Helping You With Your Workers’ Compensation Claim

The aftermath of a work injury can be overwhelming. While you are struggling to recover from your injury and make ends meet, workers’ compensation insurance companies will often find ways to delay processing your claim. They will often deny benefits that you need to cover medical bills and time lost at work. It is important that you have skilled representation on your side.

At Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C., we have more than 35 years of legal experience securing financial support for clients with work-related injuries and disabilities. From our office in Belleville, Illinois, our workers’ compensation lawyers help injured workers throughout central and southern Illinois, as well as the St. Louis, Missouri, area.

We represent a diverse range of clients affected by accidents in workplaces, including offices, industrial factories, construction sites and medical facilities. Our attorneys can help you file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits or resolve any issues that have risen with an ongoing claim. We have helped many injured people and their families secure the compensation they need to return to their normal lives.

We have extensive experience handling all types of workplace accidents and injuries, including:

• Barge injuries and accidents under the Jones Act
• Highway construction accidents
• Industrial accidents
• Railroad injuries and accidents under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA)

Protecting Your Rights After A Work Injury

Sometimes, your employer may try to intimidate you into not filing a workers’ comp claim, or your employer may try to force you to return to work before you are physically ready. We can put employers on notice and let them know they are financially and legally liable for retaliatory acts directed toward employees who are exercising their legal rights.

In addition, workers’ compensation insurance may attempt to deny your claim on a technicality or for lack of medical documentation. It is not uncommon for people to simply give up after a denied claim.

Our lawyers will assist you in pursuing your rights after a claim is denied. With your health on the line, we are committed to helping you recover the workers’ compensation benefits you need to cover medical treatment and make the fullest recovery possible. We can also help you explore any other disability benefits available to you.

Read our workers’ compensation FAQ below for answers to some common questions about work injury claims in Illinois.

Answers To Common Workers’ Compensation Questions

After a workplace accident, you probably have many questions about your medical treatment, finances and legal rights. If our FAQ does not answer your question, you can schedule a free initial consultation to speak with one of our lawyers at our Belleville office. We will devote our time to helping you understand your rights so we can move forward with your case.

Is my injury eligible for workers’ compensation benefits?

With a few exceptions, most injuries incurred on the job are compensable under Illinois workers’ compensation laws. These include accidents occurring at on-site and off-site locations, as long as you were performing work activities related to your job.

What can Illinois workers’ compensation cover?

Workers in Illinois can receive any of the following benefits:

• Medical care: Any doctor visits, therapies, medical procedures, cures or relief that help workers recover from their injury.
• Temporary total disability: Compensates workers who cannot perform any aspect of their job for a temporary period.
• Temporary partial disability: Gives workers partial compensation for recovery. Workers on temporary partial disability usually still perform what’s called “light duty” work – what light duty work looks like can depend on your job duties.
• Permanent partial disability: Provides workers with permanent compensation even if they return to work.
• Permanent total disability: Fully compensates workers who can no longer perform their job.
• Death benefits: Provides a worker’s family with compensation if they die due to an on-the-job injury.

No person’s circumstances are the same. Speak with one of our attorneys to see how these compensation options apply to your situation.

What should I do after a workplace accident?

Here are a few actions you can take:

1. Notify your employer about your injury within 45 days
2. Seek medical attention as soon as you can

Once you gather all the appropriate documents, you can start the claim filing process with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.

Learn more about what to do after getting hurt on the job by checking out our blog: The Importance of reporting your work injury ASAP in Illinois.

Can my employer deny my workers’ compensation claim in Illinois?

While employers have a duty of care to provide workers’ comp to employees for on-the-job injuries, there are some instances where they can legally deny your claim. An employer in Illinois can typically deny your workers’ compensation claim if:

• Your injury didn’t happen on the job or on a site where the work was being performed
• Your injury was willfully negligent
• You didn’t report your injury within Illinois’ statute of limitations

Employers can reject workers’ compensation claims for many reasons. However, there can be instances where an employer’s denial may not be legitimate. We can help establish the legitimacy of your employer’s denial.

Can I see my own doctor?

Your employer doesn’t need to approve which providers you can see. Illinois law lets you choose your own doctor. That way, you can seek immediate medical attention for your injury.

Do I need a lawyer?

Some attorneys insist you need them for a work injury claim. However, we know from experience this is not always the case. We may find you can easily resolve your claim by yourself. Or, we may advise you to wait and see how your claim develops. You can speak with one of our experienced attorneys at no cost to get a professional opinion.

Injured at Work? Don’t Wait. Call For A Free Consultation.

If you have been injured while working, you need to adhere to time-sensitive legal requirements or you could jeopardize your chances of obtaining compensation for these injuries.

For experienced help with the confusing workers’ compensation process, contact us for a free initial consultation at our office in St. Clair County. You may call 618-215-2412 or 866-223-2525 toll free to speak with a member of our firm and start protecting your rights.