So what can Chicago workmans comp lawyers do for you?
The primary responsibility of workers’ compensation lawyer is to assist injured workers with filing and litigating claims and help insurance companies mitigate their exposure and defend workers’ compensation claims.
When a workman’s comp lawyer is representing a claimant, he or she answers client questions, guide him or her through the workers’ compensation process, contact medical providers, assist the injured worker with workers’ compensation benefits, complete paperwork relating to the claims, represent the interests of the claimant at hearings, mediations, and other proceedings, and negotiate settlements on behalf of the claimant.
While helping insurance companies, workmans comp lawyer represent the interests of the employer or insurer at hearings, trials, mediations, arbitrations, and other proceedings, communicate with claims representatives, negotiate settlements on behalf of the insurance company, assist with the investigation of accidents and problem areas, and compile and submit reports required by company management.
Now let’s understand in detail what workers’ compensation lawyers can do for you.
Defend your rights
Workers’ compensation is a public sponsored scheme that protects both employee and employer. By agreeing to receive workers’ compensation, employees or workers also agree to give up their right to sue their employer for negligence, while employers consent to a guaranteed compensation, avoiding the potential danger of a large-scale negligence lawsuit. But things are not as straightforward as it looks. Many times employers deny workers’ claims and do not pay benefits promptly, and there are many workers also who planning to sue their employer falsely. In either case, the dispute is unavoidable, so one needs the help of workmans comp lawyer to defend one’s rights.
Handle paperwork
Any dispute that goes into the hands of the court requires handling an extensive amount of paperwork. And in case of worker’s compensation, a claimant has to deal with both the insurance company and employer. While filing claims to the insurance company, they want concrete evidence for everything such as medical costs, wages lost due to injury, and loss of earning in the future because of injury. Your attorney makes sure you file all the necessary forms and provide evidence for your claims. Your attorney is responsible for complete paperwork relating to the claim and ensuring that you sign the final settlement document after reviewing it.
Determine the value of the claim
Your workmans comp lawyer helps you determine the right of claim. A workmans comp lawyer understands the legal framework of personal injury law and workers’ compensation law. You may not consider all the factors while calculating the value of claim and devalue your claim, but Chicago workmans comp lawyers understand how to calculate the claim considering various factors including medical costs associated with treatment, wages lost as you had to take time off from work, lost earnings as a result of your injuries, and the impact of injuries on your life. Also, they understand how insurance companies process claims, so they determine the value claim in such a way that you get fair reimbursement.
Negotiate with the insurance company
Every insurance company has a team of expert lawyers and adjusters who are employed there to save the company’s money. So when you file a claim and sit with the adjuster of the insurance company, there are probable chances that you will not get the desired reimbursement. They will try to deny your claims, devalue your injuries in attempts to pay you less, prove that you played a role in the accident’s occurrence, blame your negligence, blame your injuries on pre-existing conditions, and use what you say against you to limit your payment. So it is best that you hire an expert lawyer as you are going to deal with experts. It will help you achieve fair negotiation.
Apart from these duties if your case requires trials or hearing, your Chicago workmans comp lawyers will represent you in the court as well.