Workers Compensation Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois Work Injury Attorney

"When is the right time to hire an Illinois workers' compensation lawyer?"  We got this very good question from a recent caller who was in a car accident about one year ago on the job.

The answer is the right time depends on the facts of your case, but since you pay the same amount for a lawyer no matter when you hire them, there is no reason to do it later rather than sooner.

In this case, the client was hit by a police car and also may have a case against that driver.  The time limits to sue a Government employee are usually one year and some times even six months.  This caller got to us just in time. 

His case is not contested right now, but it would have been helpful if we could have interviewed any witnesses when the accident happened.  We also could have provided help with getting his initial bills paid as that was trouble for him.

The biggest reason to hire an attorney right away is to have your case formally on file with the State. That prevents the insurance company from arguing that you didn't notify anyone in time about your injury and also gets your case assigned to an Arbitrator.  That means that if your benefits are improperly terminated or denied, you will be able to get a hearing much quicker because you will already be assigned to a Judge, your attorney will be (should be) prepared with all of the relevant information about your claim and it allows your lawyer to schedule depositions in a faster fashion.

Often hiring a lawyer is really just like a security blanket at first in case something goes wrong.

As a FYI, a lot of people that call us are worried about their jobs.  Not to say that someone hasn't ever been fired for having a work injury in Illinois, but if they are going to fire you, we think the chances are less if you are in fact represented.  Also please know that we almost never deal directly with the employer, but rather deal with the insurance company as we don't want to make waves that could hurt your career.

We are workers' compensation attorneys that help people with Illinois work injuries anywhere in IL via our statewide network of attorneys.  Contact Us and we will answer your questions or find the right lawyer for your situation.

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This tongue in cheek comment was made by a nice woman that called us venting about her current attorney and how he is doing nothing for her, doesn't return her calls, hasn't been an advocate for her, etc.

No lawyer can truly guarantee  a result, but they certainly can control their effort.  It doesn't take much to pick up the phone and call someone back, answer questions and basically treat someone like they would want to be treated.

Over at the Illinois Workers'  Compensation Commission we see attorneys berate their clients and generally treat them as if they are a nobody.  Of course this isn't everyone or even the majority of lawyers.  Most Illinois work injury attorneys are good people that truly try their best for their clients.  But some are able to treat their clients like garbage and still sleep at night.  I will never understand how a lawyer can turn a deaf ear to a client they vowed to help who is now losing their home or can't get the medical treatment that they desperately need.

The system in Illinois favors injured workers.  If your attorney isn't lazy and the facts are on your side you should almost always win.  Whether it's our firm or someone else representing you, if you don't feel that your lawyer is in your corner (or if you feel that they are so favoring the employer they might be a co-worker!) switch before it's too late.

Sadly, many of the attorneys we hear complaints about are lawyers who seem to be in the pocket of some union stewards.  The union tells the member who to hire and when things don't go right they do nothing about it.  Fortunately for you, you can choose who to hire.

We are workers' compensation attorneys that help people with Illinois work injuries anywhere in IL via our statewide network of attorneys.  Contact us and we will answer your questions or find the right lawyer for your situation.

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1. If your hands, back, arm or whatever is hurting is more than just an ache, get to a doctor.  Often these injuries can be cured with prompt medical care.

2. When you see your doctor make sure that you give a very detailed description of your job activities.  To win a repetitive trauma case like carpal tunnel, herniated disc, De Quervain's, etc. you need an opinion from a credible physician that your job played a role.

3. Inform your employer as soon as possible.  If you don't let your employer know about your problem in time, your case might get dismissed.

4. If you have work restrictions, follow them.

We are workers' compensation attorneys that help people with Illinois work injuries anywhere in IL via our statewide network of attorneys.  Contact us and we will answer your questions or find the right lawyer for your situation.

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