The threshold for winning benefits in a workers’ compensation claim does not require proof that the employer acted negligently. Yet this does not mean that a claimant should feel comfortable managing the case without help. There are still many ways for insurance carriers to delay and misdirect in order to avoid paying out benefits. Fortunately, a steadfast workers’ compensation attorney is available to assist. There are numerous benefits of a lawyer in an Elgin workers’ compensation case that you should take advantage of.
When someone calls a law firm to discuss a workers’ compensation case, they should expect the firm to provide some basic answers to their questions. A lawyer’s main goal is to reduce the stress and anxiety of someone who comes to them for help. One of the benefits of a local workers’ compensation lawyer is they work on a contingency basis. They do not get paid if they do not win the case. It is in their best interest to provide the best service possible in order to emerge victorious. Therefore, injured workers should not be afraid to retain the services of a lawyer for financial reasons.
If an employer has not reported the injury to their insurance company, a lawyer could assist with that by calling up the carrier and opening the claim independently. If the claim involves applying with the State of Illinois, that assistance could include signing the application for an adjustment of claim and filing it alongside an attorney representation agreement.
Lawyers can make themselves the intermediary, and speak with the insurance companies and their adjusters so that the plaintiff never has to. Insurance entities can be slow in opening and investigating claims which is why it is good to have a lawyer whose main job is to see that the case progresses.
A lawyer has subpoena power, which they could use to receive copies of the injured person’s medical records. A patient has the right to request their own records as well, but having a lawyer request it under subpoena power ensures that the full and complete chart notes will be handed over. This is one of the key benefits of having a workers’ compensation attorney in Elgin.
In addition, workers’ comp lawyers might often see the same insurance companies or insurance adjusters working on multiple claims. Understanding how these individuals operate and knowing how to cut through the red tape can be a huge advantage. That is something that a person handling their own workers’ compensation claim would be unable to utilize.
This is probably the first time that the injured worker has gone through a legal process of this kind. The insurance adjusters would likely try to trick them into accepting a benefit much lower than their injury was worth. Or a worker might focus on an aspect of the case that does not end up being legally relevant. On the other hand, a proper legal team could investigate the matter further and find the right pieces of evidence that could force the carrier to approve a claim and start paying out benefits.
There is no charge for claimants if their case in unsuccessful, so there should be no hesitation in consulting with a lawyer. The benefits of a lawyer in an Elgin workers’ compensation case include familiarity with the law, subpoena power, and being a source for calm in a potentially chaotic legal situation. Reach out today to help secure your right to benefits after a work-related accident.