your future career can all be affected by this event. The legal team at Therman Law Offices, LTD is available to help you during this time.
Illinois Workers’ Comp Law Firm
Legal representatives are here to help you out with your case. A workers’ comp lawyer in Wheaton, IL from our firm will listen to your case and learn from you about all of the details. We will then make a strategy going forward with you in order to bring about the maximum benefits and compensation that you deserve as a result of your claim. With our experience and skill, we know that we are the right lawyers for you. Contact Therman Law Offices, LTD today to get your case started.
Signs You May Need a Workers’ Comp Lawyer
If you were recently injured at your job, you might wonder if you should hire a lawyer or not. If your case is fairly simple, you might not need legal representation. However, if your case is more complex, it may be necessary to work with an experienced lawyer. Here are a few signs you may need to hire a workers’ comp lawyer in Wheaton, IL.
- Your employer has denied your claim. Employers deny workers’ compensation claims more frequently than you might think. For example, if your employer believes that your injury did not actually occur at work, he or she can reject your claim. However, just because you receive a rejection, does not mean you have to give up. You can appeal the decision with the assistance of a lawyer.
- The settlement does not cover all your losses. Even if your employer approved your workers’ compensation claim, the settlement might not be sufficient enough to cover the costs of your medical bills and lost wages. In this situation, you would benefit from hiring a skilled workers’ compensation lawyer who can fight to get you a higher settlement.
- You suffered a permanent disability. If your work accident resulted in a permanent disability, you may be entitled to receive a higher settlement. However, disability settlements are very expensive for insurance companies, so they may try hard to get out of paying you what you deserve. That is why it is critical to have a confident lawyer on your side.
- Your employer has retaliated against you. While it’s illegal for employers to retaliate against workers for filing workers’ compensation claims, it does not stop all of them from doing so. If your employer demoted you, reduced your hours or fired you after you filed for benefits, you need a skilled workers’ comp lawyer to stand up for your rights. You don’t have to put up with that kind of treatment.
- A third party contributed to your injury. If a third party was responsible for your workplace accident, you may be able to file a separate lawsuit. For example, if you were driving the company vehicle and another driver hit you, that driver may be held liable for your injuries. A workers’ comp lawyer can help you file a lawsuit against the negligent driver.
Common Misconceptions About Workers’ Compensation
Employers in Illinois are required to carry workers compensation insurance in case their workers get injured on the job. Although workers compensation has been around for quite a while, it is still widely misunderstood. Here are a few misconceptions about workers compensation that you should be aware of.
- If you didn’t get injured on the worksite, you aren’t eligible for benefits. This is one of the most common myths about workers compensation. The reality is that you do not actually have to get hurt on the worksite to file for workers compensation benefits. If you were performing job duties on another site and got injured, you’re still eligible for benefits. For example, if your employer had you go to another business and you suffered an injury there, you can still file a claim.
- If I just started a job, I’m not eligible for workers compensation benefits. Unlike with other benefits, like health insurance, you do not have to wait a certain amount of time to become eligible for workers compensation benefits. You are eligible for these benefits the day you start a job.
- If the accident was my fault, I can’t get workers compensation benefits. Fault is not a factor employers consider when determining your eligibility for workers compensation benefits. Therefore, if you were not paying attention while performing a task and got injured, you can still claim workers compensation. On the other hand, if you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol when the accident occurred, you lose your right to collect benefits.
- Filing for workers compensation can get you fired. Unfortunately, some employees hesitate to file a workers compensation claim because they are afraid of losing their job. However, it is illegal for employers to fire someone for filing a workers compensation claim. If your employer attempts to retaliate against you after you file a claim, let your lawyer know right away.
- If your first claim is denied, that’s it. Believe it or not, many workers compensation claims get denied for one reason or another. If your initial claim gets denied, don’t get discouraged. You have the option of filing an appeal. A skilled workers comp lawyer in Wheaton, IL can help you with the process and improve your chances of getting an approval the second time around.