If you have been injured on the job in Chicago, a workplace injury lawyer may be able to help you pursue financial compensation. You may have a claim for workers’ comp; and, if you don’t (or even if you do), you may have other options available.
Protecting your legal rights after suffering a job-related injury isn’t easy. You need to make the right decisions, and you need to make them before you run out of time to assert your legal rights. As a result, one of the most important steps you can take is to hire an experienced workplace injury lawyer to represent you.
If you’re like many injured workers, you may be wondering: What does a workplace injury lawyer do? Why do you need a lawyer? Is it really worth hiring a lawyer instead of trying to handle your situation on your own?
Here’s what you need to know:
Many workers in Chicago qualify for workers’ compensation benefits when they get injured on the job. Your lawyer can determine if you qualify; and, if so, your lawyer can handle your workers’ comp claim for you.
Your lawyer can also determine if you have a claim outside of workers’ comp. Regardless of whether you qualify for benefits, you could have a personal injury claim as well. If you do, your lawyer can fight to recover just compensation for your emotional distress, pain and suffering, and all of your other injury-related losses.
Whether you have a workers’ compensation claim, a personal injury claim, or both, you need to make sure that you file on time. If you don’t, you will lose your ability to recover the financial compensation you deserve. Your lawyer can explain the deadlines that apply, and your lawyer can help make sure that you do not inadvertently waive your legal rights.
In the vast majority of cases, recovering financial compensation for a workplace injury in Chicago involves dealing with an insurance company—if not multiple insurance companies. Most employers have workers’ compensation insurance, and most other companies have liability insurance that covers nearly all types of accidents. Your lawyer can deal with the insurance company(ies) for you so that you don’t unknowingly accept less than you are owed.
With an experienced workplace injury lawyer on your side, you can be certain that you are seeking the full workers’ compensation benefits and/or personal injury damages you deserve. Don’t forget: Once you settle, your case is over. You can’t go back and ask for more.
After calculating the value of your claim(s), your lawyer can negotiate for a favorable settlement on your behalf. Your lawyer can help you decide when (and if) to settle, and then your lawyer can review the terms of your settlement agreement before you sign.
If your employer’s insurance company denies your workers’ comp claim or you don’t receive a fair settlement offer, your lawyer can take legal action to protect you. There are special procedures for handling workers’ comp denials in Illinois; and, if you have a personal injury claim outside of workers’ comp, your lawyer can take your claim to court.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, your lawyer can help you feel confident in the outcome of your case. If you are struggling to cope with the physical and financial effects of a serious work injury, you need to know that you are doing everything possible to protect yourself. Your lawyer can guide you through the recovery process step-by-step; and, at the end of the process, you can rest easy knowing that you gave yourself the best opportunity to recover the full compensation you deserve.
If you have questions about hiring a workplace injury lawyer in Chicago, we invite you to contact us to learn more. To schedule a FREE, no-obligation consultation at Coplan + Crane as soon as possible, give us a call at (708) 358-8080 or tell us how we can reach you online today. We serve clients throughout Illinois, including Chicago, Oak Park, Rockford, and other areas.
