Every workplace poses risks to employees. Dangerous conditions and events may result in injuries that require extensive medical attention and could keep an employee off the job for an extended period. Thankfully, state law requires every employer with at least three or more workers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. However, insurance companies do not always grant payments to injured workers. Therefore, employees must follow the proper procedures to protect their legal rights after a workplace injury.
A Shorewood workers’ compensation lawyer may be able to help injured workers to obtain the benefits that they deserve. Additionally, a skilled injury attorney can evaluate denials or benefit offers to determine if they meet a person’s needs and fight for your legal rights following an on-the-job injury or illness.
Workers’ compensation insurance provides payments for any injuries or illnesses resulting from a person’s job duties. These plans can provide several benefits, including the following:
Employees can begin a workers’ comp claim by notifying their workplace of the incident. According to 820 ILCS 305/6, workers must provide this notice within 45 days from the date of injury. A skilled attorney in Shorewood could provide more information about the legal basis for a workers’ compensation claim during a consultation.
After any denial of benefits, all employees have the right to ask the Workers’ Compensation Commission to adjudicate the decision. When an employee files an appeal, the Board will assign a judge and a hearing date. However, many claims do not get to this point.
The Board may require the employee and insurance company to attend status calls to settle the claim without forcing the Commission to get involved. A seasoned lawyer in Shorewood could help represent the interests of workers during these hearings.
It is only if the mediation sessions fail that a formal trial will take place before an Arbitrator. Both sides will have the opportunity to introduce evidence concerning the extent of an injury and how it was connected to the job. These sessions follow the formal rules of evidence, but a legal representative could help to present a convincing case on behalf of an injured worker.
Finally, an employee who does not receive the desired result after the trial retains a final right of appeal. There are processes available through the Commission and in appellate courts that could help affected workers obtain the benefits they deserve.
Every worker who suffers an injury while doing their job has the right to demand workers’ compensation benefits. These payments include the costs of all necessary medical care, wage reimbursement, and settlements for permanent disabilities.
That said, insurance companies may deny benefits if workers cannot connect their injury to their job duties. However, in these cases, employees could pursue an appeal with the Workers’ Compensation Commission. Working with a Shorewood workers’ compensation attorney could help increase your chances of success. However, the time to request an appeal may be running short, so contact a Shorewood workers’ compensation lawyer today to get started.
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