Why Hire a Workers’ Compensation Attorney?
While every qualified worker is entitled to apply for workers’ compensation benefits after a workplace accident, receiving benefits can be a different story. There can be red tape from employers and insurance companies that prevent injured workers from receiving the benefits they rightfully deserve. While reporting a workplace injury and requesting benefits does not require an attorney, seeking legal counsel is in the best interest of any person who is hurt on the job.
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
A government program to assist workers if they are injured at work, workers’ compensation provides benefits to employees who cannot return to their job. Benefits include wage replacement and coverage for medical bills related to the injury. All employers in Illinois are required to have workers’ compensation insurance and refusing to comply results in fees and potential jail time.
If an employer agrees an injury occurred at work, or an injury was minor enough where minimal work was missed, then benefits will likely not be challenging to receive. Benefits for people injured long term, or who experience permanent defects, are especially important. Work accidents can prevent people from returning to their job or decrease their wage-earning potential. These kinds of injuries also have high medical bills, which should be covered by workers’ compensation too.
Employers or their workers' compensation insurance companies can deny claims. An employer can deny that an injury is work-related or claim an injury was pre-existing and does not qualify under workers’ compensation. If a worker cannot return to work after three days following an accident, then temporary disability benefits must begin payment. This can be denied too, but employees must provide an employee with a written reason why.
A person who is injured may not know what their claim is worth. Even if an employee offers compensation, it may not be enough for medical bills or the pain and suffering a worker has faced. Our firm has a high success rate for workers’ compensation cases. One of our clients, an HVAC worker who became permanently disabled was awarded a cash value of $871,651. Insurance companies do not have your best interest in mind, and unless the award seems reasonably unfair, it will be approved by a judge.
Contact an Aurora Workers’ Compensation Attorney
For employees who are severely injured, workers’ compensation is essential to their survival and quality of life. If you have been injured at work and your claim was denied, or your employer retaliates against you, contact an experienced Kane County workers’ compensation lawyer today. Our team will work in your best interest and make sure you receive fair benefits. Call our office at 630-907-0909 to schedule a free consultation.
Source:
https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/iwcc/resources/Pages/Resources-for-Employees.aspx
