Do You Need to Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, or Will Your Workers’ Compensation Claim Resolve Itself?

The idea behind having insurance is “better safe than sorry.”  Healthy people often pay thousands of dollars per year for health insurance, because, in the long term, it is less expensive than having to bear the cost of a major medical treatment in the event that one is necessary.  In situations where insurance coverage is required, though, the underlying principle is “stuff happens.” For example, business owners are required to carry liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance because the likelihood of mistakes and accidents happening is great enough that it would cost more time and money to file lawsuits for all of them than it would to set aside money to pay insurance claims for them.  

Of course, the settlements offered by insurance companies often are not enough to give injured people the compensation they need. If you have received a check from your car insurance company after filing a claim related to a car accident, it probably seemed like too little too late. Likewise, the settlements offered by the state’s workers’ compensation division are often not enough to allow injured workers to cope financially with serious injuries.  In general, if the injury is severe, it is best to hire a workers’ compensation attorney.

When to Hire an Attorney

In the case of injuries that only keep you out of work for a few pay periods, it is usually enough just to notify your employer and let your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance process the claim.  For many workers, missing even a few days of work or having to pay even modest amounts in medical bills represents a financial hardship, and the workers’ compensation settlement helps them recover those costs.  When the situation is more complicated than that, it is a good idea to consult a professional attorney, even if you do not end up filing a lawsuit. These are some situations in which a workers’ compensation lawyer can help you.

• You received a settlement offer, but the amount offered is not sufficient.
• Your injury is serious enough that you will never again be able to perform the duties of the job where you were injured.
• You believe that you qualify for a permanent partial disability award.  In other words, even if you are eventually able to return to your current job, the work injury has permanently affected your health.
• Your employer disputes the amount of money offered to you by the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
• You want a lawyer to help you understand the process of requesting and receiving workers’ compensation benefits, and you want to make sure you are getting the correct amount.

Contact Walton Telken Bragee Attorneys at Law About Workers’ Compensation Cases

If you have suffered a serious injury at work, it is a good idea to meet with a lawyer to make sure you understand your rights and options.  Contact Walton Telken Bragee Attorneys at Law in the Edwardsville, Illinois area to see if you should file a workers’ compensation lawsuit.