If you have suffered an on-the-job injury in Chicago, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Depending on how you got injured, you may also be entitled to additional compensation outside of workers’ comp. But, do you need to hire a lawyer to help you, or is it best if you handle your situation on your own?
The Chicago workplace accident lawyers at Coplan + Crane have helped injured workers throughout Illinois. We know how confusing the legal system can feel after a serious injury, and we are here to help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.
When dealing with an on-the-job injury, there are several ways a lawyer can help you—especially if you will need to miss time from work. Here are 10 reasons why you should contact a lawyer if you have been injured on the job:
If you are eligible for workers’ compensation, you can collect benefits without needing to prove that someone else is to blame for your injury. A Chicago workplace injury lawyer will be able to quickly assess your rights under Illinois’s workers’ compensation law.
If you are eligible for workers’ compensation, you will need to be careful to protect your claim for benefits. Your lawyer can help you with things like reporting your injury, filing your claim on time, and determining where you can go for treatment.
When you have a workers’ compensation claim in Chicago, it is up to you to make sure you receive maximum benefits. Your lawyer will be able to calculate the amount you are entitled to receive so that you do not unknowingly accept less than you deserve.
If it makes sense to settle your workers’ compensation claim, your lawyer can negotiate on your behalf. If you settle, you can’t go back and ask for more, but you also don’t have to worry about your employer’s insurance company terminating your benefits prematurely.
Delays and denials are common with workers’ compensation claims in Chicago. Hiring a lawyer can help mitigate your risk of falling victim to bad-faith insurance tactics, and your lawyer will be able to take appropriate legal action on your behalf if necessary.
In many cases, workers who suffer on-the-job injuries will have claims outside of workers’ comp. If you have a personal injury claim as a result of your injury, your lawyer may be able to help you recover much more for your losses.
While workers’ compensation only covers medical bills and up to two-thirds of your lost wages, personal injury claims can cover all of the costs of an on-the-job injury. By hiring a workplace injury lawyer to represent you, you can make sure you are seeking full compensation for your lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other losses.
When seeking financial compensation for an on-the-job injury, there are several mistakes that can jeopardize your legal rights. Your lawyer will be able to explain the mistakes you need to avoid, and he or she will be able to communicate on your behalf so that you don’t put your claim (or claims) at risk.
Along with workers’ compensation benefits and personal injury damages, injured workers will often have claims under Social Security disability and other programs as well. When seeking multiple types of benefits, you need to be very careful to ensure that you are maximizing your overall financial recovery. In some cases, receiving too much of one type of benefit can reduce (or terminate) your eligibility for another.
Finally, since you can schedule a free initial consultation with a lawyer, it costs nothing to learn what you need to know about protecting your legal rights after an on-the-job injury. You can get free advice so you can make informed decisions, and you can hire a lawyer to represent you going forward if it makes sense to do so.
Have you suffered an on-the-job injury in Chicago? If so, we encourage you to schedule a free initial consultation at Coplan + Crane. We are more than happy to help you understand your situation; and, if you have a case, we can use our experience to help you win the compensation you deserve.
To speak with a Chicago workplace injury lawyer in confidence, call (708) 358-8080 or tell us how we can help online now.
