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Princeton, IL Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Princeton Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

As you head off to work each day, the last thing you want to worry about is the possibility of getting hurt on the job. Unfortunately, this is a reality for many people. While receiving workers’ compensation benefits should be straightforward, there are instances where complications arise, leading to denials.

Whether you’re faced with a denied claim or don’t know how to navigate the process of obtaining benefits, seeking help from an experienced Princeton, IL workers’ compensation lawyer is vital.

At Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP, we recognize the challenges and hardships these situations present for workers and their families. Dealing with an injury and the resulting lost income can be incredibly stressful, and any delays in the process only add to the burden. Contact our office for a consultation if you need assistance with your workers’ compensation benefits.

Workers’ Compensation Qualifications in Illinois

Princeton is home to numerous manufacturing companies and healthcare facilities. No matter where you work, whether at an industrial site or office building, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if you are hurt.

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act extends coverage for injured workers. Most Illinois employees, including those hired full-time or part-time, are eligible to receive compensation for a work-related injury or illness. However, self-employed individuals and volunteers do not qualify for these benefits unless they have their own coverage.

For a person to qualify for workers’ compensation, the injury or illness must be work-related. Some scenarios can include:

  • Repetitive use of a body part at work
  • Strokes or heart attacks due to job activities
  • Physical problems or illnesses as a result of work-related duties
  • Pre-existing conditions exacerbated by job duties

Additionally, receiving medical care from approved professionals is a requirement for workers’ compensation. A worker will receive payment for medical costs related to job-related injuries and illnesses.

Keep in mind that some injuries are not covered under workers’ compensation, such as injuries suffered at recreational events like company gatherings, unless the employer requires attendance.

The specific circumstances of each workplace injury can vary, and each of these can impact the outcome of the case. If you would like to learn if you qualify for workers’ compensation, reach out to the team at Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP.

Types of Available Benefits

Illinois workers’ compensation benefits support employees suffering from work-related injuries or diseases. When a worker is injured or has an illness, medical treatment is a necessity. Workers’ compensation benefits can be used to pay for hospital stays, medications, surgeries, and physical therapists. If the treatment was needed to help the worker recover, then it should be covered under these benefits.

Sometimes, if a person is not able to fully recover and return to work, they could qualify for:

  • Temporary total disability benefits for lost wages.
  • Temporary partial disability benefits for reduced earning capacity.
  • Permanent partial disability benefits for permanent disabilities affecting earning capacity.
  • Permanent total disability benefits for those permanently unable to work.

Vocational rehabilitation and maintenance benefits are available to employees who need assistance returning to work or finding new work due to injury or disease. These benefits can help cover the costs of retraining or job placement services.

In unfortunate situations where an employee passes away from their work-related injury or disease, their dependents may be eligible for death/survivors’ benefits.

What To Do If You Are Injured on the Job

If you have been hurt on the job, you will need to take specific steps to receive workers’ compensation. First, you will need to report the injury to a supervisor within 45 days of the date of the injury. The longer you wait, the more chance of a denial from the employer’s insurance company. No matter the type of injury, make sure to report it to a supervisor.

Documentation is also necessary. You might want to take a photo of your injuries or the location of the accident. Also, you may want to inform coworkers that you have been injured. They may be required to give a witness statement later. You will also want to ask for any documentation of your ancestry from your employer, which can be helpful for your case.

Seeking medical care is another vital step. Once again, the longer you wait to seek medical care, it can call into question the severity of the injury and whether it occurred at the job site. After receiving treatment, you will want to make sure that your employer starts the process for a workers’ compensation claim.

You might want to consult with a workplace injury attorney during this time. They can represent you so you can have a more likely outcome of success. Reach out to Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP to see how we can assist with your claim.

What to Do If You Have a Denied Claim

According to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, over 91% of all workers qualify for benefits. But that doesn’t mean that denials are not possible.

When a workers’ compensation claim is denied in Illinois, it can be a challenging situation for you and your family. You might be counting on those benefits to help pay off medical bills and assist with lost wages. There are a few steps that can be taken to appeal the decision.

Denials are often due to insufficient medical evidence supporting the injury or illness. Workers’ compensation claims in Illinois require medical evidence linking the injury to the job duties. The claim may be denied if you have incomplete records or fail to clearly establish this connection.

Many times, this can happen if the injured worker does not immediately seek medical treatment after the incident or if the medical documentation is incomplete or inconsistent.

Insurance companies also use a few tactics to deny claims. For instance, they may:

  • Request recorded statements from you
  • Assign nurse case managers to oversee the medical treatment
  • Conduct surveillance to investigate your activities
  • Request independent medical examinations to obtain an alternative medical opinion

While these tactics help to ensure that they make accurate and fair decisions when evaluating claims, they can also stall your payout. In turn, you can continue to struggle with your finances while the insurance company takes its time to make a decision.

If your claim is denied, some steps can be taken to appeal the decision. Connecting with a Princeton, IL workers’ compensation lawyer to assist you may help.

The process may involve arbitration. At this formal meeting, an independent third party reviews the case and makes a decision. If the arbitration is unsuccessful, the next step is to file an appeal with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. The IWCC will review the case and make a final decision.

If the decision from the IWCC is still unfavorable, you can take the case to court. In any of these instances, you will want to get assistance from a Princeton, IL, workers’ compensation lawyer. They can help you determine the reason for the denial and take the steps to get the benefits that you deserve.

Other Legal Options in Illinois

In most cases, workers’ compensation is considered a remedy in lieu of pursuing a lawsuit. However, there are a few instances when you can take additional legal action.

If your injury occurs in the workplace due to a third-party contractor, you may have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. Workers’ compensation provides for medical care and lost wages. Unfortunately, they do not offer reimbursement for other noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering. A personal injury lawsuit can help you collect those damages beyond the standard workers’ compensation.

Also, if your injury results from a defective product, you might be able to make a product liability claim against the manufacturer. In this scenario, you can get compensation for the harm suffered due to the faulty product.

When you talk to a workers’ compensation lawyer, you can determine whether you qualify for these additional benefits.

Reach Out to Our Experienced Workers’ Compensation Team

Whether you have issues seeking workers’ compensation benefits or need to know more about other legal options, you need a skilled team on your side. At Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP, we can assist with your claim.

Contact our Princeton, IL workers’ compensation lawyer to learn more about your potential legal options. Schedule a consultation with our legal professionals today.

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