Illinois Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

If you’re injured on the job, you’re not only saddled with medical expenses but can also face lost income, and the results can be bleak. Workers’ compensation insurance is designed to protect employees who are injured on the job, and seeking the compensation to which you are entitled is the surest means of protecting your legal rights and supporting your most complete recovery. Turn to an experienced Southern Illinois Workers’ compensation attorney for the skilled legal guidance you’re looking for.

Workers’ Compensation Basics

Workers’ compensation insurance is intended to balance the rights and best interests of employers and employees, and as a result, both sides face pros and cons. Employers are required to purchase workers’ compensation insurance to cover their employees in the event they’re injured in the course of their work.

While injured employees are covered, they relinquish the right to sue their employers for negligence – in personal injury cases.

Although employees are covered for the losses they suffer as a result of injuries on the job, their compensation is less comprehensive than it would be under personal injury law. The basic elements of coverage under workers’ compensation include the following:

Injuries at Work

The kinds of injuries that are commonly sustained at work vary considerably, and while some jobs are more dangerous than others, virtually any work setting can lead to injury-causing accidents – including offices. Common kinds of accidents on the job include all the following:

Slip and fall accidents
Injuries caused by falling objects
Cuts and burns
Injuries caused by office equipment
Injuries caused by inadequate lighting
Injuries caused by overly slippery, uneven, or otherwise dangerous flooring
Injuries caused by repetitive motion

Construction Work and Workers’ Compensation

One of the most dangerous fields out there is construction work, and workers’ compensation claims are not uncommon. OSHA has identified four of the deadliest categories of construction accidents, which include the following:

Falls, which are especially dangerous from heights, such as from ladders or scaffolding on the construction site
Accidents that involve being struck by something, such as by a falling tool, by falling debris, by machinery, by a vehicle, or by another form of heavy equipment
Accidents that involve being caught in between two unyielding objects or being caught in something, such as a trench or piece of heavy machinery
Electrocutions, which are often fatal

Construction workers face many risk factors in the course of their work, and their workers’ compensation claims tend to be large and complex.

When an Injured Employee Can File a Lawsuit

Injured workers are entitled to benefits regardless of fault – but the benefits are limited and often do not cover victims’ full range of losses like a personal injury claim could. In some cases, victims can sue after a work-related accident, such as when the accident was the result of a third party. For example, if you were injured by a negligent driver while you were at work, you could file a claim against that driver.

The damages you can seek in a personal injury lawsuit include all the following:

The Insurance Company’s Position

The workers’ compensation insurance provider that handles your claim is paid to compensate you for your covered losses, but its priority is profits, which means its goal is limiting your settlement. In fact, there are several common tactics that you should be aware of.

An Early Settlement Offer

If you’re offered an early settlement, it may be an attempt to finalize your claim before the full extent of your injuries has been determined. It’s ill-advised to accept a settlement offer prior to carefully discussing the matter with a dedicated workers’ compensation attorney who is up to speed with the circumstances of your case. Once accepted, you’ll have no further legal recourse in relation to fair compensation for the losses you’ve sustained.

An Early Claim Denial

The workers’ comp insurance company may deny your claim out of hand, which can be especially discouraging. If this happens to you, however, it’s important to know that it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the end of the line for your claim. Insurance coverage is regulated by strict laws, and there are further steps you can take. Ultimately, the law – and not the insurance company – will determine if you’re entitled to coverage.

Delaying or Overcomplicating the Claims Process

While workers’ compensation is designed specifically to speed up the claims process for injured employees, some providers, nevertheless, drag out or overcomplicate things to the degree that injured claimants are inclined to give up.

Having a workers’ compensation lawyer in your corner can mean the difference between obtaining just compensation and failing to do so.

Taking Steps to Protect Your Claim

The accident that caused you to be injured is as unique as your workers’ compensation claim, but there are certain steps every claimant can take to help ensure an advantageous outcome. These include:

Do not wait to seek the medical care you need. A seemingly minor injury can quickly progress into something far more serious, and early diagnosis correlates closely with improved prognosis.
Follow your doctor’s advice carefully. This is the best way to protect your health and well-being and also indicates that you take your injuries seriously and that the insurance company should follow suit.
Work with a trusted workers’ compensation attorney from the outset. They will communicate and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf while building your strongest claim and helping you make the right decisions for you throughout the legal process.
Don’t give the insurance company a reason to doubt the veracity of your claim. They are adept at twisting statements and social media posts, which makes limiting your comments and taking a break from social media in the interim an excellent choice.

It’s Time to Consult with an Experienced Southern Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney

If you’ve been injured on the job, obtaining just compensation is critical to your ability to fully recover. The workers’ comp lawyers at Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. – proudly serving Southern and Central Illinois – are well prepared to zealously advocate for a claim resolution that supports your brightest future, and we have the experience, legal insight, and drive to help keep your claim moving effectively and efficiently forward. To learn more about what we can do to help you, please don’t wait to contact or call us at 1-618-277-7740 today.