Workplace injuries can occur in an instant, but you’ll normally have about 45 days to report the injury to your employer. Once you have reported any injuries, you may wish to seek legal help, which is how we can get involved.
Hiring a work injury attorney can also mean the difference between receiving sufficient compensation or none at all, so enlisting the help of an experienced attorney in Joliet is in your best interests as soon as you wish to file a claim.
Common Workplace Injuries to Know About
Injuries on the job can happen in seconds, but they may alter your life within that amount of time or in the years following them. You should act quickly after experiencing workplace injuries to help ensure you receive the proper settlement.
Some injured employees may not believe that their injuries are eligible for compensation, but they may be surprised when they learn more about commonplace injuries and compare them with theirs.
Some of the most common workplace injuries include:
- Caught in/compressed by: Injuries that typically take place in factories or involve heavy machinery.
- Fall to a lower level: Falls down stairs, off roofs, or off ladders.
- Overexertion: One of the most common types of workplace injuries, these involve lifting, carrying, holding, pushing, and pulling.
- Traffic incidents: Accidents involving the use of company vehicles.
- Repetitive motion: Injuries occurring due to repeating the same motion over and over again.
- Slips and falls: Injuries caused by slipping on wet, slippery, or uneven flooring, or on uncleared walkways during winter.
- Workplace assaults: When one or more workers is assaulted at work.
- Struck by an object: Injuries caused by falling objected or objects dropped by someone else.
- Struck against an object: Injuries involving doors, windows, walls, etc.
Common Locations for Job Site Accidents in Joliet
Certain work environments put workers more at risk than others, including:
Construction Accidents
Work injuries frequently occur at construction sites. There are many different hazards present at these locations in many instances. Heavy machinery, construction materials, tools, and platforms at great heights can all cause injury to employees if sufficient safety measures aren’t in place.
Factory Injuries
Factories are also susceptible to workplace hazards if proper precautions aren’t taken. Employees could sustain injury from heavy machinery such as forklifts and loaders, manufacturing systems, falling objects, and other potential dangers.
Why You Should Consider Hiring a Work Accident Attorney in Joliet
Hiring a work injury attorney in Joliet can help you get the outcome you want from your case. A reputable work accident attorney will also be able to provide a free consultation to determine if you have a case and ensure you understand the process from beginning to end.
However, even if you do hire an attorney to work with you and seek compensation, it’s important to understand the various aspects of a workers’ compensation case.
What You Need to Learn About Workers’ Compensation Cases
Though hiring experienced professionals to help you with filing a claim can simplify the process, you should do what you can to learn more about every aspect of your case. The things you should learn about to prepare your claim include the paperwork you’re required to retain and the statute of limitations around your case.
You should also have a clear idea of what type of compensation you seek, which may include medical bill reimbursement, permanent injury, lost wages, and more. If you’re unsure about any aspect of your case, you should speak with a knowledgeable work injury attorney.
The Process of Filing a Claim
A workers’ compensation lawyer can help you understand the entire claims process.
The first step of the process involves notifying your employer of your injury within seven days of sustaining it. If you require medical attention, medical staff may direct you to specific facilities approved by your company.
Upon receiving reports from employers and doctors, insurance carriers will open a benefits claim. If they find the claim to be compensable, a discussion will take place between the carrier, injured parties, and their employers over the appropriate payout for employees while they recover out of work. Rejected claims are still appealable, however.
About Vasilatos Injury Law
If you need trustworthy legal assistance with your work injury case in Joliet, you can rely on the skilled work injury attorneys at Vasilatos Injury Law. We’re dedicated to providing top legal representation to Joliet residents along with people throughout Chicagoland and the rest of Illinois.
We concentrate in work injury, personal injury, and social security disability, with the ability to communicate with clients via home, hospital, or phone consultations for maximum convenience.