Workers' Compensation Claims in Illinois

It can take decades after exposure to asbestos for symptoms of mesothelioma to appear. Initial symptoms, such as dry coughing, wheezing, and chest pain are often mistaken for other ailments. That’s why if you were a firefighter, construction worker, miner, mechanic, machine operator, or worked in any other industry where asbestos is common, you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to visit a medical professional for an evaluation. 

First, your doctor will use your complete medical history to evaluate your symptoms and risk factors. Using that information, your doctor may refer you for mesothelioma testing. A biopsy (a procedure to remove small portions of tissue for examination in a lab) is the only way to test for mesothelioma. Depending on which part of the body is affected, your doctor will select between different biopsy procedures, including:

• Needle Biopsy: In a needle biopsy, a long, hollow needle is passed through the chest and into the pleura, a membrane near the lung. If the sample isn’t big enough to make a diagnosis, your doctor may elect for a more invasive procedure.
• Endoscopic Biopsy: In an endoscopic biopsy, a thin, tubelike instrument called an endoscope is used to look inside the body. Endoscopes have different names depending on where in the body they are used: a thoracoscope is used to examine the chest, a laparoscope is used to look inside the abdomen, and a mediastinoscope is used to view the tissues and lymph nodes between the lungs.
• Surgical Biopsy: In a surgical biopsy, your doctor will make an incision in the chest or abdomen to remove a large tumor sample or the entire tumor.

At Morgan & Morgan, our asbestos lawyers specialize in mesothelioma claims. The price of pain is infinite. However, compensation can alleviate the financial burden brought on by mesothelioma and allow you to focus on what matters most. While we can’t reverse the damage inflicted by the company that subjected you to asbestos, we may be able to hold them accountable for their actions and fight for you and your family’s financial future. All law firms are not the same. When it comes to dealing with large companies, size matters. With over 800 attorneys nationwide and billions recovered on behalf of our clients, we have the resources to provide you the legal representation you deserve. Schedule a free case evaluation now to see what Morgan & Morgan can do for you.

Workers’ comp injuries can happen in any injury in any industry and for any person within a company. Even someone walking by a construction site to get to an administrative position at that company could be seriously injured on the job. Vehicle accidents can happen, fires and explosions, falling objects, scaffolding accidents, and so many more. Someone who is exposed to strange substances on the job such as asbestos, or other known toxins can develop long-term and painful illnesses. All of these represent a substantial change to the worker's life and their ability to earn a living, so Illinois workers’ comp law enables these employees to recover compensation by filing a timely claim. 

One of the most important things that an injured or ill employee must do immediately after an incident is to inform their employer about the accident. Failing to notify your employer immediately about the incident could bar you from recovering the compensation you need. 

You should also attend any and all medical appointments scheduled for you on behalf of the workers’ comp insurance or your employer's physician. You do still maintain the right to visit with your own physician for care, but you should not do so at the expense of missing out on attending important appointments, treatment, meetings, and more with a workers’ comp doctor. This is because the workers’ comp doctor's records will be used to determine whether or not you've sustained a workplace injury and will be a substantial part of the evidence used to approve or deny your claim.

Illinois workers’ comp is a no-fault law, meaning that it is not your responsibility as a victim to show that anyone was negligent if you are harmed on the job.

If you need medical treatment for an illness or injury associated with your workplace, 100% of your care should be paid for. No out-of-pocket expenses or co-pays should apply.

If your case is denied and you need to move forward with an appeal, many people choose to work with a workers’ compensation lawyer in Illinois to increase their chances of success. At Morgan & Morgan, our Fee Is Free until we win. That means that our firm works on a contingency fee basis and is only paid after a successful recovery of compensation.

If you've been hurt on the job, your employer cannot discriminate against you, such as demoting you or making other threats against you.  Retaliation against employees who have been hurt in workplace accidents is illegal, and this may prompt you to open a separate lawsuit with the help of your workers’ comp lawyer in Illinois. If you're already dealing with these consequences, make sure that you discuss the benefits of your case with your attorney and the concerns you have around retaliation and other negative actions your employer might have taken. There is a lot at stake with a workplace accident, so make sure you have consulted with a qualified lawyer as soon as you can after you've been hurt.

At Morgan & Morgan, we know that this can easily feel like too much to think about, but it's also why we rely on our own experience to  help you file for the benefits you need. You are not alone in this process. We'll be there to help you present the right evidence to show why you deserve to get workers' comp benefits and any associated long-term ratings for permanent injuries. 

Sadly, many people see that their workers' comp claim is denied right off the bat. Know that this does not mean that your case is over. If your claim gets denied, your case is not over. In fact, you might be able to work with an attorney to file a claim as soon as you receive the denial. Your lawyer might also be able to tell you more about why your initial case was denied and what evidence can support your claim. 

If you're injured because of an accident or you're helping a family member who has survived such an incident, you deserve to know what to expect and how to support your claim from day one. Your new schedule is filled with doctor's visits and reminders to take medicine, so you don't need to worry about making sure the paperwork on your workers' comp forms is right. Turn these tasks over to a qualified workers' comp lawyer in Illinois. Your attorney will move your case forward and help keep you up to date about what's happening. 

If your claim is denied, time is of the essence because you'll need to appeal as soon as you can. You can't ignore this situation or give up. Contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation to learn more about your options.