If you sustain an injury while at work, you might wonder if you will have to hire an attorney. Whether you do or not depends on a great deal on the extent of the injury and whether there are any unique circumstances or complexities.
No need to hire an attorney:
More often than not you will not have to hire a Chicago workers comp attorney if:
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The injuries were minor
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You missed little time off work due to the injury
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Your employer takes responsibility for the injury, and
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There is no pre-existing condition to contend with
When you should hire a lawyer:
When your case becomes complicated then you should hire a Chicago workers comp attorney. There are several situations than can arise where legal assistance might be necessary.
Denial of claim: It is not unusual for insurers and employers to deny a bona-fide claim and a great number of these workers simply accept the fact without appealing. Hiring a workers comp attorney will give you a far better chance at arriving at a settlement.
Serious medical issues: If your injury is such that you cannot return to the job you once held or you simply can’t perform any work you may be entitled to lifetime compensation for lost wages. As claims such as this will cost an insurance company a great deal of money they will fight hard to avoid paying what you deserve.
Retaliation: If your employer fires you, demotes you, reduces you wages or cuts your number of hours this can be construed as a form of discrimination simply because you filed a claim.
Although the workers comp system has good intentions it often works more for the benefit of insurers and employers than it does for workers injured on the job. If you have any doubt about the way you are being treated you should consult with a seasoned workers comp attorney.
If you believe your claim for workers comp is not being handled correctly then you should consult with a Chicago workers comp attorney. You are invited to a free case evaluation when you contact Chicago Personal Injury Attorney Shea Law Group.
